Isaac pronounces something resembling a blessing for Esau that is in clear contrast with verses 28-29. It has two parts. In the first part Esau is to be denied the fertile land with its dew or rain, but he is to have a place to live (verse 39). In the second part (verse 40) Esau will live in conflict with others and will serve his brother, but only for a time, and then he will be free from his brother’s control.

Then Isaac his father answered him: answered may be inappropriate in this context. Something like “spoke these words” may be more suitable.

Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be: Behold introduces here a statement that is something of a shock for Esau. In translation it may require an expression that invites close attention; for example, “Now listen” or “Hear what I say.” Translators will note that according to the Revised Standard Version footnote away from may also be interpreted to mean “of” (so also King James Version). Interpreted in this way the sense would be that Esau too is to receive rich, fertile fields. However, to give both sons the same wealth would conflict with the sense of the story, which is of depriving Esau of his birthright. And the different lifestyle foretold in the next verse is really based on the lack of resources for a settled life of farming. According to Speiser the Hebrew style remains awkward aside from this preposition. Esau, and so Edom, is to be deprived of possessions. The preferred understanding is as in the Revised Standard Version text and in Good News Translation.

Fatness of the earth is the same as in the blessing given to Jacob in verse 28 and refers to the fertile, productive lands or fields. The place where Esau will live is to be a long way from such rich lands. We may translate, for example, “you shall live far away from fertile fields” or “your home shall be a long way from fields that produce abundant crops.” However, in some areas these models will mean little more than saying “your house and gardens will be separated by some distance,” which is perfectly normal. If this is the case, it will be better to make clear that Esau is not to be given any fertile land. Accordingly we may say “you will have to live and work where the fields produce nothing.”

Away from the dew of heaven on high: see verse 28. The dryness or lack of rain that prevents crops from growing is the second feature of Esau’s “blessing.” Here we may say, for example, “and where God sends no dew upon the ground” or “where no rain falls from heaven.”

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 .