The Meaning of Genesis 27:2 Explained

Genesis 27:2

KJV: And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

YLT: And he saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have become aged, I have not known the day of my death;

Darby: And he said, Behold now, I am become old; I know not the day of my death.

ASV: And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he said,  Behold now, I am old,  I know  not the day  of my death: 

What does Genesis 27:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 27:1-17 - Rebekah Plans To Cheat Isaac
This chapter narrates a sad story of the chosen family. Esau is the only character which elicits universal sympathy. Isaac appears to have sunk into premature senility. It seems hardly credible that he who had borne the wood for the offering up Mount Moriah, and had yielded himself so absolutely to the divine will, would have become so keen an epicure. He could only be reached now through the senses. Perhaps this was due to the prosperity and even tenor of his life. It is better, after all, to live the strenuous life, with its uphill climb, than to be lapped in the ease of the valley. The birthright had been already promised to Jacob, and there was no need for him to win it by fraud; and Rebekah was truly blameworthy in that she deceived her husband, showed partiality toward her children, and acted unworthily of herself. Who would have expected that out of such a family God was about to produce the religious leaders of the world! Pharaoh would one day crave a blessing from those kid-lined hands! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 27

1  Isaac sends Esau for venison
6  Rebekah instructs Jacob to obtain the blessing
14  Jacob, feigning to be Esau, obtains it
30  Esau brings venison
33  Isaac trembles
34  Esau complains, and by importunity obtains a blessing
41  He threatens Jacob's life
42  Rebekah disappoints him, by sending Jacob away

What do the individual words in Genesis 27:2 mean?

And he said behold now I am old not I know the day of my death
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־ נָ֖א זָקַ֑נְתִּי לֹ֥א יָדַ֖עְתִּי י֥וֹם מוֹתִֽי

וַיֹּ֕אמֶר  And  he  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
הִנֵּה־  behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
נָ֖א  now 
Parse: Interjection
Root: נָא  
Sense: I (we) pray, now, please.
זָקַ֑נְתִּי  I  am  old 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: זָקֵן  
Sense: to be old, become old.
יָדַ֖עְתִּי  I  know 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
י֥וֹם  the  day 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.
מוֹתִֽי  of  my  death 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: מָוֶת  
Sense: death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead.