Hebrews 12:17

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“For you know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”

Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob. Why could this man not repent? Did this happen to him because some human beings are not permitted to change—to repent?

Repent means change, and change always involves a change of mind. Even though Esau was sorry, once he traded away his birthright, it was too late to change his mind or “repent” of his decision. The margin makes this clear by substituting “place of repentance” with “way to change his mind.”

Sin is different—the willing person can always turn from his transgression. But the person who overdrinks, wrecks his car and paralyzes himself has no such later choice. Some choices cannot be undone.

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