Genesis 27:18-29

18 He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?”
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 give me your blessing.”
20 Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” “The LORD your God gave me success,” he replied.
21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.”
22 Jacob went 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 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him.
24 “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. “I am,” he replied.
25 Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.” Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank.
26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”
27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, 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 you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine.
29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over 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.”

Genesis 27:18-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 27

In this chapter we are informed, that Isaac, being old and dim sighted, sent for Esau to get him venison, that he might eat of it, and bless him before he died, Ge 27:1-4; that Rebekah hearing of this formed a scheme for Jacob to get the blessing before him, which she communicated to Jacob, to which he at first objected, but afterwards complied, Ge 27:5-17; and also how that he succeeded in the attempt, and got the blessing from his brother, Ge 27:18-29; and that this was confirmed to him by his father, even when his mistake was discovered upon Esau's coming, Ge 27:30-33; which occasioned a most bitter cry in Esau, a severe reflection on his brother, and an earnest expostulation with his father for a blessing, which he obtained, Ge 27:34-40; the consequence of this were hatred in Esau to Jacob, and an intention to kill him, which Rebekah hearing of, advised Jacob to flee to her brother Laban, Ge 27:41-45; and to facilitate this, complains to Isaac of Esau's wives, and suggests, that should Jacob marry among the same people, it would add to the distress of their lives; and therefore hints it to him, that it was necessary and proper he should go to her family for a wife, Ge 27:46; and whether Isaac sent him, as the following chapter shows.

Cross References 21

  • 1. ver 32
  • 2. ver 32
  • 3. S Genesis 25:28
  • 4. S ver 4
  • 5. S Genesis 24:12
  • 6. ver 12
  • 7. Genesis 45:4
  • 8. ver 12
  • 9. ver 16
  • 10. S ver 4
  • 11. Genesis 31:28,55; Genesis 33:4; Genesis 48:10; Exodus 4:27; Exodus 18:7; Ruth 1:9; 1 Samuel 20:41; 2 Samuel 14:33; 2 Samuel 19:39
  • 12. Hebrews 11:20
  • 13. S ver 15; Song of Songs 4:11
  • 14. Psalms 65:9-13
  • 15. Deuteronomy 33:13; 2 Samuel 1:21; Job 18:16; Job 29:19; Proverbs 3:20; Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 14:5; Haggai 1:10; Zechariah 8:12
  • 16. ver 39; Genesis 49:25; Leviticus 26:20; Deuteronomy 33:13
  • 17. Psalms 65:9; Psalms 72:16
  • 18. ver 37; Genesis 45:18; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 7:13; Deuteronomy 33:28; 2 Kings 18:32; Psalms 4:7; Isaiah 36:17; Jeremiah 31:12; Jeremiah 40:10
  • 19. 2 Samuel 8:14; Psalms 68:31; Psalms 72:11; Isaiah 19:21,23; Isaiah 27:13; Isaiah 45:14,23; Isaiah 49:7,23; Isaiah 60:12,14; Isaiah 66:23; Jeremiah 12:17; Daniel 2:44; Zechariah 14:17-18
  • 20. S Genesis 9:25; S Genesis 25:23; S Genesis 37:7
  • 21. ver 33; Genesis 12:3; Numbers 24:9; Zephaniah 2:8
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