parental blessing

The blessing given by a father to his children, especially that given to his firstborn son. Normally given when the father is an old man nearing death (Gen 27:2; Gen 48:21; Gen 49:1), this blessing forms part of his testamentary farewell to his children. The importance of such a blessing is the key element in a story concerning Jacob and Esau in (Gen 27, Gen 28:1-5).