Bible Strands
Genesis 27:38
Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, O my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Esau speaks to his father Isaac immediately after Isaac confirms that Jacob has already received the primary patriarchal blessing. He makes this request in the moment of realization that the blessing has been formally transferred.
The words — The Hebrew בְּרָכָה (berakhah) denotes a formal blessing or bestowal of favor, while אַחַת (achat) specifies singularity. Together they frame Esau’s literal inquiry into whether only one such endorsement remains available.
The thread — The narrative of a rejected blessing request recurs in Hebrews 12:17, which notes Esau sought the blessing afterward but found no ground for repentance. The identical plea, “Bless me too, O my father!”, appears in Genesis 27:34 when he first learns of the deception.
Why it lands — The text states that a spoken blessing cannot be reclaimed once pronounced, and it places Esau’s loud weeping against that finality. It requires the reader to acknowledge the binding nature of covenant words and the limits of emotional appeal against established decree.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
- Genesis 27:34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, O my father!”
- Genesis 27:36 So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”
- Genesis 49:28 These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.
- Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
- Isaiah 32:10 In a little more than a year you will tremble, O secure ones. For the grape harvest will fail and the fruit harvest will not arrive.
- Isaiah 65:14 My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit.