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Genesis 28:6 - Esav sees Jacob's Canaanite prohibition

Genesis 28:6 - בראשית 28:6

Hebrew Text

וַיַּרְא עֵשָׂו כִּי־בֵרַךְ יִצְחָק אֶת־יַעֲקֹב וְשִׁלַּח אֹתוֹ פַּדֶּנָה אֲרָם לָקַחַת־לוֹ מִשָּׁם אִשָּׁה בְּבָרֲכוֹ אֹתוֹ וַיְצַו עָלָיו לֵאמֹר לֹא־תִקַּח אִשָּׁה מִבְּנוֹת כְּנָעַן׃

English Translation

When ῾Esav saw that Yiżĥaq had blessed Ya῾aqov, and sent him away to Paddan-aram, to take him a wife from there; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Kena῾an:

Transliteration

Va'yar Esav ki-verach Yitzchak et-Ya'akov v'shilach oto Padana Aram lakachat-lo misham isha b'varacho oto vaytzav alav lemor lo-tikach isha mib'not Kna'an.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּ֣רְא עֵשָׂ֗ו כִּֽי־בֵרַ֣ךְ יִצְחָק֮ אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹב֒ וְשִׁלַּ֤ח אֹתוֹ֙ פַּדֶּ֣נָֽה אֲרָ֔ם לָקַֽחַת־ל֥וֹ מִשָּׁ֖ם אִשָּׁ֑ה בְּבָרְכ֣וֹ אֹת֔וֹ וַיְצַ֤ו עָלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה מִבְּנ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן׃
וַיַּ֣רְא עֵשָׂ֗ו כִּֽי־בֵרַ֣ךְ יִצְחָק֮ אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹב֒ וְשִׁלַּ֤ח אֹתוֹ֙ פַּדֶּ֣נָֽה אֲרָ֔ם לָקַֽחַת־ל֥וֹ מִשָּׁ֖ם אִשָּׁ֑ה בְּבָרְכ֣וֹ אֹת֔וֹ וַיְצַ֤ו עָלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה מִבְּנ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Understanding Esav's Reaction

The verse states, "When Esav saw that Yitzchak had blessed Yaakov..." (Bereishit 28:6). Rashi explains that Esav observed not only the blessings Yaakov received but also Yitzchak's command for Yaakov to marry a woman from Paddan-Aram rather than the daughters of Canaan. This realization led Esav to recognize the spiritual significance of his father’s instructions.

Yitzchak's Directive to Yaakov

The Torah emphasizes that Yitzchak "sent him away to Paddan-Aram" and commanded him "not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan." Ramban (Nachmanides) notes that this directive was rooted in the concern that Canaanite women would lead Yaakov and his descendants astray from the ways of Avraham and Yitzchak. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 65:2) further elaborates that Canaanite culture was steeped in immorality and idolatry, making them unsuitable matches for the future bearers of the covenant.

Esav's Misguided Response

Upon seeing Yaakov’s obedience, Esav attempted to rectify his own marital choices. The next verse (Bereishit 28:8) reveals that Esav went to marry Machalat, the daughter of Yishmael. However, the Talmud (Bava Batra 16b) critiques Esav’s actions, explaining that his motivation was not sincere repentance but rather an attempt to appear righteous in his father’s eyes. The Sforno adds that Esav failed to divorce his Canaanite wives, demonstrating that his change was superficial.

Key Lessons from the Verse

  • Marriage as a Spiritual Foundation: Yitzchak’s insistence on Yaakov marrying within the family of Avraham highlights the importance of building a Jewish home on strong spiritual values.
  • Esav’s Flawed Perception: Esav recognized the importance of his father’s blessings but misunderstood their deeper purpose, leading to an insincere attempt at correction.
  • The Danger of External Compliance: True righteousness requires internal commitment, not just outward actions—a lesson underscored by Esav’s failure to fully abandon his previous ways.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Pesachim 119b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the blessings given to Jacob and Esau, and the implications of these blessings.
📖 Megillah 17a
The verse is mentioned in the context of the narrative of Jacob and Esau, highlighting the significance of Jacob's journey to Paddan-aram.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Isaac send Jacob to Paddan-aram to find a wife?
A: Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram to find a wife from his mother Rebecca's family (Genesis 28:2). This was important because Abraham had made his servant swear not to take a wife for Isaac from the Canaanites (Genesis 24:3), and Isaac wanted Jacob to continue this tradition of marrying within the family lineage rather than the local Canaanite women.
Q: Why didn't Isaac want Jacob to marry a Canaanite woman?
A: According to Rashi and other commentators, the Canaanites had immoral ways and worshipped idols. Isaac wanted to ensure the continuity of Abraham's spiritual legacy by having Jacob marry someone from their own family who shared their values. This is why both Isaac and Rebecca were insistent that their sons not marry Canaanite women (Genesis 24:3, 27:46).
Q: What is the significance of Esau seeing that Isaac blessed Jacob?
A: The Torah mentions Esau seeing the blessings to show his reaction and understanding that Jacob had received the primary blessings meant for the firstborn. According to the Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah), this realization made Esau recognize that his previous marriages to Canaanite women displeased his parents, leading him to then marry Ishmael's daughter (mentioned in the next verse).
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish marriage values today?
A: This verse establishes the Jewish value of marrying someone who shares our spiritual values and commitment to Torah. While today we don't necessarily marry only blood relatives, Orthodox Judaism maintains the importance of marrying within the Jewish faith to preserve our traditions and values, just as our ancestors did.
Q: What was the blessing that Isaac gave Jacob before sending him away?
A: The main blessings are recorded earlier in Genesis 28:3-4 where Isaac blesses Jacob with fertility ('May God bless you... and make you fruitful and multiply you') and with the blessing of Abraham ('May He give you the blessing of Abraham'). The Torah here in verse 6 emphasizes that these blessings came with the instruction to marry properly, showing that proper marriage is connected to receiving God's blessings.