Genesis 27:37

Authorized King James Version

And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֨עַן

H6030

answered

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יִצְחָ֜ק

H3327

And Isaac

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

לְעֵשָׂ֗ו

H6215

unto Esau

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

הֵ֣ן

H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

גְּבִ֞יר

H1376

him thy lord

a master

שַׂמְתִּ֥יו

H7760

Behold I have made

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לָךְ֙

וְאֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#10

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#11

אֶחָ֗יו

H251

and all his brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#12

נָתַ֤תִּי

H5414

have I given

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#13

לוֹ֙

#14

לַֽעֲבָדִ֔ים

H5650

to him for servants

a servant

#15

וְדָגָ֥ן

H1715

and with corn

properly, increase, i.e., grain

#16

וְתִירֹ֖שׁ

H8492

and wine

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

#17

סְמַכְתִּ֑יו

H5564

have I sustained

to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a favorable or unfavorable sense)

#18

וּלְכָ֣ה

#19

אֵפ֔וֹא

H645

now

strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then

#20

מָ֥ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#21

אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה

H6213

him and what shall I do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#22

בְּנִֽי׃

H1121

unto thee my son

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

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 sovereignty 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 literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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