Genesis27

Isaac, old and blind, intends to bless his eldest son Esau after eating venison. Rebekah, overhearing, orchestrates a deception, helping Jacob impersonate Esau to receive the patriarchal blessing. Jacob successfully deceives Isaac, gaining the blessing of dominion and prosperity. Upon Esau's return, the deception is revealed, leading to Esau's bitter lament and hatred, prompting Rebekah to send Jacob away for his safety.

Isaac Plans to Bless Esau

In the course of time, after Yitz'chak had grown old and his eyes dim, so that he couldn't see, he called 'Esav his older son and said to him, "My son?" and he answered, "Here I am."

"Look, I'm old now, I don't know when I will die.

Therefore, please take your hunting gear - your quiver of arrows and your bow; go out in the country, and get me some game.

Make it tasty, the way I like it; and bring it to me to eat. Then I will bless you [as firstborn], before I die."

Rivkah was listening when Yitz'chak spoke to his son 'Esav. So when 'Esav went out to the country to hunt for game and bring it back,

Rebekah and Jacob Plot Deception

she said to her son Ya'akov, "Listen! I heard your father telling 'Esav your brother,

'Bring me game, and make it tasty, so I can eat it. Then I will give you my blessing in the presence of ADONAI, before my death.'

Now pay attention to me, my son; and do what I tell you.

Go to the flock, and bring me back two choice kids. I will make it tasty for your father, the way he likes it;

and you will bring it to your father to eat; so that he will give his blessing to you before his death."

Ya'akov answered Rivkah his mother, "Look, 'Esav is hairy, but I have smooth skin.

Suppose my father touches me -he'll know I'm trying to trick him, and I'll bring a curse on myself, not a blessing!"

But his mother said, "Let your curse be on me. Just listen to me, and go get me the kids!"

So he went, got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared them in the tasty way his father loved.

Next, Rivkah took 'Esav her older son's best clothes, which she had with her in the house, and put them on Ya'akov her younger son;

and she put the skins of the goats on his hands and on the smooth parts of his neck.

Then she gave the tasty food and the bread she had prepared to her son Ya'akov.

Jacob Deceives Isaac and Receives the Blessing

He went to his father and said, "My father?" He replied, "Here I am; who are you, my son?"

Ya'akov said to his father, "I am 'Esav your firstborn. I've done what you asked me to do. Get up now, sit down, eat the game, and then give me your blessing."

Yitz'chak said to his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" He answered, "ADONAI your God made it happen that way."

Yitz'chak said to Ya'akov, "Come here, close to me, so I can touch you, my son, and know whether you are in fact my son 'Esav or not."

Ya'akov approached Yitz'chak his father, who touched him and said, "The voice is Ya'akov's voice, but the hands are 'Esav's hands."

However, he didn't detect him; because his hands were hairy like his brother 'Esav's hands; so he gave him his blessing.

He asked, "Are you really my son 'Esav?"And he replied, "I am."

He said, "Bring it here to me, and I will eat my son's game, so that I can give you my blessing." So he brought it up to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine, and he drank.

Then his father Yitz'chak said to him,"Come close now, and kiss me, my son."

He approached and kissed him. Yitz'chak smelled his clothes and blessed Ya'akov with these words: "See, my son smells like a field which ADONAI has blessed.

So may God give you dew from heaven, the richness of the earth, and grain and wine in abundance.

May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be lord over your kinsmen, let your mother's descendants bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!"

Esau Returns; The Deception Is Revealed

But as soon as Yitz'chak had finished giving his blessing to Ya'akov, when Ya'akov had barely left his father's presence, 'Esav his brother came in from his hunting.

He too had prepared a tasty meal and brought it to his father, and now he said to his father, "Let my father get up and eat from his son's game, so that you may give me your blessing."

Yitz'chak his father said to him, "Who are you?" and he answered, "I am your son, your firstborn, 'Esav."

Yitz'chak began trembling uncontrollably and said, "Then who was it that took game and brought it to me? I ate it all just before you came, and I gave my blessing to him. That's the truth, and the blessing must stand."

When 'Esav heard his father's words he burst into loud, bitter sobbing. "Father, bless me too," he begged.

He replied, "Your brother came deceitfully and took away your blessing."

'Esav said, "His name, Ya'akov [he supplants], really suits him - because he has supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright, and here, now he has taken away my blessing!" Then he asked, "Haven't you saved a blessing for me?"

Yitz'chak answered 'Esav, "Look, I have made him your lord, I have given him all his kinsmen as servants, and I have given him grain and wine to sustain him. What else is there that I can do for you, my son?"

'Esav said to his father, "Have you only one blessing, my father? Father, bless me too!"'Esav wept aloud,

and Yitz'chak his father answered him: "Here! Your home will be of the richness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above.

You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you break loose, you will shake his yoke off your neck."

Esau Vows Revenge; Jacob Flees

'Esav hated his brother because of the blessing his father had given him. 'Esav said to himself, "The time for mourning my father will soon come, and then I will kill my brother Ya'akov."

But the words of 'Esav her older son were told to Rivkah. She sent for Ya'akov her younger son and said to him, "Here, your brother 'Esav is comforting himself over you by planning to kill you.

Therefore, my son, listen to me: get up and escape to Lavan my brother in Haran.

Stay with him a little while, until your brother's anger subsides.

Your brother's anger will turn away from you, and he will forget what you did to him. Then I'll send and bring you back from there. Why should I lose both of you on the same day?"

Rivkah said to Yitz'chak, "I'm sick to death of Hitti women! If Ya'akov marries one of the Hitti women, like those who live here, my life won't be worth living."

Study Notes for Genesis 27

Verse 1

Isaac, now old and blind, decides to bestow the patriarchal blessing, a solemn and legally binding transfer of authority and covenant promises, before his death. Blindness often symbolizes human inability to fully perceive God's will.

Verse 4

The ceremonial meal was necessary to accompany the blessing, symbolizing communion and confirmation. Isaac’s request for ‘savoury meat’ highlights his preference for Esau, the hunter.

Verse 6

Rebekah heard Isaac’s instructions. She acts decisively, believing she is fulfilling the divine prophecy given before the twins’ birth (Gen 25:23), though she uses deceptive means.

Verse 7

The phrase 'before the LORD' underscores that this is a covenantal act, invoking divine authority and making the blessing irreversible once given.

Verse 12

Jacob is fearful of being discovered and receiving a curse, not primarily concerned with the sin of deception itself. This reveals a pragmatic, self-interested motivation.

Verse 13

Rebekah takes responsibility for the potential curse, demonstrating the depth of her commitment to ensuring Jacob receives the blessing, even through manipulation.

Verse 15

Rebekah dresses Jacob in Esau’s 'goodly raiment'—likely his best clothes, perhaps carrying the scent of the field—to complete the sensory deception, as Isaac could no longer see.

Verse 16

The skins of the kids of the goats mimic the hairiness of Esau, addressing Jacob’s primary concern (v. 12). The deception required a coordinated assault on Isaac's remaining senses: smell, touch, and hearing.

Verse 19

Jacob’s threefold lie begins: identifying himself as Esau, claiming to have completed the hunt, and demanding the blessing.

Verse 20

Jacob compounds his lie by invoking God’s name, claiming divine intervention for his quick success. This is a striking example of using religious language to justify deceit.

Verse 22

Isaac remains suspicious, noting the mismatch between the voice (Jacob’s) and the hands (Esau’s, due to the disguise). The deception nearly fails.

Verse 27

The smell of Esau’s clothes (v. 15), representing the fertility of the land, finally convinces Isaac. The blessing connects Jacob’s future prosperity directly to the promises made to Abraham.

Verse 28

This blessing promises material abundance ('dew of heaven,' 'fatness of the earth') and economic prosperity, crucial elements of the covenantal promise.

Verse 29

The blessing grants political supremacy: Jacob will rule over his brother and nations will serve him. This fulfills the prophecy of Genesis 25:23, though accomplished through human manipulation.

Verse 33

Isaac’s 'exceedingly' great trembling signifies his realization that he has attempted to thwart God's will (which favored Jacob). Crucially, he affirms the blessing: 'yea, and he shall be blessed.'

Verse 34

Esau’s 'exceeding bitter cry' shows the magnitude of his loss. The patriarchal blessing was the source of tribal identity and future destiny.

Verse 35

The word 'subtilty' (*mirmah*) means deceit or fraud, accurately summarizing the plot carried out by Jacob and Rebekah.

Verse 36

Esau bitterly connects Jacob’s actions to his name (*Ya’aqov*, 'supplanter'). He identifies this as the second time Jacob has usurped him, following the purchase of the birthright (Gen 25:29-34).

Verse 37

Isaac confirms the scope of the blessing given to Jacob: it is comprehensive, giving him lordship and prosperity, leaving nothing comparable for Esau.

Verse 39

Isaac grants Esau a secondary blessing, which mirrors Jacob’s in geographical terms but lacks the promise of political domination.

Verse 40

Esau's destiny is predicted to be one of violence and subservience to Jacob, but with the hope of future rebellion. This prophecy foreshadows the long conflict between Israel and Edom (Esau’s descendants).

Verse 41

Esau’s grief quickly turns into murderous intent. The familial conflict escalates immediately into a life-and-death threat, forcing Jacob to flee the land of promise.

Verse 43

Haran is the home of Rebekah’s brother, Laban, where Abraham’s family originated. Jacob’s flight marks the end of his life as a settled tent-dweller and the beginning of his journey toward maturity.

Verse 45

Rebekah fears the loss of both sons: Jacob to murder, and Esau to the blood avenger, a consequence mandated by ancient law.

Verse 46

Rebekah gives Isaac a different, acceptable reason for Jacob's departure—the fear of him marrying a local Canaanite woman—thus maintaining the secrecy of the deception and appealing to Isaac's desire for covenant purity.

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Genesis27

Isaac Plans to Bless Esau

Rebekah and Jacob Plot Deception

Jacob Deceives Isaac and Receives the Blessing

Esau Returns; The Deception Is Revealed

Esau Vows Revenge; Jacob Flees

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