Old Testament · Genesis

Genesis 27

King James Version · Study Bible

Author

Unknown

Written

Key Theme

Setting

Key Verse

Total Verses

46

Chapter Introduction

4-5 sentences, warm and pastoral. Something like: "Isaac's final days were marked by love and rivalry among his sons, Esau the hunter and Jacob the quiet shepherd. In this tender narrative we see how Rebekah, guided by divine promise, orchestrates a plan that would secure the covenantal blessing for Jacob. Though the means involve deception, God's purpose prevails, reminding us that He works through our flawed hearts. May this chapter stir your faith to trust in God's sovereign grace, even when the path seems uncertain."

Chapter

27 of 50

Testament

Old Testament

Verses

46

✦ Chapter Background

Genesis 27 — God's sovereign choice determines the line of covenant blessing, transcending human expectations and plans.

Isaac, advanced in age and nearly blind, intends to bless his firstborn Esau before death; Rebekah overhears this and devises a plan for Jacob to secure the blessing, highlighting divine election amid familial rivalry.

בְּרָכָה (H1285) — "blessing, a benediction" — It is the pivotal term that defines the covenantal promise; the entire chapter hinges on who receives Isaac's blessing, revealing God's providential guidance in securing the covenant through Jacob.

Author

Moses

Written

~1445-1400 BC (Late Bronze Age)

Genesis — Chapter 27 — KJV
1

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac’s eyesight had dimmed (Strong's H2590), so he relied on his voice to know his children. He calls Esau “my son,” and Esau replies, “Behold, here am I,” not realizing the weight of the request to come soon.
2

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

Simply PutIsaac declares, “I am old; I know not the day of my death,” expressing his awareness that his life is ending (Strong's H2637, H539) and urging his son to fulfill a final wish.
3

Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Simply PutIsaac tells Esau to “hunt” (Heb. חָדַר, H2405) for venison in the field and bring it to him, showing his dependence on the younger generation for sustenance.
4

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac wants a “savoury meat” he loves, so that his soul may bless Esau before he dies. The word “bless” (Strong's H2316) here means to bestow divine favor and goodwill.
5

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

Simply PutRebekah hears Isaac’s request, prompting her to intervene. She knows the importance of the blessing and prepares a plan for Jacob.
6

And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

Simply PutRebekah tells Jacob, “I heard thy father speak unto Esau,” using her ears (Strong's H7160) as the instrument of divine strategy.
7

Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

Simply PutIsaac’s request is to “make savoury meat” so he can eat and bless his son before the LORD, showing that blessings come with God’s presence.
8

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

Simply PutRebekah commands Jacob to “obey my voice,” emphasizing that obedience (Strong's H5921) is the pathway to receiving God’s promise.
9

Go 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:

Simply PutRebekah instructs Jacob to fetch “two good kids of the goats,” which she will cook into the favourite dish, turning ordinary livestock into a divine offering.
10

And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

Simply PutJacob must bring this meat to his father so Isaac can eat and bless him before his death, sealing the covenant.
11

And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

Simply PutJacob worries that Esau’s “hairy” (Strong's H2595) hands will betray his disguise, fearing his father will sense the deception.
12

My 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.

Simply PutJacob fears being seen as a “deceiver” (Strong's H5719) and worries that his deceit will bring a curse instead of a blessing.
13

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Simply PutRebekah assures Jacob, saying her “curse” (Strong's H2521) will cover any mishap if he obeys, highlighting her protective faith.
14

And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

Simply PutJacob brings the goats to his mother; she transforms them into the savoury meat Isaac loves, turning a simple act of obedience into divine favor.
15

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

Simply PutRebekah puts “goodly” (Heb. טוב, H2899) raiment of Esau on Jacob, showing that clothing can be a tool for divine deception when used with purpose.
16

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

Simply PutShe also puts the goat skins on Jacob’s hands and neck, giving him a “hairy” appearance to match Esau’s.
17

And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Simply PutRebekah gives Jacob the prepared meat and bread, equipping him with the physical elements needed for his father's blessing.
18

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

Simply PutJacob greets Isaac, who asks, “Who art thou?” – a test of identity based on voice and scent.
19

And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Simply PutJacob claims to be Esau, “my firstborn,” following his mother’s instructions so the blessing can be transferred.
20

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac wonders how Jacob found the meat so quickly, and Jacob answers that “the LORD thy God brought it to me” (Strong's H430), acknowledging divine providence.
21

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac asks Jacob to “feel thee,” testing whether his hands match Esau’s, showing that physical evidence can confirm identity.
22

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac feels Jacob’s hands and says they are “the hands of Esau,” but the voice is Jacob’s, illustrating that God’s blessing can cross physical boundaries.
23

And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

Simply PutIsaac does not discern Jacob because his hands are “hairy,” like Esau’s, so he blesses him, showing that outward appearances can be deceiving.
24

And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

Simply PutIsaac repeats the question “Art thou my very son Esau?” and Jacob replies, “I am,” confirming the deception.
25

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac eats the venison and drinks wine, completing the blessing ceremony, showing that the physical consumption seals the covenant.
26

And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

Simply PutIsaac commands Jacob to “kiss me,” a sign of affection and acceptance, deepening the bond between father and son.
27

And 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:

Simply PutJacob kisses his father, and Isaac smells the “smell of his raiment,” which he likens to a blessed field, indicating that God’s favor is like the fragrance of a fruitful land.
28

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

Simply PutIsaac blesses Jacob with “dew of heaven” and “fatness of the earth,” symbols of abundance and divine provision (Strong's H1271, H2574).
29

Let 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.

Simply PutHe pronounces that people will serve Jacob and nations bow down, establishing his authority over siblings and future generations.
30

And 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.

Simply PutAs soon as Isaac finishes blessing Jacob, Esau returns from hunting, unaware of the switch that has occurred.
31

And 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.

Simply PutEsau brings his own savoury meat, thinking he will receive the blessing, reflecting his confidence in his own rights.
32

And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

Simply PutIsaac asks Esau, “Who art thou?” and Esau declares himself his firstborn son, showing his ignorance of the prior blessing.
33

And 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.

Simply PutIsaac “trembles” (Strong's H7547) in confusion, wondering who took the venison and blessed him first; his trembling shows his deep uncertainty.
34

And 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.

Simply PutEsau cries bitterly, pleading for a blessing as well, displaying his desperation and sense of loss.
35

And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

Simply PutIsaac tells Esau that his brother “came with subtilty” (Strong's H3525), meaning cunningly, and took away his blessing through deception.
36

And 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?

Simply PutIsaac notes that Jacob’s name means “supplanter” (Strong's H3371), highlighting the theme of one brother supplanting another’s inheritance.
37

And 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?

Simply PutIsaac says Jacob has been sustained (supported) by the earth and wine, indicating that divine providence has favored him.
38

And 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.

Simply PutEsau lifts his voice and weeps, showing the deep emotional impact of losing his birthright.
39

And 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;

Simply PutIsaac tells Esau that his dwelling will be the “fatness of the earth,” promising comfort despite his loss.
40

And 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.

Simply PutHe says Esau will live by his sword and serve Jacob, but later will break Jacob’s yoke from his neck, indicating eventual redemption.
41

And 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.

Simply PutEsau hates Jacob because of the blessing and plots to kill him, revealing how human emotions can spur violent intentions.
42

And 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.

Simply PutRebekah hears of Esau’s plan and warns Jacob, showing her ongoing protective role.
43

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Simply PutRebekah urges Jacob to obey and flee to Laban in Haran, showing the necessity of strategic obedience in danger.
44

And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;

Simply PutShe advises Jacob to “tarry a few days” until Esau’s fury subsides, indicating that time can heal wounds.
45

Until 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?

Simply PutShe promises to fetch Jacob later, preventing them from losing both sons in one day, emphasizing divine timing.
46

And 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?

Simply PutRebekah expresses her weariness (Strong's H736) over the daughters of Heth, fearing that Jacob’s marriage could bring trouble to both her sons.
PreviousGenesis 26

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✦ Cross-References

Genesis 25:23This prophecy of the twins foretells the rivalry between Esau and Jacob that culminates in the deceptive blessing scene of Genesis 27.
Genesis 32:28Jacob's name change after wrestling with God reflects the transformation that begins when he receives Isaac's blessing through deception.
Genesis 28:12-13Jacob's dream of a ladder and God's promise to be with him underscores the divine continuation of the blessing he secured in Genesis 27.
Deuteronomy 33:1Moses' final blessing to Israel mirrors Isaac's desire to bless his son before death, highlighting the significance of paternal blessings in biblical tradition.

Reflect

Do you ever find yourself saying “I am” in a way that fits what others expect of you, rather than reflecting the true person God created?