Genesis 27:8

Now, my son, listen to my voice and do exactly as I tell you.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Rebekah addresses Jacob immediately after instructing him to prepare a meal for Isaac, positioning herself as the architect of the blessing transfer. She issues the command at the moment Jacob is about to execute the deception.

The words — The Hebrew imperative שְׁמַ֣ע (she.Ma') translates literally as "listen" or "obey," while מְצַוָּ֥ה (me.tza.Vah) functions as "[I] am commanding." Together they frame the instruction as an urgent, non-negotiable directive.

The thread — The demand for immediate compliance appears again in Genesis 27:13 when Rebekah reiterates her order, and the broader theme of obeying human authority versus divine command intersects with Ephesians 6:1 and Acts 5:29. These references track the tension between familial instruction and higher moral obligation.

Why it lands — The verse requires Jacob to execute a specific, deceptive plan without hesitation. It places the reader in a situation where filial obedience directly conflicts with ethical transparency.

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

וְעַתָּ֥הve./'a.Tahand/ therefore בְנִ֖יve.N/iO son/ my שְׁמַ֣עshe.Ma'listen בְּקֹלִ֑יbe./ko.L/ito/ voice/ my לַאֲשֶׁ֥רla./'a.Sherto/ [that] which אֲנִ֖י'a.NiI מְצַוָּ֥הme.tza.Vah[am] commanding אֹתָֽךְ׃'o.Ta/kh<obj.>/ you

King James Version

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

Cross-references

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Genesis 27:13 His mother replied, “Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey my voice and go get them for me.”
Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.
Genesis 25:23 and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Genesis 27:43 So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran.
Acts 4:19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.