Jacob disguises himself to obtain the blessing from Isaac, reaffirming God’s sovereignty in the unfolding of Israel’s destiny.
In Genesis 27:18-29Genesis 27:18-29 commentary, commentaryIsaac, who lived from around 2066 BC to about 1886 BC and was the son of Abraham, dwells in the region of Canaan. Jacob, born around 2006 BC, approaches his father with disguised intentions. He begins by addressing him, and then he came to his father and said, "My father." And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" (v. 18). Jacob subsequently deceives his father by claiming to be his older brother Esau, pointing to the prepared meal as evidence of his hunting prowess. He says, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me" (v. 19). Through this act, Jacob attempts to obtain the blessings traditionally reserved for the firstborn son.
Isaac, initially skeptical, wonders how Jacob—supposedly Esau—managed to return so quickly, which prompts Jacob to explain, Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me (v. 20). Isaac calls him closer, saying, Please come close, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not (v. 21). Despite recognizing Jacob’s voice, the voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau (v. 22), Isaac is convinced by the goatskin covering Jacob’s hands, which mimics Esau’s hairiness. Consequently, he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. (v. 23). Isaac asks one final confirmation, Are you really my son Esau? (v. 24), and receives Jacob’s confident reply, I am. (v. 24)
Following Jacob’s continued deception, Isaac partakes of the meal, Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, that I may bless you. (v. 25). After eating, Isaac requests a kiss, Please come close and kiss me, my son. (v. 26), and upon smelling Jacob’s borrowed garments, he believes him all the more. Then Isaac bestows his blessing, saying, See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed. (v. 27) Because Isaac was both a patriarch and recipient of God’s promises, his blessing held profound significance in the lineage that ultimately would lead to Jesus (see Matthew 1Matthew 1 commentary). This encounter serves as the pivotal moment where Jacob secures victory through trickery, aligning with God’s earlier declaration that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23Genesis 25:23 commentary).
Finally, Isaac launches into a pronouncement of abundance: Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine (v. 28), promising fruitful harvests and prosperity in the land. Furthermore, he declares dominion, saying, May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you (v. 29). This oratory blessing highlights Jacob’s privileged status and anticipates the growth of a formidable lineage. Concluding his blessing, Isaac affirms, Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you (v. 29), an echo of God’s promise to Abraham that those aligned with this chosen family would receive divine favor, while those who stand against them would suffer loss (Genesis 12:3Genesis 12:3 commentary).
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Genesis 27:18-29 meaning
In Genesis 27:18-29Genesis 27:18-29 commentary, commentary Isaac, who lived from around 2066 BC to about 1886 BC and was the son of Abraham, dwells in the region of Canaan. Jacob, born around 2006 BC, approaches his father with disguised intentions. He begins by addressing him, and then he came to his father and said, "My father." And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" (v. 18). Jacob subsequently deceives his father by claiming to be his older brother Esau, pointing to the prepared meal as evidence of his hunting prowess. He says, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me" (v. 19). Through this act, Jacob attempts to obtain the blessings traditionally reserved for the firstborn son.
Isaac, initially skeptical, wonders how Jacob—supposedly Esau—managed to return so quickly, which prompts Jacob to explain, Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me (v. 20). Isaac calls him closer, saying, Please come close, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not (v. 21). Despite recognizing Jacob’s voice, the voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau (v. 22), Isaac is convinced by the goatskin covering Jacob’s hands, which mimics Esau’s hairiness. Consequently, he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. (v. 23). Isaac asks one final confirmation, Are you really my son Esau? (v. 24), and receives Jacob’s confident reply, I am. (v. 24)
Following Jacob’s continued deception, Isaac partakes of the meal, Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, that I may bless you. (v. 25). After eating, Isaac requests a kiss, Please come close and kiss me, my son. (v. 26), and upon smelling Jacob’s borrowed garments, he believes him all the more. Then Isaac bestows his blessing, saying, See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed. (v. 27) Because Isaac was both a patriarch and recipient of God’s promises, his blessing held profound significance in the lineage that ultimately would lead to Jesus (see Matthew 1Matthew 1 commentary). This encounter serves as the pivotal moment where Jacob secures victory through trickery, aligning with God’s earlier declaration that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23Genesis 25:23 commentary).
Finally, Isaac launches into a pronouncement of abundance: Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine (v. 28), promising fruitful harvests and prosperity in the land. Furthermore, he declares dominion, saying, May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you (v. 29). This oratory blessing highlights Jacob’s privileged status and anticipates the growth of a formidable lineage. Concluding his blessing, Isaac affirms, Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you (v. 29), an echo of God’s promise to Abraham that those aligned with this chosen family would receive divine favor, while those who stand against them would suffer loss (Genesis 12:3Genesis 12:3 commentary).