Genesis 27:15

KJV

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which [were] with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Rebekah {H7259} took {H3947} goodly {H2532} raiment {H899} of her eldest {H1419} son {H1121} Esau {H6215}, which were with her in the house {H1004}, and put them upon {H3847} Jacob {H3290} her younger {H6996} son {H1121}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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;

Berean Standard Bible

And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob.

American Standard Version

And Rebekah took the goodly garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 27:15](/genesis/27-15 "Rebekah dresses Jacob in Esau's clothes") details Rebekah's pivotal action in her scheme to secure the patriarchal blessing for Jacob over Esau. She takes Esau's "goodly raiment" and places them upon Jacob, directly facilitating the deception that will alter the course of their family's history and raise profound questions about human agency in relation to divine purpose.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the narrative where Isaac, now old and blind, intends to bestow his final, irrevocable blessing upon his eldest son, Esau. Rebekah, having overheard Isaac's instructions to Esau ([Genesis 27:4](/genesis/27-4 "Isaac instructs Esau to hunt for him")), swiftly devises a scheme to have Jacob impersonate Esau. Her motivation likely stemmed from her favoritism towards Jacob and perhaps her knowledge of God's earlier prophecy to her during her pregnancy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah about her sons")). The "goodly raiment" or "best clothes" of Esau were essential for the deception, as Isaac, being blind, would rely on touch and smell to identify his son, a detail that becomes critical later in the encounter ([Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac's tactile examination of Jacob")). This act follows Esau's earlier, seemingly casual, sale of his birthright to Jacob ([Genesis 25:34](/genesis/25-34 "Esau sells his birthright to Jacob")), adding layers of complexity to the family dynamics.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 27:15](/genesis/27-15 "Rebekah dresses Jacob in Esau's clothes") concisely describes Rebekah's direct and calculated involvement in the deception. The phrase "Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau" highlights her proactive role. The KJV's "goodly raiment" translates the Hebrew word *chamudot* (חֲמֻדֹת), meaning "desirable things" or "precious garments." These were not merely everyday clothes but likely Esau's special attire—perhaps his hunting clothes, ceremonial garments, or simply his most valued possessions. The significance of these particular garments lies in their ability to carry Esau's distinctive scent, a crucial detail for deceiving the blind Isaac, who would rely heavily on smell as well as touch to identify his son.

The fact that these clothes "were with her in the house" suggests either that Esau had left them there, or that Rebekah had access to them, further emphasizing her control over the situation. Her action of putting them "upon Jacob her younger son" was a meticulous step in fabricating a convincing disguise. This physical transformation of Jacob into a semblance of Esau underscores the depth of the deception and Rebekah's determination to achieve her desired outcome, regardless of the ethical implications. This verse sets the stage for the dramatic confrontation between Jacob and Isaac, where the success of the ruse hinges on these carefully orchestrated details.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Deception and Manipulation:** Rebekah's actions exemplify active human manipulation to achieve a desired outcome, highlighting the moral compromises made even when pursuing what one believes is God's will.
* **Familial Conflict and Favoritism:** The entire narrative is deeply rooted in the parental favoritism shown by Isaac towards Esau and Rebekah towards Jacob, which fuels intense sibling rivalry and ultimately leads to broken trust within the family.
* **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Means:** While God had declared His purpose for Jacob before his birth ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah about her sons")), this passage illustrates how human beings often resort to flawed and unethical means to achieve what they perceive as God's will, leading to painful and unforeseen consequences.
* **The Significance of the Blessing:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, a father's patriarchal blessing was profoundly significant. It was believed to carry spiritual and material authority, shaping the recipient's future destiny and status within the family and community, making its attainment, by any means, a high priority.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of deception, particularly within family relationships. While God's ultimate plan for Jacob did prevail, the immediate consequences of Rebekah's and Jacob's actions were years of estrangement, fear, and hardship for Jacob, leading to his hurried departure from his homeland ([Genesis 28:1](/genesis/28-1 "Jacob flees from Beersheba")). The story underscores the importance of integrity and trusting in God's timing and methods, rather than resorting to dishonest means to achieve what we believe is His will. It also highlights the potential pitfalls of parental favoritism and the damage it can inflict upon family harmony and individual relationships.

### FAQ
**Why were Esau's "goodly raiment" so important for the deception?**

Answer: The "goodly raiment" (Hebrew *chamudot*) were important for two main reasons. First, they were likely Esau's special or ceremonial clothes, signifying his status as the eldest son. Second, and crucially for the blind Isaac, these garments would have retained Esau's distinctive scent, allowing Isaac to identify his son through smell, a sense he relied on heavily in his blindness. This detail was vital to the success of Rebekah's elaborate scheme.

**Did Rebekah's actions contradict God's prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger"?**

Answer: Rebekah's actions did not contradict the prophecy in terms of its ultimate outcome, as Jacob did indeed receive the blessing and the lineage of the covenant passed through him. However, her method of achieving this outcome—through deception and manipulation—demonstrates a lack of faith in God's ability to fulfill His purposes through righteous means and in His own timing. While God's will prevailed, it did so despite, rather than because of, the human sin involved, leading to significant negative consequences for the family.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the blessing, initiated by Rebekah in [Genesis 27:15](/genesis/27-15 "Rebekah dresses Jacob in Esau's clothes"), ultimately points to the superior and perfect blessing found in Jesus Christ. While Jacob gained his inheritance through a fabricated identity and human cunning, Christ is the true Son and Heir, whose identity is inherent and divine. He does not need to assume another's garments or scent, for He is the rightful recipient of all blessing and authority ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "The Son is heir of all things")). Furthermore, the blessing Jacob sought was earthly and conditional, yet Christ offers a spiritual, eternal, and unconditional blessing, freely given through grace and not by human merit or deception ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ")). Through Christ, the true "seed" of Abraham, all nations are blessed, fulfilling God's original covenant promise not through the flawed means of humanity, but through His perfect obedience and sacrifice.

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.