Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Genesis 27:36-38

We are watching two men coming to the realization that a spiritual, one-time, leadership charge, and Godly sustenance has been given to the unintended brother.

Back in the day, the oldest son would get the blessing. It was a type of passing on the good fortune that the father had had in life. I liken it to appointing the first born being appointed to take care of his brothers and sisters in case the father dies. It also calls the younger siblings to respect and listen to their big brother as if it were the father speaking.

At its most basic level, it charges the first born to take care of the others and appoints him as leader of the family. In a biblical sense, it passes on the same blessing given to Abraham by God, otherwise known as the lineage of Abraham. The promise that their children shall be like the stars of heaven. Prosperous, like the sands of the seashore.

There is a very interesting word play in the Hebrew today.

Karah Sh'mo Ya-acov v'-yacov-ey-nee
Right his-name cheater for he-cheated me

That was a word for word translation of Esau's reaction to this news. But, Hebrew does not have such a negative connotation for the word "cheater." Eikev, in Hebrew, means "heel" but also carries a "cheater" like meaning. It kind of carries a feeling of 'lucky' more than deceptive though, like when someone gets hit by a car and escapes serious injury or death, in other words, they have cheated death.

Esau then asks what kind of blessing is left for him. Isaac then lays out all of what was given to Jacob - a charge that has now already passed to him from his father. "What can I do for you, my son?" Esau orders his father to bless him too, emphatically, including tears!

Today's reading

English

Esau said, "Is he not rightly named 'Jacob?' For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birth- right, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?" Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?" Esau said to his father, "Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father." And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

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Hebrew

Next week as Isaac gives Esau his own blessing, all that is left after the one given to Jacob...

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Info on each letter starting at the beginning

If you are just starting, my lessons are all here starting at Alef, adding vowels (the dots and lines) as we go. I explain the meaning of each letter and its numerical value. Just go to my blog and scroll to the bottom or click here

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Thanks for reading.

Shabbat Shalom