Genesis 27:10

KJV

And thou shalt bring [it] to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt bring {H935} it to thy father {H1}, that he may eat {H398}, and that {H834} he may bless {H1288} thee before {H6440} his death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”

American Standard Version

and thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, so that he may bless thee before his death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:10 records Rebekah's direct instruction to Jacob to bring the prepared savory meal to his elderly, blind father, Isaac. This command is the pivotal moment initiating a calculated deception designed to secure the patriarchal blessing for Jacob, rather than Esau, before Isaac's death. This act of manipulation sets in motion a chain of events with profound and lasting consequences for the entire family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 27:10 is embedded within the dramatic narrative of Isaac's family, immediately following Rebekah's overhearing Isaac's intention to bless Esau ([Genesis 27:1-5](/genesis/27-1-5 "Isaac's plan to bless Esau")) and her subsequent devising of a plan to secure the blessing for Jacob ([Genesis 27:6-9](/genesis/27-6-9 "Rebekah's scheme")). This verse serves as the direct command that propels Jacob into the act of deception. It directly precedes Jacob's reluctant compliance and the execution of the scheme, leading to Isaac's mistaken blessing of Jacob ([Genesis 27:18-29](/genesis/27-18-29 "Jacob receives the blessing")) and the subsequent bitter rivalry between the brothers ([Genesis 27:30-45](/genesis/27-30-45 "Esau's rage and Jacob's flight")). The immediate literary context highlights the tension between parental favoritism, divine prophecy, and human manipulation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the patriarchal blessing was far more than a mere wish; it was a solemn, performative, and legally binding pronouncement of destiny, inheritance, and divine favor, typically bestowed by the father upon his firstborn son near the end of his life. Such blessings were considered irrevocable and held immense spiritual and material weight, shaping the recipient's future and status within the family and community. The act of eating a special meal often preceded such significant pronouncements, symbolizing a shared covenant or a moment of profound communion. Isaac's blindness ([Genesis 27:1](/genesis/27-1 "Isaac's failing eyesight")) makes him vulnerable to the deception, and Rebekah's understanding of the cultural significance of the blessing fuels her determination to secure it for Jacob, believing it aligns with the earlier divine oracle concerning the twins ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")).

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis. It deepens the theme of **deception and its consequences**, illustrating how human manipulation, even when seemingly aligned with divine prophecy, can lead to severe family dysfunction and long-term suffering. The narrative underscores the **sovereignty of God** working through flawed human actions; despite the deceit, God's pre-ordained plan for Jacob to inherit the covenant promises ultimately prevails, as seen throughout Jacob's subsequent journey (e.g., [Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Jacob's dream at Bethel")). Furthermore, the passage highlights the destructive nature of **parental favoritism**, as Isaac's preference for Esau and Rebekah's for Jacob create the fertile ground for the unfolding drama and the bitter rivalry that follows ([Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's hatred for Jacob")). The profound **power of spoken words** is also a central theme, as Isaac's blessing, once uttered, is considered irrevocable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:10 serves as the direct command from Rebekah to Jacob, initiating the profound deception that reshapes the trajectory of the patriarchal narrative. This verse is terse yet packed with the immediate action and underlying motivations of the characters.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** This term (H1) refers to Isaac, the patriarch, whose authority and blessing are central to the narrative. The word `ʼâb` denotes not merely a biological parent but the head of the household, the one who holds the power to impart inheritance, identity, and destiny through a solemn blessing. The deception is particularly grievous because it targets the `ʼâb` in his vulnerable state, undermining the trust inherent in the father-son relationship.
* **Eat (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** The verb `ʼâkal` (H398) signifies the act of consuming food, but in this context, it carries significant ritualistic and relational weight. Isaac's desire to "eat" Esau's savory food was part of the traditional preparation for bestowing the blessing, creating an atmosphere of communion and satisfaction. Rebekah's plan hinges on Jacob providing food that Isaac will "eat," believing it to be from Esau, thereby activating the conditions for the blessing.
* **Bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** The word `bârak` (H1288) is crucial. It means "to kneel" and, by implication, to bless or praise. In this patriarchal context, it refers to the solemn, performative act of imparting spiritual and material favor, believed to transfer divine promises and shape one's future. Rebekah's entire scheme is designed to ensure that Isaac `bârak` Jacob, not Esau, thereby redirecting the covenantal promises.
* **Death (Hebrew, _mâveth'_):** The term `mâveth` (H4194) refers to the natural end of life. The phrase "before his death" (combining `pânîym` H6440, "face/before," with `mâveth`) underscores the urgency and finality of the patriarchal blessing. It was customary for patriarchs to issue such testaments or blessings in their twilight years, making their pronouncements binding and irrevocable, adding to the high stakes of Rebekah's deception.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt bring [it] to thy father":** This is Rebekah's direct, imperative command to Jacob. "It" refers to the savory meal she has prepared from young goats, meticulously designed to mimic Esau's hunted game. This clause establishes Jacob's role as the active participant in the deception, under his mother's instruction.
* **"that he may eat":** This phrase specifies the immediate purpose of bringing the food. Isaac's consumption of the meal is a prerequisite for the blessing, a sensory experience that Rebekah exploits to facilitate the deception, leveraging Isaac's failing eyesight and reliance on taste and smell.
* **"and that he may bless thee":** This reveals the ultimate objective of the entire scheme. The goal is to secure the patriarchal blessing for Jacob, a formal, binding pronouncement of future prosperity, inheritance, and divine favor, which Rebekah believes should rightfully belong to Jacob based on God's earlier prophecy.
* **"before his death":** This final phrase emphasizes the urgency and solemnity of the act. Patriarchal blessings were often given as a final will and testament, making them irrevocable. The impending death of Isaac adds a layer of gravity and finality to the blessing, highlighting the high stakes involved in Rebekah's plan.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 27:10, though a simple command, is rich in literary implications. The primary device at play is **Irony**, as Rebekah's attempt to ensure the fulfillment of God's prophecy ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")) through deceit ironically leads to immediate family discord and Jacob's long exile, rather than a smooth transition of blessing. There is also strong **Foreshadowing** in this verse; Rebekah's command directly precipitates the conflict between Jacob and Esau, their separation, and the subsequent trials Jacob will face, which are all consequences of this initial act of deception. The verse also contributes to **Characterization**, revealing Rebekah's strong will and determination, Jacob's initial reluctance but ultimate obedience to his mother, and Isaac's vulnerability due to his age and blindness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:10 stands as a poignant illustration of human fallibility and divine sovereignty. While Rebekah and Jacob resort to deceit to achieve a desired outcome, the narrative ultimately affirms that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human sin, even as the consequences of that sin are fully experienced. This passage highlights the tension between divine election and human responsibility, demonstrating that God can use imperfect means and flawed individuals to accomplish His perfect will, without endorsing their sinful actions. The story serves as a profound reminder that acting outside of God's timing or methods, even for seemingly "good" ends, often leads to unforeseen and painful repercussions, emphasizing the importance of integrity and trust in God's perfect plan.

* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "God's choice of Jacob over Esau")
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "You reap what you sow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:10 confronts us with the uncomfortable truth that even those who are part of God's covenant people can resort to manipulation and deceit, often with what they perceive as good intentions. Rebekah's desire to see God's prophecy fulfilled for Jacob, while understandable, led her to orchestrate a plan that caused deep familial wounds and long-lasting separation. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives: Do we trust God's timing and methods, or do we often try to "help" Him along through our own schemes, compromises, or dishonest shortcuts? The story reminds us that while God is sovereign and can work through our imperfections, our sinful choices still carry consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us. Integrity, honesty, and patient reliance on God's perfect will are paramount. We are called to live truthfully, even when circumstances seem to demand otherwise, knowing that God's character is always consistent with righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to "help" God's plans along through human manipulation or dishonesty?**
* **How does this story challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty versus human responsibility?**
* **What are the potential long-term consequences of short-term dishonest actions, even if they seem to achieve a desired outcome?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing and methods, even when His ways seem slow or unclear?**

### FAQ
**Why did Rebekah and Jacob resort to deception instead of trusting God?**

Answer: Rebekah likely believed that God's prophecy, "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), required human intervention to be fulfilled, especially given Isaac's clear intention to bless Esau. This reflects a common human tendency to try and "help" God's plans along through our own means, rather than patiently trusting in His perfect timing and methods. Their actions, though successful in the immediate goal, led to significant family discord and Jacob's exile, demonstrating the painful consequences of distrusting God's perfect timing and righteous ways.

**Was Isaac's blessing truly binding, even if obtained by deceit?**

Answer: Yes, in the cultural context of the ancient Near East, a patriarchal blessing was considered a performative and irrevocable act, a transfer of spiritual and material inheritance. Once spoken, it was believed to be binding, regardless of the circumstances under which it was given. Isaac himself acknowledged this, stating, "I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed!" ([Genesis 27:33](/genesis/27-33 "Isaac's realization and confirmation of the blessing")). This highlights the profound power attributed to spoken words and the solemnity of such pronouncements, even when obtained through deception. It underscores that God, in His sovereignty, can work through even flawed human actions to accomplish His ultimate purposes.

**How does this story reconcile with God's sovereignty?**

Answer: The narrative demonstrates God's sovereignty in working through imperfect human choices to accomplish His ultimate purposes. While Rebekah and Jacob's deception was sinful, God had already declared His choice of Jacob to carry the covenant line ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")). God did not endorse the deception, but He superintended the outcome, ensuring that His pre-ordained plan for Jacob to receive the blessing was fulfilled. This illustrates that human sin does not thwart divine will, though it often brings negative consequences for the individuals involved. God's faithfulness to His promises transcends human failings, yet He holds individuals accountable for their actions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 27:10, with its account of Jacob's deceptive pursuit of a blessing, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and true blessing found in Jesus Christ. Jacob sought a blessing that conveyed earthly inheritance and favor, obtained through manipulation and disguise. In stark contrast, Christ is the **true and perfect blessing** from God, freely given to humanity, not earned or manipulated. He is the ultimate heir of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Christ, the heir of all things")), and through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, He secures for all who believe the true Abrahamic blessing—not merely an earthly inheritance, but eternal life, spiritual adoption, and reconciliation with God ([Galatians 3:8-9](/galatians/3-8-9 "The blessing of Abraham comes to Gentiles through Christ")). Unlike Jacob, who wore another's garments to receive a blessing, believers are clothed in the righteousness of Christ ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Clothed in garments of salvation")) and receive a blessing that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3-4 "A living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ")). Thus, the flawed pursuit of blessing in Genesis finds its perfect, righteous, and eternal fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the source of all true and lasting blessing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.