Genesis 27:35 — Word Study
WLCוַיֹּ֕אמֶר בָּ֥א אָחִ֖יךָ בְּמִרְמָ֑ה וַיִּקַּ֖ח בִּרְכָתֶֽךָ׃
BSABut [Isaac] repliedʼâmar▸ Your brotherʼâch camebôwʼ■ [came with subtilty, deceitfully] deceitfullymirmâh and tooklâqach▸ [took away, stole] your blessingBᵉrâkâh [a gift from God, bringing prosperity and praise]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּ֕אמֶר | and he said | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בָּ֥א | he came | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| אָחִ֖יךָ | brother your | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| בְּמִרְמָ֑ה | with deceit | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וַיִּקַּ֖ח | and he took | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| בִּרְכָתֶֽךָ׃ | blessing your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | But Isaac replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.” |
| KJV | And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. |
| ASV | And he said, Thy brother came with guile, and hath taken away thy blessing. |
| YLT | and he saith, 'Thy brother hath come with subtilty, and taketh thy blessing.' |
| WEB | He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.” |
| BBE | And he said, Your brother came with deceit, and took away your blessing. |
The translations agree on the depiction of Jacob's deceit and the act of taking Esau's blessing.
The sentence consists of one main clause followed by two subordinate clauses detailing the actions of Jacob.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאָמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 27:35
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Blessing of Isaacgenerated
Genesis 27:35 captures a pivotal moment in the story of Isaac and his sons, where Isaac acknowledges that Jacob has deceived him to steal Esau’s blessing. This incident highlights themes of rivalry and the consequences of deceit within the family dynamics. The surrounding verses (Genesis 27:34-37) illustrate Esau's anguish and Isaac's realization of the gravity of the situation, as he reflects on the irreversible nature of the blessing given to Jacob.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 27:19–23 | Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.” |
| 2 | 2 Kings 10:19 | Now, therefore, summon to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. See that no one is missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing will not live.” But Jehu was acting deceptively in order to destroy the servants of Baal. |
| 3 | Job 13:7 | Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? |
| 4 | Malachi 2:10 | Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers? |
| 5 | Romans 3:7–8 | However, if my falsehood accentuates God’s truthfulness, to the increase of His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner? |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — בָּ֥א, ba'generated
The verb בּוֹא (ba') means 'to come' or 'to go in,' encompassing actions such as entering or approaching. In this context, it indicates Jacob's arrival with deceit, emphasizing the manner of his coming.
The parsing as a perfect tense suggests a completed action — Jacob has already come deceitfully. This highlights the finality of his action and its impact on Esau's fate.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered consistently across translations, with all versions acknowledging Jacob's deceitful coming and the taking of Esau's blessing.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is וַיֹּ֕אמֶר, and he said, which governs the entire sentence. The structure includes a subordinate clause explaining what Isaac is saying about Jacob's actions.
The sentence is built around the sequential actions: Isaac's statement leads directly to the revelation of Jacob's deceit and the consequence of taking Esau's blessing.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the verb בָּ֥א is rendered as ἐλθὼν, which conveys the same sense of coming or arriving. This choice maintains the focus on Jacob's entrance and the deceptive nature of his actions.
The translation reflects a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, emphasizing the deceitful manner of Jacob's coming.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 27:35 describes Isaac's response to Esau, revealing that Jacob came deceitfully to take away Esau's blessing. This moment highlights the conflict between the brothers and the consequences of Jacob's actions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Isaac is acknowledging that Jacob used trickery to obtain the blessing that rightfully belonged to Esau.
This act of deception creates a deep rift between the brothers, leading to ongoing conflict and estrangement.
The blessing represents not only material prosperity but also a spiritual inheritance, making its theft particularly impactful.
The narrative illustrates how deceit can lead to significant consequences within families, as seen in the rivalry between Jacob and Esau.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some ways that deceit can impact relationships in my own life?
- How can I learn from Jacob and Esau's story to foster honesty in my relationships?
- What does this passage teach about the value of blessings and inheritance?
- In what ways do I see rivalry affecting my community or family dynamics?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers comment on this verse to explore themes of deception and divine providence, offering insights into its theological implications.
The fact that he says to him, “Your brother came by trickery and took away your blessing” means, in a way that implies a mystery, that the Word of God, after his incarnation, had to take the form of a slave.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 27 →
So what can it mean when it says, “Your brother came with guile and stole the blessing”?… So what can it mean when it says, “He came along with guile and stole the blessing”?First of all, let us note what guile means,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 27 →
What then is guile? Guile is when one thing is done and another pretended. When there is one thing in intention and another in deeds, it is called guile. So guile in the proper sense is reprehensible, just like rock in the proper sense.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 27 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 27:35 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd he said, thy brother came with subtilty,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan, and so Jarchi, interpret it, "with wisdom", taking it in a good sense, and as excusing the fact; or rather
Read John Gill on Genesis 27 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. Esau ... came in from his hunting.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 27 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWhich was thine by the right of nature, and by custom of nations, and by my hearty desire and intention, as well as by thy own expectation and opinion.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 27 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 27:35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.Ver. 35. Thy brother came with subtilty.] Junius observes, that Isaac here, to please his son, committeth some oversight, in transferring the fault upon Jacob. He might have seen how God chastised his seeking to cross the oracle, in the sin of Rebekah and Jacob, who beguiled him. But our minds are as ill set as our eyes, - neither of them apt to turn inwards.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 27 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English ReadersG: UPON THE OF JACOB’S LIFE (Genesis 27) The elaborate calculations of Lightfoot, and most Jewish and Christian commentators, intended to show that when Jacob set out upon his journey to Haran, he and Esau were each about 77 years of age, and Isaac their father about 137, though based apparently upon the letter of Scripture, are so contrary to its facts that evidently there must be some error in them. Fortunately there are several dates which are open to no doubt, and if we start with these, it may prove not Impossible to arrive at more trustworthy conclusions. When, then, Jacob went down into Egypt, he was 130 years of age (Genesis 46:9), and as Joseph when he “stood before Pharaoh” was 30…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 27 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 35. Hath taken away thy blessing.] This blessing, which was a different thing from the birthright, seems to consist of two parts: 1. The dominion, generally and finally, over the other part of the family; and, 2. Being the progenitor of the Messiah. But the former is more explicitly declared than the latter. See Clarke on Genesis 25:31.
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 27 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges35. Thy brother … guile] Isaac at once concludes that the deceiver was Jacob, and acknowledges that Jacob’s trick has succeeded.
Read Cambridge on Genesis 27 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
But Isaac replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”
He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.”
But Isaac replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”
But Isaac replied, “Your brother came in here deceitfully and took away your blessing.”
Tyndale line
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Thy brother came with guile, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Thy brother came with guile, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
Who answered, Thy brother came with subtiltie, and hath taken away thy blessing.
Strictly literal
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and has taken away thy blessing.
and he saith, 'Thy brother hath come with subtilty, and taketh thy blessing.'
and he says, “Your brother has come with subtlety, and takes your blessing.”
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and took away thy blessing.
Isaac said, “Your brother came here deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.”
From the Latin
And he said: Thy brother came deceitfully and got thy blessing.
Simplified
But Isaac replied, “Your brother came and deceived me—he stole your blessing!”
And he said, Your brother came with deceit, and took away your blessing.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint align closely, with all words matched. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly by including the word את (
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר בָּ֥א אָחִ֖יךָ בְּמִרְמָ֑ה וַיִּקַּ֖ח בִּרְכָתֶֽךָ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויאמר בא אחיך במרמה ויקח את ברכתך
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: את (
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 27:35
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
בּוֹא (bo) is a Hebrew verb meaning to come or go in, with a wide range of applications including entering, arriving, and bringing in. It can refer to both physical movement and abstract concepts like events coming to pass. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to come), Hiphil (to cause to come), and Hophal (to be brought). There is no significant disagreement among lexicons regarding its meanings.
בּוֹא 2569 vb. come in, come, go in, go
Qal
come in
come (approach, arrive)
go, i.e. walk, associate with
go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
Hiph.
cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
Hoph.
be brought in (of pers. and things)
be brought
be introduced, put
base
H935 בּוֹא come in, come, go in, go .. come in
. come (approach, arrive)
. go, i.e. walk, associate with
. go from speaker, but with limit of motion given
. . cause to come in, bring in (conduct, lead, obj. persons and animals)
. cause to come, bring, bring near, etc. (animate obj.)
. . be brought in (of pers. and things)
. be brought
. be introduced, put
935 bow' bo
a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of
applications):--abide, apply, attain, X be, befall, +
besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, X
certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out,
upon, to pass), depart, X doubtless again, + eat, + employ,
(cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be
fallen, fetch, + follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war),
grant, + have, X indeed, (in-)vade, lead, lift (up), mention,
pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, X (well) stricken
(in age), X surely, take (in), way.
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): come.
: come/go_in
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
1a5) to go
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to lead in
1b2) to carry in
1b3) to bring in, cause to come in, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon
1b4) to bring to pass
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be brought, brought in
1c2) to be introduced, be put
לְב֥וֹא (bo) — Lebo-(Hamath).
This name means to go in, enter
Combined with cha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574)
בּוֹא (bo) — to come (in): towards.
: towards/entrance
1) to go in, enter, come, go, come in
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to enter, come in
1a2) to come
1a2a) to come with
1a2b) to come upon, fall or light upon, attack (enemy)
1a2c) to come to pass
1a3) to attain to
1a4) to be enumerated
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp2ms
מִרְמָה (mirmah) refers to deceit or treachery. It is derived from the root word meaning to deceive and encompasses concepts like fraud, guile, and craftiness. The term appears in contexts that highlight dishonesty and trickery.
מִרְמָה n.f. deceit, treachery
base
H4820 מִרְמָה deceit, treachery
4820 mirmah meer-maw'
from 7411 in the sense of deceiving; fraud:--craft,
deceit(-ful, -fully), false, feigned, guile, subtilly,
treachery.
see HEBREW for 07411
מִרְמָה (mir.mah) — deceit.
deceit, treachery
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHR/Ncfsa
de-set' (mirmah; (dolos)): The intentional misleading or beguiling of another; in Scripture represented as a companion of many other forms of wickedness, as cursing (Ps 10:7), hatred (Pr 26:24), theft, covetousness, adultery, murder (Mr 7:22; Ro 1:29). The Revised Version (British and American) introduces the word in Pr 14:25; 2Th 2:10; but in such passages as Ps 55:11; Pr 20:17; 26:26; 1Th 2:3, renders a…
The Hebrew word לָקַח (*laqach*) means 'to take' and encompasses a wide range of actions, including to receive, seize, capture, and carry away. It can refer to taking something in hand, taking a wife, or even taking vengeance. The verb has various forms indicating different nuances, such as being taken away or captured.
לָקַח 965 vb. take
Qal
take, take in hand
take and carry along with oneself
take from, or out of
take, carry away
take away from, so as to deprive of
esp. take away life
take to or for a person
take up, upon = put upon
= fetch
take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
take = capture, seize
take = carry off
in phr. take vengeance
Niph.
be captured, of ark
be taken away, removed
be taken, brought unto
Pu.
be taken from, out of
= be stolen from
be taken captive
be taken away, removed
Hoph.
be taken, brought unto
be taken out of
be taken away from
Hithp. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
base
H3947 לָקַח take .. take, take in hand
. take and carry along with oneself
. . take from, or out of
. take, carry away
. take away from, so as to deprive of
. esp. take away life
. take to or for a person
. take up, upon = put upon
. = fetch
. take = lead, conduct (with or without contact)
. take = capture, seize
. take = carry off
. in phr. take vengeance
. . be captured, of ark
. be taken away, removed
. be taken, brought unto
. . be taken from, out of
. = be stolen from
. be taken captive
. be taken away, removed
. . be taken, brought unto
. be taken out of
. be taken away from
. lit. fire taking hold of itself, of lightning
3947 laqach law-kakh'
a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of
applications):--accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch,
get, infold, X many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve,
seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
לָקַח (la.qach) — to take: take.
: take
1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to take, take in the hand
1a2) to take and carry along
1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away
1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept
1a5) to take up or upon, put upon
1a6) to fetch
1a7) to take, lead, conduct
1a8) to take, capture, seize
1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance)
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be captured
1b2) to be taken away, be removed
1b3) to be taken, brought unto
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be taken from or out of
1c2) to be stolen from
1c3) to be taken captive
1c4) to be taken away, be removed
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto
1d2) to be taken out of
1d3) to be taken away
1e) (Hithpael)
1e1) to take hold of oneself
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
בְּרָכָה (berakah) means 'blessing' and encompasses a range of meanings including prosperity, praise of God, gifts, and treaties of peace. It is derived from the root word for 'to bless.' The entries highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
בְּרָכָה n.f. blessing
blessing
source of blessing
blessing, prosperity
blessing, praise of God
a gift, present
treaty of peace
base
H1293 בְּרָכָה blessing
1293 Brakah ber-aw-kaw'
from 1288; benediction; by implication prosperity:--blessing,
liberal, pool, present.
see HEBREW for 01288
בְּרָכָה (be.ra.khah) — blessing.
1) blessing
2) (source of) blessing
3) blessing, prosperity
4) blessing, praise of God
5) a gift, present
6) treaty of peace
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms