The contrast and conflict between the two men is now extended to include the feelings of their parents.

Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his game: loved Esau does not mean to say that he therefore did not love Jacob. The sense is that, because Isaac liked to eat wild meat, he favored Esau. New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible say “favored,” Moffatt “fond of,” Good News Translation, Bible en français courant “preferred.”

Because he ate of his game is literally “because of the game in his mouth.” Game translates a noun related to the verb meaning to hunt. It refers here to the meat obtained from killing wild animals in the hunt. This reason clause suggests a fondness for such meat on Isaac’s part. Accordingly many translations make this element clear: Good News Translation “enjoyed eating,” Bible en français courant “appreciated wild game,” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “liked to eat,” Speiser “had a taste for game.” In some languages the word for meat or game depends upon the animal or type of animal that provides the meat. In this story the translator may assume that the animals hunted were some kind of deer or wild goat. New English Bible (but not Revised English Bible) has “venison,” which is deer meat.

But Rebekah loved Jacob: but signals the contrast between Rebekah’s and Isaac’s affections. The translation of loved here should be parallel to that used in respect of Isaac. This statement prepares the reader for Rebekah’s role in the deception of her husband in chapter 27.

Verses 27-28 have introduced the background for the episode that begins to unfold with verse 29.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .