Jacob responds with the true prophetic exasperation of those who seek for signs. He declares that he would not request such a thing of Yahweh. However, Yahweh evidently communicates to Jacob that he should pronounce the curse. Jacob does so, clarifying that the curse comes from Yahweh, not him, and framing it as cause and effect. If Sherem is smitten, then it will prove that “[Yahweh] has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come.”