Genesis 27:13

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 27:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son. Only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son. Only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.
Genesis 27:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son. Only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And his mother said unto him, upon me [be] thy curse, my son, etc.] That is, if thy father should curse thee, which I am well assured he will not, let the curse, be what it will, fall upon me, and not on thee; I shall bear the blame and the punishment: this she said in the strong faith of the divine oracle, being fully persuaded her scheme would succeed, and that Jacob would have the blessing, and therefore she feared no curse falling upon her or her son; and this she said to encourage him: the Targum of Onkelos is, “to me it has been said in prophecy, that the curses shall not come upon thee, my son:” only obey my voice, and go fetch me [them]; the two fat kids of the goats from the flock.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“and his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse--His conscience being soothed by his mother, preparations were hastily made for carrying out the device; consisting, first, of a kid's flesh, which, made into a ragout, spiced with salt, onions, garlic, and lemon juice, might easily be passed off on a blind old man, with blunted senses, as game; second, of pieces of goat's skin bound on his hands and neck, its soft silken hair resembling that on the cheek of a young man; third, of the long white robe--the vestment of the first-born, which, transmitted from father to son and kept in a chest among fragrant herbs and perfumed flowers used much in the East to keep away moths--his mother provided…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification