Genesis 27:46

ESV Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I loathe my life because of the Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?"
NIV Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I’m disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living."
NASB And Rebekah said to Isaac, 'I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth like these from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?'
CSB So Rebekah said to Isaac, "I’m sick of my life because of these Hethite girls. If Jacob marries someone from around here, like these Hethite girls, what good is my life?"
NLT Then Rebekah said to Isaac, 'I’m sick and tired of these local Hittite women! I would rather die than see Jacob marry one of them.'
KJV And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
NKJV And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”

What does Genesis 27:46 mean?

In the previous verses, Rebekah has commanded Jacob to run from the murderous rage of his brother (Genesis 27:41) and to go stay with her brother Laban (Genesis 24:1–4, 23–28) until Esau's fury passes. We're not told anything of Jacob's response. Did he refuse to go or did Rebekah need for Isaac to send him to make it happen? We don't know. In either case, Rebekah seems to have included Isaac in her plan, which once again involves deception.

Rebekah does not tell Isaac her true fear that Esau would kill Jacob. Perhaps she doesn't think that would compel Isaac to act quickly enough. Perhaps she doesn't think Isaac would believe such a thing of his favorite son. Instead, Rebekah manipulates Isaac once again, this time by complaining about Esau's wives, the Hittite women who had made life bitter for both of them, according to Genesis 26:35. Now she says to Isaac colorfully that she hates her life because of those women. In fact, what good will her life even be if Jacob also marries one of the local women?

She does not come out and say directly that Isaac should send Jacob to her brother to find a wife. At least, we're not told that she does so. Still, in the following verses Isaac will send Jacob away for that very reason. Rebekah has accomplished her goal to get Jacob out of town. This, so far as Scripture is concerned, is the last time Rebekah will see Jacob (Genesis 27:43–44). His reunion with Isaac will happen many years later (Genesis 35:27), but no mention is made of his mother, who presumably has passed away, never again seeing her favorite son (Genesis 49:31).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: