Genesis 27:5
New International Version
Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back,

New Living Translation
But Rebekah overheard what Isaac had said to his son Esau. So when Esau left to hunt for the wild game,

English Standard Version
Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it,

Berean Standard Bible
Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac told his son Esau. So when Esau went into the field to hunt game and bring it back,

King James Bible
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

New King James Version
Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it.

New American Standard Bible
Now Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home,

NASB 1995
Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home,

NASB 1977
And Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Rebekah was listening while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau. Then Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring to Isaac.

Amplified Bible
But Rebekah overheard what Isaac said to Esau his son; and when Esau had gone to the open country to hunt for game that he might bring back,

Christian Standard Bible
Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac said to his son Esau. So while Esau went to the field to hunt some game to bring in,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac said to his son Esau. So while Esau went to the field to hunt some game to bring in,

American Standard Version
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

Contemporary English Version
Rebekah had been listening, and as soon as Esau left to go hunting,

English Revised Version
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rebekah was listening while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau. When Esau went into the open country to hunt for some wild game to bring back,

Good News Translation
While Isaac was talking to Esau, Rebecca was listening. So when Esau went out to hunt,

International Standard Version
Now Rebekah overheard Isaac while he was speaking to his son Esau. When Esau had gone out to the field to hunt and bring in some game,

Majority Standard Bible
Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac told his son Esau. So when Esau went into the field to hunt game and bring it back,

NET Bible
Now Rebekah had been listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau went out to the open fields to hunt down some wild game and bring it back,

New Heart English Bible
Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went out to the field to hunt for a wild animal and bring it back to his father.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son; and Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

World English Bible
Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Rebekah is listening while Isaac is speaking to his son Esau; and Esau goes to the field to hunt game—to bring in;

Young's Literal Translation
And Rebekah is hearkening while Isaac is speaking unto Esau his son; and Esau goeth to the field to hunt provision -- to bring in;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Rebekah heard in the speaking of Isaak to Esau his son: and Esau went to the field to hunt, a hunting, to bring.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Rebecca had heard this, and he was gone into the field to fulfill his father's commandment,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Rebekah had heard this, and he had gone out into the field to fulfill his father’s order,

New American Bible
Rebekah had been listening while Isaac was speaking to his son Esau. So when Esau went out into the open country to hunt some game for his father,

New Revised Standard Version
Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. So Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Raphqa heard when Isaaq spoke to Esau his son, and Esau went on to the field to hunt game to bring.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Rebecca heard Isaac speaking to Esau his son; and Esau went to the plain to procure venison for his father.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob's Deception
4Then prepare a tasty dish that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.” 5Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac told his son Esau. So when Esau went into the field to hunt game and bring it back, 6Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I overheard your father saying to your brother Esau,…

Cross References
Genesis 25:28
Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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 26:34-35
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 27:13
His mother replied, “Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey my voice and go get them for me.”

Genesis 27:41
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

Genesis 28:5
So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Genesis 29:1
Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.

Genesis 30:1-2
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”

Genesis 37:3-4
Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Genesis 49:1-2
Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come: / Come together and listen, O sons of Jacob; listen to your father Israel.

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 21:15-17
If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.

1 Samuel 1:4-5
And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. / But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb.

1 Samuel 2:22-25
Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / “Why are you doing these things?” Eli said to his sons. “I hear about your wicked deeds from all these people. / No, my sons; it is not a good report I hear circulating among the LORD’s people. ...

1 Kings 1:11-14
Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it? / Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon. / Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ ...


Treasury of Scripture

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

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Country Esau Field Game Heard Hearing Home Hunt Isaac Isaac's Listening Meat Open Provision Rebecca Rebekah Rebekah's Speaking Venison Words
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Country Esau Field Game Heard Hearing Home Hunt Isaac Isaac's Listening Meat Open Provision Rebecca Rebekah Rebekah's Speaking Venison Words
Genesis 27
1. Isaac sends Esau for venison.
6. Rebekah instructs Jacob to obtain the blessing.
14. Jacob, feigning to be Esau, obtains it.
30. Esau brings venison.
33. Isaac trembles.
34. Esau complains, and by importunity obtains a blessing.
41. He threatens Jacob's life.
42. Rebekah disappoints him, by sending Jacob away.














Now Rebekah was listening
The Hebrew root for "listening" is שָׁמַע (shama), which implies not just hearing but paying close attention with the intent to understand or act. Rebekah's listening is active and purposeful, indicating her awareness and involvement in the unfolding events. In the cultural context of the time, women often played significant roles behind the scenes, influencing family dynamics and decisions. Rebekah's attentiveness here sets the stage for her subsequent actions, reflecting her protective instincts and strategic thinking.

to what Isaac said
The phrase highlights the communication between Isaac and Esau, which Rebekah overhears. Isaac, as the patriarch, holds the authority to bless his sons, a significant act that would determine the future leadership and inheritance within the family. The Hebrew word for "said" is אָמַר (amar), which can also mean to declare or command, emphasizing the weight of Isaac's words. This moment underscores the importance of spoken blessings in the Hebrew tradition, where words carried the power to shape destinies.

to his son Esau
Esau, the elder son, is traditionally entitled to the birthright and blessing. His name in Hebrew, עֵשָׂו (Esav), is associated with being "hairy" or "rough," reflecting his rugged, outdoorsman persona. The mention of Esau here is crucial, as it sets up the tension between him and his brother Jacob. Historically, the firstborn's blessing was a pivotal event, often involving the transfer of leadership and divine favor, which Rebekah seeks to influence.

So when Esau went to the field
The "field" symbolizes Esau's domain and expertise as a hunter. The Hebrew word for "field" is שָׂדֶה (sadeh), often representing a place of labor and sustenance. Esau's departure to the field is a critical plot point, as it provides Rebekah and Jacob the opportunity to execute their plan. This setting also contrasts with Jacob, who is described as a "quiet man, dwelling in tents" (Genesis 25:27), highlighting the differences in their lifestyles and temperaments.

to hunt game and bring it back
Hunting was a respected skill in ancient times, providing food and demonstrating prowess. The Hebrew word for "hunt" is צָדָה (tsadah), which involves skill, patience, and strategy. Esau's task to "bring it back" indicates his role in providing for the family, a duty that also ties into the blessing Isaac intends to bestow. This phrase foreshadows the deception that will unfold, as Rebekah and Jacob plan to intercept this process, altering the course of the blessing and the family's future.

(5) Rebekah heard.--She was possibly present when Isaac gave the order, and he may even have wished her to know his determination to give the blessing to his favourite son. But the words filled her with dismay. She had, no doubt, treasured the prophecy of Jacob's ultimate superiority, and now it seemed as if the father would reverse it. Had her faith been pure and exalted, she would have known that God would fulfil His word without her help; but all alike act from unworthy motives, and all have their meed of punishment. But here the fault began with Isaac, and Rebekah probably considered that she was preventing a grievous wrong.

Verse 5. - And Rebekah (who, though younger than Isaac, must also have been old) heard when Isaac spake - literally, in the speaking of Isaac; בְּ with the inf. forming a periphrasis for the gerund, and being commonly rendered by when (Genesis 14:30; 31:18), the subordinated noun being changed in translation into the subject of the sentence (vide Ewald, 'Hebrews Synt.,' § 304) - to Esau his son (to which the "her son" of ver. 6 stands in contrast). And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, - literally, to hunt hunting. (vide on ver. 3) and to bring it - i.e. "the savory meat" or "delicious food," as directed (ver. 4).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Rebekah
וְרִבְקָ֣ה (wə·riḇ·qāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac

was listening
שֹׁמַ֔עַת (šō·ma·‘aṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to what Isaac
יִצְחָ֔ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

told
בְּדַבֵּ֣ר (bə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

his son
בְּנ֑וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Esau.
עֵשָׂ֖ו (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

So when Esau
עֵשָׂו֙ (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

went
וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

into the field
הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה (haś·śā·ḏeh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land

to hunt
לָצ֥וּד (lā·ṣūḏ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6679: To lie alongside, to catch an animal, to victual

game
צַ֖יִד (ṣa·yiḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6718: The chase, game, lunch

[and] bring [it back],
לְהָבִֽיא׃ (lə·hā·ḇî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


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OT Law: Genesis 27:5 Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 27:4
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