Genesis 27:45 - until your brother’s anger turn away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”

Generated Verse: Genesis 27:45

What does "Genesis 27:45" mean?


This verse, Genesis 27:45, is spoken by Rebekah to her son Jacob after he has deceived his father Isaac to steal the blessing intended for his brother Esau. Let's break down the meaning:

"until your brother’s anger turn away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him." This part is pretty straightforward. Rebekah is telling Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran until Esau's rage at being tricked subsides and he forgives Jacob. She's hoping that time and distance will heal the rift between the brothers. The emphasis on Esau forgetting what Jacob did suggests she believes Esau's anger is temporary and rooted in the immediate shock of the deception.

"Then I will send, and get you from there." Rebekah promises that once Esau's anger has dissipated, she will send for Jacob to return home. This suggests she intends for his exile to be temporary. She plans to orchestrate his safe return when the situation is no longer dangerous.

"Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?" This is the heart of Rebekah's concern. She fears that Esau, in his fury, will kill Jacob. If that happens, she will be bereaved of (i.e., lose through death) both of her sons: Jacob because he will be dead, and Esau because he will either be killed in retaliation for murdering Jacob, or he will be condemned to a life of exile and suffering for his sin. The phrase "in one day" emphasizes the potential for immediate and devastating loss. She doesn't want to lose both of her children at once, either literally through death or figuratively through estrangement and ruin.

In summary, the verse means:

Rebekah is telling Jacob to flee to her brother's house to escape Esau's wrath. She believes that Esau's anger will eventually cool down and that she can then safely bring Jacob back home. Her primary motivation is to prevent the potential tragedy of losing both her sons – Jacob to Esau's anger, and Esau to the consequences of his anger. This highlights a mother's desperate attempt to protect her children and maintain family unity in the face of conflict and deception. It also reveals Rebekah's manipulative nature, as she is actively orchestrating events to achieve her desired outcome.