How Did Esau React When He Discovered the Blessing Was Gone?
The moment Esau learned that Jacob had already received the patriarchal blessing is one of the most emotional and heartbreaking scenes in Genesis. Esau’s reaction reveals deep layers of grief, anger, regret, and desperation. His response not only exposes the consequences of Jacob’s deception but also highlights Esau’s long-standing spiritual indifference toward the covenant blessing he had previously despised.
1. Esau Enters Expecting Honor
Esau came to his father confidently, believing he had fulfilled the requirements for the blessing.
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He had hunted the game.
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He prepared the food exactly as Isaac loved.
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He anticipated receiving his father’s sacred, final words of inheritance and leadership.
Esau expected celebration and approval—but instead, he faced a devastating revelation.
2. Shock and Confusion: “Who are you?”
When Isaac asked, “Who are you?” Esau was puzzled.
“I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” (Genesis 27:32)
Esau did not yet understand what had happened. His confident introduction quickly turned into confusion as Isaac trembled and exposed the deception.
3. Sudden Realization and Bitter Crying
The moment Isaac told him the truth, Esau’s shock turned into overwhelming anguish.
“When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceedingly bitter cry.” (Genesis 27:34)
This cry was not ordinary weeping. It was:
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Intense – “great”
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Deeply emotional – “exceedingly”
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Full of pain and frustration – “bitter”
Esau’s reaction shows a heart crushed by losing something he suddenly realized he valued more than he had ever admitted.
4. Desperate Pleading: “Bless me—me also, O my father!”
Esau’s first instinct was to plead earnestly with Isaac.
“Bless me—me also, O my father!” (Genesis 27:34)
This plea reveals several things:
a. He finally wanted the spiritual blessing
Although he once despised his birthright, now—in a moment of loss—he craved the privilege.
b. He believed Isaac could undo the situation
He hoped the patriarch still held some remaining authority to reverse or duplicate the blessing.
c. His desperation stemmed from regret
Esau recognized, too late, the value of what he had traded away for a single meal.
5. Anger Toward Jacob: “He has cheated me!”
Esau’s grief turned into anger against Jacob.
“Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times.” (Genesis 27:36)
Esau accused Jacob of stealing:
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The birthright — though Esau himself sold it.
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The blessing — obtained through deception.
His words reveal:
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Deep resentment
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Feelings of victimization
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No acknowledgment of his own earlier choices
Esau interpreted events only through emotional pain, not spiritual understanding.
6. Renewed Pleading: “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”
Esau begged again:
“Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” (Genesis 27:36)
This reflects:
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His longing for acceptance
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His desire for any remaining favor
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His inability to accept that the covenant blessing was irrevocable and already spoken
He clung to the hope that Isaac had something—anything—left to offer.
7. Tears of Grief: “Do you have only one blessing?”
Still unsatisfied, Esau continued weeping before Isaac.
“Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also.”
“And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.” (Genesis 27:38)
Esau’s tears show:
a. A broken heart
He loved his father and longed for his approval.
b. Emotional pain rather than spiritual repentance
His sorrow was genuine but rooted in earthly loss—not in spiritual understanding.
c. The weight of consequences
He finally faced what his earlier choices had cost him.
8. Esau Accepted a Secondary Blessing
Isaac, moved by his son’s grief, did bless him—but it was not a covenant blessing.
The blessing foretold:
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A life away from fertile lands
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A restless, conflict-filled existence
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Temporary servitude to Jacob’s descendants
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Eventual freedom through rebellion (Genesis 27:39–40)
Esau accepted this blessing, but its content did not satisfy him. It lacked the spiritual richness he desired too late.
9. Burning Anger and Desire for Revenge
After receiving the lesser blessing, Esau’s grief turned into murderous intentions.
“Esau hated Jacob… and said in his heart, ‘I will kill my brother Jacob.’” (Genesis 27:41)
His internal bitterness fully matured:
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He blamed Jacob entirely.
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He ignored his own responsibility in selling the birthright.
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His anger grew into planned vengeance.
This desire for revenge ended up driving Jacob away for twenty years.
Conclusion: A Heart Filled with Bitter Loss
Esau’s reaction to losing the blessing combines a whirlwind of powerful emotions:
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Shock, when he discovered the truth
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Bitter crying, expressing deep heartbreak
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Desperate pleading, hoping for another blessing
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Anger and resentment, directed at Jacob
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Tears, showing his grief and regret
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Vengeful hatred, revealing the depth of his wounded pride
In the end, Esau’s response teaches several lessons:
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Spiritual blessings should never be taken lightly.
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Choices made casually can have life-altering consequences.
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Emotional sorrow is not the same as spiritual repentance.
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God’s purposes stand firm despite human deception or favoritism.
Esau’s story remains one of Scripture’s most poignant reminders of the cost of despising what God values.