Genesis 27:16-26

16 She put the skins from the young goats on his hands and on the back of his neck.

17 Then she gave her son Jacob the good-tasting meal and the bread she had prepared.

18 He went to his father and said, "Father?" "Yes?" he answered. "Who are you, Son?"

19 Jacob answered his father, "I'm Esau, your firstborn. I've done what you told me. Sit up and eat this meat I've hunted for you so that you may bless me."

20 Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, Son?" "The LORD your God brought it to me," he answered.

21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come over here so that I can feel your skin, Son, [to find out] whether or not you really are my son Esau."

22 So Jacob went over to his father. Isaac felt [his skin]. "The voice is Jacob's," he said, "but the hands are Esau's."

23 He didn't recognize Jacob, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him.

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

25 Isaac said, "Bring me some of the game, and I will eat it, Son, so that I will bless you." Jacob brought it to Isaac, and he ate it. Jacob also brought him wine, and he drank it.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here and give me a kiss, Son."

Genesis 27:16-26 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.