Genesis 27

Commentary

Jacob's Deception

1And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. 2And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: 3Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; 4And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

5And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. 6And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. 8Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. 9Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: 10And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death. 11And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: 12My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. 13And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. 14And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved. 15And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: 16And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck: 17And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

Isaac Blesses Jacob

19And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. 20And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me. 21And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not. 22And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him. 24And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. 25And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank. 26And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

27And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

28Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:

29Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

The Stolen Blessing

30And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. 32And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau. 33And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed. 34And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. 35And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing. 36And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? 37And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? 38And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

39And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

40And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

41And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. 42And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. 43Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; 44And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; 45Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

46And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

Isaac Blesses Jacob
(Hebrews 11:20)

1 It happened, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?” He said to him, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison. 4 Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before Yahweh before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. 9 Go now to the flock, and get me from there two good young goats. I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves. 10 You shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.” 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 What if my father touches me? I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I would bring a curse on myself, and not a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go get them for me.” 14 He went, and got them, and brought them to his mother. His mother made savory food, such as his father loved. 15 Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son. 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands, and on the smooth of his neck. 17 She gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 He came to his father, and said, “My father?” He said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.” 20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He said, “Because Yahweh your God gave me success.” 21 Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 Jacob went near to Isaac his father. He felt him, and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He didn’t recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother, Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He said, “I am.” 25 He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.” He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank. 26 His father Isaac said to him, “Come near now, and kiss me, my son.”

27 He came near, and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said, “Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Yahweh has blessed.

28 God give you of the dew of the sky, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and new wine.

29 Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers. Let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you.”

Esau’s Lost Hope

30 It happened, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob had just gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also made savory food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that your soul may bless me.” 32 Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” He said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed.” 34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceeding great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, my father.” 35 He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.” 36 He said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright. See, now he has taken away my blessing.” He said, “Haven’t you reserved a blessing for me?” 37 Isaac answered Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brothers have I given to him for servants. With grain and new wine have I sustained him. What then will I do for you, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, my father.” Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

39 Isaac his father answered him, “Behold, of the fatness of the earth will be your dwelling, and of the dew of the sky from above.

40 By your sword will you live, and you will serve your brother. It will happen, when you will break loose, that you shall shake his yoke from off your neck.”

41 Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 The words of Esau, her elder son, were told to Rebekah. She sent and called Jacob, her younger son, and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban, my brother, in Haran. 44 Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away; 45 until your brother’s anger turn away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send, and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?”

46 Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these, of the daughters of the land, what good will my life do me?”

Isaac Blesses Jacob
(Hebrews 11:20)

1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.”

“Here I am,” Esau replied.

2 “Look,” said Isaac, “I am now old, and I do not know the day of my death. 3 Take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me. 4 Then prepare a tasty dish that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.”

5 Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac told his son Esau. So when Esau went into the field to hunt game and bring it back, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I overheard your father saying to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare me a tasty dish to eat, so that I may bless you in the presence of the LORD before I die.’

8 Now, my son, listen to my voice and do exactly as I tell you. 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so that I can make them into a tasty dish for your father—the kind he loves. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”

11 Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Look, my brother Esau is a hairy man, but I am smooth-skinned. 12 What if my father touches me? Then I would be revealed to him as a deceiver, and I would bring upon myself a curse rather than a blessing.”

13 His mother replied, “Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey my voice and go get them for me.”

14 So Jacob went and got two goats and brought them to his mother, who made the tasty food his father loved. 15 And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 She also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 Then she handed her son Jacob the tasty food and bread she had made.

18 So Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.”

“Here I am!” he answered. “Which one are you, my son?”

19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.”

20 But Isaac asked his son, “How did you ever find it so quickly, my son?”

“Because the LORD your God brought it to me,” he replied.

21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?”

22 So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him.

24 Again he asked, “Are you really my son Esau?”

And he replied, “I am.”

25 “Serve me,” said Isaac, “and let me eat some of my son’s game, so that I may bless you.”

Jacob brought it to him, and he ate; then he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come near and kiss me, my son.”

27 So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said:

“Ah, the smell of my son

is like the smell of a field

that the LORD has blessed.

28 May God give to you the dew of heaven

and the richness of the earth—

an abundance of grain and new wine.

29 May peoples serve you

and nations bow down to you.

May you be the master of your brothers,

and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.

May those who curse you be cursed,

and those who bless you be blessed.”

Esau’s Lost Hope

30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him and Jacob had left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from the hunt. 31 He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.”

32 But his father Isaac replied, “Who are you?”

“I am Esau, your firstborn son,” he answered.

33 Isaac began to tremble violently and said, “Who was it, then, who hunted the game and brought it to me? Before you came in, I ate it all and blessed him—and indeed, he will be blessed!”

34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, O my father!”

35 But Isaac replied, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”

36 So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? a For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”

37 But Isaac answered Esau: “Look, I have made him your master and given him all his relatives as servants; I have sustained him with grain and new wine. What is left that I can do for you, my son?”

38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, O my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.

39 His father Isaac answered him:

“Behold, your dwelling place shall be

away from the richness of the land,

away from the dew of heaven above.

40 You shall live by the sword

and serve your brother.

But when you rebel,

you will tear his yoke from your neck.”

41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

42 When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you. 43 So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. 44 Stay with him for a while, until your brother’s fury subsides— 45 until your brother’s rage against you wanes and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send for you and bring you back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. b If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?”

 

Footnotes:

36 a Jacob  means he grasps the heel  or he deceives .
46 b Or daughters of Heth

Jacob's Deception

1And it cometh to pass that Isaac is aged, and his eyes are too dim for seeing, and he calleth Esau his elder son, and saith unto him, 'My son;' and he saith unto him, 'Here am I.' 2And he saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have become aged, I have not known the day of my death; 3and now, take up, I pray thee, thy instruments, thy quiver, and thy bow, and go out to the field, and hunt for me provision, 4and make for me tasteful things, such as I have loved, and bring in to me, and I do eat, so that my soul doth bless thee before I die.'

5And Rebekah is hearkening while Isaac is speaking unto Esau his son; and Esau goeth to the field to hunt provision -- to bring in; 6and Rebekah hath spoken unto Jacob her son, saying, 'Lo, I have heard thy father speaking unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7Bring for me provision, and make for me tasteful things, and I do eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. 8'And now, my son, hearken to my voice, to that which I am commanding thee: 9Go, I pray thee, unto the flock, and take for me from thence two good kids of the goats, and I make them tasteful things for thy father, such as he hath loved; 10and thou hast taken in to thy father, and he hath eaten, so that his soul doth bless thee before his death. 11And Jacob saith unto Rebekah his mother, 'Lo, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I a smooth man, 12it may be my father doth feel me, and I have been in his eyes as a deceiver, and have brought upon me disesteem, and not a blessing;' 13and his mother saith to him, 'On me thy disesteem, my son; only hearken to my voice, and go, take for me.' 14And he goeth, and taketh, and bringeth to his mother, and his mother maketh tasteful things, such as his father hath loved; 15and Rebekah taketh the desirable garments of Esau her elder son, which are with her in the house, and doth put on Jacob her younger son; 16and the skins of the kids of the goats she hath put on his hands, and on the smooth of his neck, 17and she giveth the tasteful things, and the bread which she hath made, into the hand of Jacob her son.

18And he cometh in unto his father, and saith, 'My father;' and he saith, 'Here am I; who art thou, my son?'

Isaac Blesses Jacob

19And Jacob saith unto his father, 'I am Esau thy first-born; I have done as thou hast spoken unto me; rise, I pray thee, sit, and eat of my provision, so that thy soul doth bless me.' 20And Isaac saith unto his son, 'What is this thou hast hasted to find, my son?' and he saith, 'That which Jehovah thy God hath caused to come before me.' 21And Isaac saith unto Jacob, 'Come nigh, I pray thee, and I feel thee, my son, whether thou art he, my son Esau, or not.' 22And Jacob cometh nigh unto Isaac his father, and he feeleth him, and saith, 'The voice is the voice of Jacob, and the hands hands of Esau.' 23And he hath not discerned him, for his hands have been hairy, as the hands of Esau his brother, and he blesseth him, 24and saith, 'Thou art he -- my son Esau?' and he saith, 'I am.' 25And he saith, 'Bring nigh to me, and I do eat of my son's provision, so that my soul doth bless thee;' and he bringeth nigh to him, and he eateth; and he bringeth to him wine, and he drinketh. 26And Isaac his father saith to him, 'Come nigh, I pray thee, and kiss me, my son;'

27and he cometh nigh, and kisseth him, and he smelleth the fragrance of his garments, and blesseth him, and saith, 'See, the fragrance of my son is as the fragrance of a field which Jehovah hath blessed;

28and God doth give to thee of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and abundance of corn and wine;

29peoples serve thee, and nations bow themselves to thee, be thou mighty over thy brethren, and the sons of thy mother bow themselves to thee; those who curse thee are cursed, and those who bless thee are blessed.'

The Stolen Blessing

30And it cometh to pass, as Isaac hath finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob is only just going out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother hath come in from his hunting; 31and he also maketh tasteful things, and bringeth to his father, and saith to his father, 'Let my father arise, and eat of his son's provision, so that thy soul doth bless me.' 32And Isaac his father saith to him, 'Who art thou?' and he saith, 'I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau;' 33and Isaac trembleth a very great trembling, and saith, 'Who, now, is he who hath provided provision, and bringeth in to me, and I eat of all before thou comest in, and I bless him? -- yea, blessed is he.' 34When Esau heareth the words of his father, then he crieth a very great and bitter cry, and saith to his father, 'Bless me, me also, O my father;' 35and he saith, 'Thy brother hath come with subtilty, and taketh thy blessing.' 36And he saith, 'Is it because one called his name Jacob that he doth take me by the heel these two times? my birthright he hath taken; and lo, now, he hath taken my blessing;' he saith also, 'Hast thou not kept back a blessing for me?' 37And Isaac answereth and saith to Esau, 'Lo, a mighty one have I set him over thee, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants, and with corn and wine have I sustained him; and for thee now, what shall I do, my son?' 38And Esau saith unto his father, 'One blessing hast thou my father? bless me, me also, O my father;' and Esau lifteth up his voice, and weepeth.

39And Isaac his father answereth and saith unto him, 'Lo, of the fatness of the earth is thy dwelling, and of the dew of the heavens from above;

40and by thy sword dost thou live, and thy brother dost thou serve; and it hath come to pass when thou rulest, that thou hast broken his yoke from off thy neck.'

41And Esau hateth Jacob, because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau saith in his heart, 'The days of mourning for my father draw near, and I slay Jacob my brother.' 42And the words of Esau her elder son are declared to Rebekah, and she sendeth and calleth for Jacob her younger son, and saith unto him, 'Lo, Esau thy brother is comforting himself in regard to thee -- to slay thee; 43and now, my son, hearken to my voice, and rise, flee for thyself unto Laban my brother, to Haran, 44and thou hast dwelt with him some days, till thy brother's fury turn back, 45till thy brother's anger turn back from thee, and he hath forgotten that which thou hast done to him, and I have sent and taken thee from thence; why am I bereaved even of you both the same day?'

46And Rebekah saith unto Isaac, 'I have been disgusted with my life because of the presence of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these -- from the daughters of the land -- why do I live?'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Genesis 27?
2Introduction to Genesis 27
3Context of Genesis 27
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Genesis 27 Unique Insights
7Genesis 27 Connections to Yeshua
8Genesis 27 Scriptural Echoes
9Genesis 27 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Genesis 27?

Introduction to Genesis 27

Genesis 27 presents one of the most emotionally charged narratives in the Torah, depicting the transfer of the patriarchal blessing from Isaac to Jacob through deception. This pivotal chapter showcases the complex dynamics of family relationships, divine sovereignty, and human frailty. The story’s dramatic tension revolves around aging Isaac’s attempt to bless Esau, Rebecca’s intervention on Jacob’s behalf, and the far-reaching consequences of their choices.

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This narrative serves as a crucial turning point in the Genesis narrative, setting in motion events that would shape the destiny of Israel and demonstrate how יהוה (Yahweh) works through human imperfection to accomplish His perfect will. The chapter’s themes of deception, birthright, blessing, and divine providence continue to challenge and inspire readers today.

Context of Genesis 27

Within the immediate context of Genesis, this chapter follows the account of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:29-34) and precedes Jacob’s flight to Haran (Genesis 28). It represents the culmination of the rivalry between Jacob and Esau that began in their mother’s womb (Genesis 25:22-23).

In the broader biblical narrative, Genesis 27 falls within the patriarchal narratives and plays a crucial role in establishing the line through which the Messianic promise would be fulfilled. The chapter demonstrates how יהוה (Yahweh)’s sovereign purposes prevail despite human scheming and moral ambiguity. This story connects to larger biblical themes of election, divine providence, and the reversal of cultural norms regarding primogeniture (firstborn rights).

The events of this chapter echo throughout Scripture, from the prophets’ references to Jacob and Esau (Malachi 1:2-3) to New Testament discussions of divine election (Romans 9:10-13). It serves as a foundational text for understanding God’s sovereign choice in salvation history.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • Blessing (ברכה, berakah): More than just good wishes, the patriarchal blessing carried legal and prophetic weight. In ancient Near Eastern culture, such blessings were considered irrevocable and carried real power to determine destiny. The root word is connected to “knee,” suggesting the transferral of authority and covenant promises while kneeling.
  • Deceive (רמה, ramah): The Hebrew word implies manipulation and betrayal of trust. Notably, this same root appears when Laban later deceives Jacob, suggesting a measure of poetic justice in the narrative.
  • Smell (ריח, reiach): This word carries spiritual significance beyond physical sensation. In Hebrew thought, smell was connected to discernment of character and spiritual reality. The same word is used in describing sacrifices as a “pleasing aroma” to יהוה (Yahweh).
  • Dew (טל, tal): In the arid climate of the Holy Land, dew represented divine blessing and life-giving power. The word appears in both Isaac’s blessing and agricultural metaphors throughout Scripture.
  • Firstborn (בכר, bekor): This term carried immense legal and spiritual significance, representing both double inheritance rights and spiritual leadership of the family. The concept underwent reinterpretation throughout biblical history.
  • Voice (קול, qol): The Hebrew term encompasses more than vocal sound, including authority and identity. The discrepancy between Jacob’s voice and hands creates the central tension in the narrative.
  • Garments (בגד, beged): These clothes carried both the scent and authority of the firstborn. In Hebrew thought, garments often represented identity and role, making their use in deception particularly significant.
  • Trembled (חרד, charad): The Hebrew word describes violent physical shaking, indicating the profound emotional and spiritual impact of discovering the deception. It suggests both fear and recognition of divine providence.

Compare & Contrast

  • Genesis 27:1 uses “dim” (כהה, kahah) rather than “blind” (עור, iver) to describe Isaac’s condition, suggesting a gradual decline rather than complete sightlessness. This nuance emphasizes human vulnerability and the limits of physical perception versus spiritual insight.
  • Genesis 27:12: Jacob’s concern about being a “deceiver” uses מתעתע (mit’atea) rather than the more common רמה (ramah), emphasizing playacting rather than malicious deception, possibly reflecting his internal struggle.
  • Genesis 27:19: Jacob’s claim “I am Esau your firstborn” employs the emphatic אנכי (anochi) rather than the simple אני (ani), highlighting the deliberate nature of his deception.
  • Genesis 27:27: The blessing formula begins with “See” (ראה, re’eh) despite Isaac’s blindness, suggesting spiritual rather than physical perception.
  • Genesis 27:33: Isaac’s “trembling” uses חרדה גדלה (charadah gedolah), an intensified form suggesting supernatural recognition rather than mere emotional shock.
  • Genesis 27:36: Esau’s wordplay on Jacob’s name (יעקב, ya’akov) emphasizes “supplanter” rather than the alternate meaning “heel-holder,” highlighting his bitter interpretation of events.
  • Genesis 27:39-40: The blessing of Esau uses מִן (min) in a privative sense (“away from”) rather than partitive (“of”), suggesting separation from rather than participation in blessing.

Genesis 27 Unique Insights

The rabbinic tradition provides fascinating insights into this chapter through various midrashim. The Midrash Rabbah suggests that when Isaac smelled Jacob’s garments, he detected the scent of Gan Eden (Paradise), indicating that despite the deception, there was divine approval of Jacob receiving the blessing. This interpretation connects to the concept that the priestly garments later worn in the Temple carried a similar heavenly fragrance.

Early Christian fathers, particularly Augustine and Ambrose, saw in this narrative a prefiguration of the Messiah. They interpreted Jacob’s wearing of animal skins as pointing to the Messiah taking on human nature to secure the blessing for His people. The “sweet savor” that Isaac smelled was seen as pointing to the “fragrant offering” of the Messiah mentioned in Ephesians 5:2.

The chapter contains subtle allusions to the Garden of Eden narrative. Just as the serpent deceived through words, so does Jacob. The themes of sight, smell, and touch echo the sensory elements in the Eden story. However, unlike the Eden narrative where disobedience led to curse, here deception paradoxically leads to blessing, highlighting the mysterious ways of divine providence.

The Jewish mystical tradition finds significance in Isaac’s blindness, suggesting it represented a higher spiritual sight that perceived Jacob’s true spiritual destiny beyond physical appearance. This interpretation aligns with various biblical instances where physical blindness accompanies moments of spiritual insight.

Genesis 27 Connections to Yeshua

The story of Jacob receiving the blessing while dressed in another’s garments powerfully prefigures how believers receive blessing through being clothed in the Messiah’s righteousness. Just as Jacob received his father’s blessing while wearing his brother’s clothes, so we receive the Father’s blessing while clothed in Yeshua’s righteousness (Galatians 3:27).

The chapter also illuminates the concept of divine election and human responsibility. While Jacob’s actions were deceptive, they ultimately served God’s previously declared purpose (Genesis 25:23). This tension between divine sovereignty and human agency finds its ultimate resolution in Yeshua, Who fully accomplishes God’s purposes while involving human participation in His plan of redemption.

The irrevocable nature of Isaac’s blessing parallels the unchangeable nature of God’s promises in the Messiah (Romans 11:29). Just as Isaac could not revoke the blessing once given, so God’s promises in Yeshua are eternally secure.

Genesis 27 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter’s themes reverberate throughout Scripture. The concept of blessing through deception finds an echo in Tamar’s story (Genesis 38) and ultimately in how God uses what humans intend for evil for His good purposes (Genesis 50:20).

The motif of the younger superseding the elder recurs in Scripture: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Ephraim over Manasseh, David over his brothers. This pattern points to God’s sovereign choice and His tendency to work through the unexpected and overlooked.

The chapter’s events are specifically referenced in Hebrews 11:20 and Romans 9:10-13, where they serve as examples of faith and divine election respectively. The prophecy about Edom serving Israel finds fulfillment in various historical events recorded in Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.

Genesis 27 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to trust in God’s sovereignty even amid human imperfection and moral ambiguity. While we cannot condone deception, we see how God works through flawed human actions to accomplish His purposes. This should encourage us when we feel our mistakes might have derailed God’s plan for our lives.

The story invites us to examine our own hearts regarding birthright and blessing. Like Esau, do we sometimes despise our spiritual inheritance for temporary satisfaction? Like Jacob, are we trying to secure through deception what God has already promised to give?

The account of Isaac’s blessing reminds us to value our spiritual heritage and to trust God’s timing rather than trying to manipulate circumstances. It also encourages us to look beyond physical appearances to discern God’s working in situations that might seem morally complex.

Did You Know

  • The Hebrew word for “savor” used in Isaac’s blessing is the same word used to describe the pleasing aroma of sacrifices to יהוה (Yahweh), suggesting a deeper spiritual significance to the encounter.
  • Ancient Near Eastern customs gave fathers the right to alter the typical birth order blessing, making Isaac’s intention to bless Esau unusual given God’s prophecy about Jacob.
  • The garments Rebekah had Jacob wear were special clothes kept by the firstborn for priestly duties, according to Jewish tradition.
  • The blessing ceremony would typically have been a public event, making Isaac’s private blessing of Esau suspicious and possibly indicating his awareness of acting against divine will.
  • The word used for Isaac’s “trembling” is used elsewhere in Scripture to describe reactions to divine appearances, suggesting he recognized God’s hand in the events.
  • The Hebrew text contains numerous wordplays on Jacob’s name, which can mean both “heel-holder” and “supplanter,” adding layers of meaning to the narrative.
  • According to Jewish tradition, the “goats” used to simulate Esau’s hairiness were chosen because their hair feels similar to human hair, showing Rebekah’s careful attention to detail.
  • The placement of this story immediately before Jacob’s flight creates a chiastic structure with his later return, showing literary sophistication.
  • Rabbinic sources suggest that Rebekah never told Isaac about the divine oracle she received regarding the boys’ futures, explaining some of the family dysfunction.
  • The blessing given to Jacob contains echoes of the Abrahamic covenant, showing its connection to God’s larger redemptive plan.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

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