Genesis 27:42

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 27:42 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah. And she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, [purposing] to kill thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah. And she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, [purposing] to kill thee.
Genesis 27:42 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
42And the words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah. And she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, [purposing] to kill thee.

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 these words of Esau her eldest son were told to Rebekah, etc.] Jarchi and Jonathan say, by the Holy Ghost; but Aben Ezra thinks, by one of Esau’s friends and confidants, to whom out of the abundance of his heart he had revealed this secret, which is not at all unlikely: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son; who might be in another tent or apartment, or with the flocks in the field: and said unto him, behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, [purposing] to kill thee; he has determined on it, and has laid a scheme for it, and comforts himself with the thought of it, that he shall be able to accomplish it, and so be the heir of the promise, and get the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“these words of Esau were told Rebekah--Poor woman! she now early begins to reap the bitter fruits of her fraudulent device; she is obliged to part with her son, for whom she planned it, never, probably, seeing him again; and he felt the retributive justice of heaven fall upon him heavily in his own future family.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:42–33:17 Jacob met the Lord on a route that Abraham had taken 125 years earlier. The story recounted in 27:42–33:17 follows a chiastic structure that centers on Jacob’s exile: A: Jacob flees Esau (27:42–28:9) B: Angels of God meet Jacob at Bethel (28:10-22) C: Jacob is exiled in Paddan-aram (29:1–31:55) B’: Angels of God meet Jacob at Mahanaim (32:1-2) A’: Jacob is reconciled to Esau (32:3–33:17).”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification