Genesis 27:42 - Exposition

And these (literally, the) words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah :—not likely by revelation, but by some one to whom he had made known his secret purpose ( Proverbs 29:11 )— and she sent and called Jacob her younger son (to advise him of his danger, being apprehensive lest the passionate soul of the enraged hunter should find it difficult to delay till Isaac's death), and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. Literally, behold thy brother Esau taking vengeance upon thee (the hithpael of נָחַם meaning properly to comfort oneself, hence to satisfy one's feeling of revenge) by killing thee . The translations ἀπειλεῖ ( LXX .) and minafur (Vulgate), besides being inaccurate, are too feeble to express the fratricidal purpose of Esau.