This verse (Genesis 28:6) sets the stage for Esau's actions and motivations, revealing a critical realization about his father Isaac's favor towards Jacob and the implications of that favor. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram..." This highlights Esau's awareness of a specific event. He's not just vaguely aware that Jacob is favored, but he sees that Isaac has officially and ceremonially blessed Jacob. This blessing carries immense significance in their culture, often conveying inheritance and divine favor. The fact that Jacob has been sent to Paddan Aram (his mother Rebekah's homeland) further emphasizes that this is a directed mission with purpose.
"...to take him a wife from there..." This specifies the reason for Jacob's journey: to find a wife from among his relatives. This is crucial because it reinforces Isaac's desire for Jacob to marry within their lineage and maintain their cultural and religious identity.
"...and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, 'You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,'" This part is the key. Esau understands that Isaac's blessing included a direct command for Jacob to avoid marrying Canaanite women. The Canaanites were the people living in the land at that time and they didn't worship the same God as Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac and Rebekah were concerned their sons would marry Canaanite women and turn from the God of Abraham.
This command is important for two reasons:
1. It underscores the importance Isaac places on marrying within the right community, to preserve their faith and heritage.
2. It tacitly reveals Isaac's disapproval of Esau's own marriage choices, as Esau had already married Canaanite women (Genesis 26:34-35), which had caused grief to his parents.
In summary, Genesis 28:6 reveals that Esau realizes Jacob has been given a blessing with a specific purpose of finding a wife from Paddan Aram and instructed to not marry any Canaanite women. This makes it known that Esau has caused his parents' grief by marrying Canaanite women and that Jacob is being favored.
This verse (Genesis 28:6) sets the stage for Esau's actions and motivations, revealing a critical realization about his father Isaac's favor towards Jacob and the implications of that favor. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan Aram..." This highlights Esau's awareness of a specific event. He's not just vaguely aware that Jacob is favored, but he sees that Isaac has officially and ceremonially blessed Jacob. This blessing carries immense significance in their culture, often conveying inheritance and divine favor. The fact that Jacob has been sent to Paddan Aram (his mother Rebekah's homeland) further emphasizes that this is a directed mission with purpose.
"...to take him a wife from there..." This specifies the reason for Jacob's journey: to find a wife from among his relatives. This is crucial because it reinforces Isaac's desire for Jacob to marry within their lineage and maintain their cultural and religious identity.
"...and that as he blessed him he gave him a command, saying, 'You shall not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan,'" This part is the key. Esau understands that Isaac's blessing included a direct command for Jacob to avoid marrying Canaanite women. The Canaanites were the people living in the land at that time and they didn't worship the same God as Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac and Rebekah were concerned their sons would marry Canaanite women and turn from the God of Abraham.
This command is important for two reasons:
1. It underscores the importance Isaac places on marrying within the right community, to preserve their faith and heritage.
2. It tacitly reveals Isaac's disapproval of Esau's own marriage choices, as Esau had already married Canaanite women (Genesis 26:34-35), which had caused grief to his parents.
In summary, Genesis 28:6 reveals that Esau realizes Jacob has been given a blessing with a specific purpose of finding a wife from Paddan Aram and instructed to not marry any Canaanite women. This makes it known that Esau has caused his parents' grief by marrying Canaanite women and that Jacob is being favored.