Rebekah’s initiative here set in motion Jacob’s obtaining of Isaac’s blessing, shaping an entire nation’s destiny.
Within the region of Canaan, the account Isaac's blessing continues in Genesis 27:5-17Genesis 27:5-17 commentary: Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home, (v. 5) Rebekah took careful note of Isaac’s instructions to Esau, knowing that her husband Isaac was preparing to give a special blessing. The following verses explain, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying,‘Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death’” (vv. 6-7). She relayed Isaac’s plan precisely, for in her mind Jacob must act quickly to secure the blessing: Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you.Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves.Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death. (vv. 8-10) Rebekah’s strategy was direct: by preparing a meal that mimicked Esau’s wild game, she believed Jacob could receive Isaac’s paternal blessing, continuing the covenant line that had begun with Abraham.
Jacob, who would later be renamed Israel and stand as a forefather to the twelve tribes (and ultimately, Jesus), expressed concern: Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man.Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing” (vv. 11-12). He feared Isaac would realize he was being deceived. But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me” (v. 13). Rebekah carried full responsibility for this plan, reminding Jacob of her unwavering confidence. So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food such as his father loved. (v. 14) In her determination, Rebekah, whose marriage to Isaac likely occurred sometime around 1878 BC, was motivated by what she believed to be God’s promise that Jacob would have prominence (Genesis 25:23Genesis 25:23 commentary). Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. (vv. 15-16) These details highlight the extent of her plan: disguising Jacob’s scent and texture to resemble his older brother, whose birth had placed him in line for the covenant blessing. She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob. (v. 17) At this pivotal point in Israel’s history, Rebekah’s actions would shape the course of Jacob’s life and preserve the lineage that led to many descendants, culminating in the Messiah.
Genesis 27:5-17Genesis 27:5-17 commentary underscores the tension that can arise from favoritism, deception, and the deep desire to secure a divine promise. Jacob and Rebekah’s strategy may strike us as dishonest, yet God’s sovereignty still worked through these imperfect human decisions, ultimately guiding history toward His greater purpose (Romans 8:28Romans 8:28 commentary). From this family, kings would emerge, and centuries later, Jesus Himself would spring from the line of Jacob (Matthew 1:2-16Matthew 1:2-16 commentary). The themes of trust, family ambition, and divine blessing resonate across Scripture, reminding us of God’s steadfast plan in the midst of human frailty.
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Genesis 27:5-17 meaning
Within the region of Canaan, the account Isaac's blessing continues in Genesis 27:5-17Genesis 27:5-17 commentary: Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home, (v. 5) Rebekah took careful note of Isaac’s instructions to Esau, knowing that her husband Isaac was preparing to give a special blessing. The following verses explain, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying, ‘Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death’” (vv. 6-7). She relayed Isaac’s plan precisely, for in her mind Jacob must act quickly to secure the blessing: Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you. Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves. Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death. (vv. 8-10) Rebekah’s strategy was direct: by preparing a meal that mimicked Esau’s wild game, she believed Jacob could receive Isaac’s paternal blessing, continuing the covenant line that had begun with Abraham.
Jacob, who would later be renamed Israel and stand as a forefather to the twelve tribes (and ultimately, Jesus), expressed concern: Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing” (vv. 11-12). He feared Isaac would realize he was being deceived. But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me” (v. 13). Rebekah carried full responsibility for this plan, reminding Jacob of her unwavering confidence. So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food such as his father loved. (v. 14) In her determination, Rebekah, whose marriage to Isaac likely occurred sometime around 1878 BC, was motivated by what she believed to be God’s promise that Jacob would have prominence (Genesis 25:23Genesis 25:23 commentary). Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. (vv. 15-16) These details highlight the extent of her plan: disguising Jacob’s scent and texture to resemble his older brother, whose birth had placed him in line for the covenant blessing. She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob. (v. 17) At this pivotal point in Israel’s history, Rebekah’s actions would shape the course of Jacob’s life and preserve the lineage that led to many descendants, culminating in the Messiah.
Genesis 27:5-17Genesis 27:5-17 commentary underscores the tension that can arise from favoritism, deception, and the deep desire to secure a divine promise. Jacob and Rebekah’s strategy may strike us as dishonest, yet God’s sovereignty still worked through these imperfect human decisions, ultimately guiding history toward His greater purpose (Romans 8:28Romans 8:28 commentary). From this family, kings would emerge, and centuries later, Jesus Himself would spring from the line of Jacob (Matthew 1:2-16Matthew 1:2-16 commentary). The themes of trust, family ambition, and divine blessing resonate across Scripture, reminding us of God’s steadfast plan in the midst of human frailty.