Genesis 27:1-29

1 When Isaac was old, his eyesight was poor, so he could not see clearly. One day he called his older son Esau to him and said, "Son." Esau answered, "Here I am."

2 Isaac said, "I am old and don't know when I might die.

3 So take your bow and arrows and go hunting in the field for an animal for me to eat.

4 When you prepare the tasty food that I love, bring it to me, and I will eat. Then I will bless you before I die."

5 So Esau went out in the field to hunt. Rebekah was listening as Isaac said this to his son Esau.

6 She said to her son Jacob, "Listen, I heard your father saying to your brother Esau,

7 'Kill an animal and prepare some tasty food for me to eat. Then I will bless you in the presence of the Lord before I die.'

8 So obey me, my son, and do what I tell you.

9 Go out to our goats and bring me two of the best young ones. I will prepare them just the way your father likes them.

10 Then you will take the food to your father, and he will bless you before he dies."

11 But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, "My brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am smooth!

12 If my father touches me, he will know I am not Esau. Then he will not bless me but will place a curse on me because I tried to trick him."

13 So Rebekah said to him, "If your father puts a curse on you, I will accept the blame. Just do what I said and go, get the goats for me."

14 So Jacob went out and got two goats and brought them to his mother, and she cooked them in the special way Isaac enjoyed.

15 She took the best clothes of her older son Esau that were in the house and put them on the younger son Jacob.

16 She also took the skins of the goats and put them on Jacob's hands and neck.

17 Then she gave Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

18 Jacob went in to his father and said, "Father." And his father said, "Yes, my son. Who are you?"

19 Jacob said to him, "I am Esau, your first son. I have done what you told me. Now sit up and eat some meat of the animal I hunted for you. Then bless me."

20 But Isaac asked his son, "How did you find and kill the animal so quickly?" Jacob answered, "Because the Lord your God helped me to find it."

21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son. Then I will know if you are really my son Esau."

22 So Jacob came near to Isaac his father. Isaac touched him and said, "Your voice sounds like Jacob's voice, but your hands are hairy like the hands of Esau."

23 Isaac did not know it was Jacob, because his hands were hairy like Esau's hands, so Isaac blessed him.

24 Isaac asked, "Are you really my son Esau?" Jacob answered, "Yes, I am."

25 Then Isaac said, "Bring me the food, and I will eat it and bless you." So Jacob gave him the food, and he ate. Jacob gave him wine, and he drank.

26 Then Isaac said to him, "My son, come near and kiss me."

27 So Jacob went to his father and kissed him. When Isaac smelled Esau's clothes, he blessed him and said, "The smell of my son is like the smell of the field that the Lord has blessed.

28 May God give you plenty of rain and good soil so that you will have plenty of grain and new wine.

29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. May you be master over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you. May everyone who curses you be cursed, and may everyone who blesses you be blessed."

Genesis 27:1-29 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.