Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Genesis 27:37 mean when Isaac says he made Jacob Esav's 'lord'?
A: In Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esav that he has already given Jacob the blessing of leadership ('I have made him thy lord'). According to Rashi, this refers to the blessing of Avraham that was passed to Yitzchak and now to Yaakov, making him the spiritual and material leader of the family. Once given, a biblical blessing cannot be revoked.
Q: Why did Isaac say 'what shall I do now for thee, my son' to Esav?
A: Isaac expresses regret that he has no major blessing left to give Esav after mistakenly giving Yaakov the primary blessing meant for the firstborn. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 67:2) explains that while Yaakov received the spiritual blessings, Esav would receive material success and live by the sword (as later mentioned in Genesis 27:40).
Q: What is the significance of 'corn and wine' in Isaac's statement?
A: When Isaac mentions sustaining Yaakov with 'corn and wine,' it symbolizes material prosperity and abundance. Ramban explains that these represent the basic necessities (food and drink) as well as luxury items, showing that Yaakov's descendants would be blessed both physically and spiritually in the Land of Israel.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish tradition about blessings?
A: This verse teaches that blessings in the Torah are powerful and irreversible. The Talmud (Megillah 18a) derives from here that once a blessing is given sincerely, it cannot be taken back. This is why Isaac couldn't simply transfer Yaakov's blessing to Esav, even though Yaakov received it through deception.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Isaac's response to Esav?
A: We learn that words—especially blessings—have lasting consequences. The Sforno explains that Isaac recognized Divine Providence in the events; though Yaakov obtained the blessing unexpectedly, Isaac accepted it as God's will. This teaches us to reflect carefully before speaking or giving blessings, as they shape destiny.
Context of the Verse
This verse (Bereshit 27:37) occurs after Esav discovers that Yaakov received the blessings intended for him. Yitzchak responds to Esav's anguished plea by explaining that he has already bestowed the primary blessings of leadership and material prosperity upon Yaakov.
Yitzchak's Explanation
Rashi explains that Yitzchak's words "הֵן גְּבִיר שַׂמְתִּיו לָךְ" ("Behold, I have made him thy lord") refer to the blessing of dominion given to Yaakov, making him the ruler over Esav. The phrase "וְאֶת־כָּל־אֶחָיו נָתַתִּי לוֹ לַעֲבָדִים" ("and all his brethren have I given to him for servants") indicates that even Esav's descendants would be subservient to Yaakov's descendants, as seen historically with the Edomites (Esav's lineage) being under Israel's rule during certain periods.
Material Blessings
The Sforno notes that "וְדָגָן וְתִירֹשׁ סְמַכְתִּיו" ("with corn and wine have I sustained him") refers to the blessing of agricultural prosperity given to Yaakov. This reflects the physical bounty promised to Avraham's descendants, which was now irrevocably transferred to Yaakov.
Yitzchak's Dilemma
The concluding phrase "וּלְכָה אֵפוֹא מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה בְּנִי" ("and what shall I do now for thee, my son?") demonstrates Yitzchak's predicament. As Ramban explains, once the primary blessings were given with Divine inspiration (Ruach HaKodesh), they could not be retracted or duplicated. Yitzchak could only offer Esav a secondary blessing (given in the subsequent verses), but the Abrahamic covenant's primary promises now belonged to Yaakov.
Halachic Principle
The Talmud (Bava Batra 123a) derives from this episode that a father's verbal blessing to his children holds legal weight and cannot be rescinded, reinforcing the binding nature of Yitzchak's words to Yaakov.