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NASB | Genesis 27:33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, "Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 27:33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and he said, "Then who was the one [who was just here] who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I blessed him. Yes, and he [in fact] shall be (shall remain) blessed." |
Bible Question:
Thank you Tim and Mark for your responses. Please consider further thoughts and questions. First, Note how the TEV translates the verse: “Afterwards, you know, he (Esau) wanted to receive his father’s (Isaac, by implication) blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what had been done, even though in tears he looked for it.” The TEV seems to suggest that a reason outside of Esau was why he could not obtain back the blessing; that is, he could find no way to undo the blessing given to Jacob. Said another way, it might be that Esau was unable to: (a) get back his birthright (b) change Isaac’s mind and, thereby, retrieve the blessing. In both cases, the text seems to suggest to me that the blessing was irretrievable, not by virtue of Esau, although he caused its forfeiture, but ultimately because God would not remove it from Jacob to whom it had already been given by Isaac, and Isaac's refusal to change it was in recognition of God's mind in the matter. Does this make sense? Does such an interpretation as I suggest seem compatible with the text, at least, as an alternative interpretation? Second, Tim, you said, "God is not mentioned in these verses..." I agree. But neither is Isaac except by implication (cf. Interlinear). It seems an analogy is being made between those who fail to receive God’s grace (vs.15-16) and Esau’s failure to receive the blessing. Could it be that the neglect to make mention of Isaac was because the author of Hebrews was seeking to direct the reader to the ultimate cause of blessing (or cursing), that is, God? Third, Mark noted (ID# 185033) that, “Esau makes his appeal to Isaac, so I would answer that it was Isaac's repentance, change of mind, that Esau sought. Isaac demonstrated the belief that this blessing followed an established order that once given it remained.” I can agree that it was Isaac’s “repentance” that Esau sought. However, that does not seem to exclude the idea that the text is attempting to show that the blessing was irrevocable on God’s part, thus making God the reason why Esau was rejected. Further questions: 1. Mark: Was this “established order” determined by culture or God? And, in either case, did Isaac believe that God would rigidly follow the “established order”? 2. Mark, if you are correct, and Isaac believed the blessing was irrevocable, was it not because he knew God would not change his mind? 3. If question two is answered “yes”, then can one still not say that, although “repentance” may refer to Isaac, he reflects God’s will in the matter? 4. Therefore, would it still be fair to say that the reason why Esau did not obtain the blessing was not because his repentance was not genuine but because God forbid the blessing administered by Isaac to Jacob to be rescinded. 5. Finally, does my interpretation of the text violate either the context or Greek grammer? How? All other responses are welcome, especially one who has knowledge of Greek. |
Bible Answer: Greetings Atdcross! I would advise extreme caution with the TEV since it is a paraphrase, not a translation. Here is a literal translation of Heb. 12:17: "you know (pl) for that even afterwards being willing to inherit the blessing he was rejected, a change of mind for a place not he found although with tears after seeking it." Based upon the Greek alone, one could argue that the change of mind or of purpose that Esau sought was his own, but his decision could not be changed. However, based on the Genesis account, one could argue that the change of mind Esau sought was of his father. Either way, the passage does not deal with a defective repentance, but rather with a decision that cannot be changed. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |