Genesis 27:19

Authorized King James Version

And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יַֽעֲקֹ֜ב
And Jacob
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
אָבִ֗יו
H1
unto his father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#5
אָֽנֹכִי֙
i
#6
עֵשָׂ֣ו
I am Esau
esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity
#7
בְּכֹרֶ֔ךָ
thy firstborn
first-born; hence, chief
#8
עָשִׂ֕יתִי
I have done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#9
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ
according as thou badest
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#11
אֵלָ֑י
near, with or among; often in general, to
#12
קֽוּם
me arise
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#13
נָ֣א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#14
שְׁבָ֗ה
I pray thee sit
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#15
וְאָכְלָה֙
and eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#16
מִצֵּידִ֔י
of my venison
(generally) lunch (especially for a journey)
#17
בַּֽעֲב֖וּר
properly, crossed, i.e., (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that
#18
תְּבָרֲכַ֥נִּי
may bless
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#19
נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
that thy soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The historical context of the patriarchal period (c. 2000-1500 BCE) and primeval history provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The ancient Near Eastern world with its creation myths, flood narratives, and patriarchal social structures provided the cultural backdrop against which God's revelation stands in stark contrast. The ancient Near Eastern cosmology and patriarchal society would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Ancient Near Eastern creation texts like Enuma Elish provide comparative context for understanding Genesis's unique theological perspective.

Questions for Reflection

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