Charles Ellicott Commentary


Charles Ellicott Commentary
"And he said, Is not he rightly name Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two time. He took away my birthright. And, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?" — Genesis 27:36 (ASV)
Is not he rightly named Jacob? — In playing on his brother’s name in this way, Esau has had a lasting revenge; for the negative meaning that he first applied to the word Jacob has adhered to it, no doubt, because Jacob’s own conduct made it only too appropriate. Its right meaning is “one who follows close upon another’s heels.” (See Note on Genesis 25:26.)