Genesis 27:16

KJV

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

KJV (with Strong's)

And she put {H3847} the skins {H5785} of the kids {H1423} of the goats {H5795} upon his hands {H3027}, and upon the smooth {H2513} of his neck {H6677}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

She also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.

American Standard Version

and she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:16 meticulously details Rebekah's cunning act of placing goat skins on Jacob's hands and the smooth part of his neck. This pivotal moment underscores the calculated nature of her deception, designed to mimic the hairy texture of Esau, thereby enabling Jacob to impersonate his brother and secure the patriarchal blessing from their blind father, Isaac. The verse highlights the physical means by which a divinely ordained prophecy would be fulfilled through human manipulation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the intricate narrative of Isaac's family, specifically the unfolding drama of the patriarchal blessing. Immediately preceding it, Rebekah, having overheard Isaac's instructions to Esau regarding the blessing meal, swiftly devises a plan to secure it for Jacob ([Genesis 27:5-10](/genesis/27-5-10 "Rebekah's plan to deceive Isaac")). Jacob's initial hesitation, fearing a curse due to his smooth skin, is overcome by Rebekah's insistence and promise to bear the curse herself ([Genesis 27:11-13](/genesis/27-11-13 "Jacob's fear and Rebekah's resolve")). Verse 16, therefore, represents the physical execution of Rebekah's plan, setting the stage for Jacob's audacious approach to his father, which culminates in the deceptive acquisition of the blessing in [Genesis 27:18-29](/genesis/27-18-29 "Jacob receives the blessing"). The subsequent verses detail Esau's return, his discovery of the deception, and his bitter lament, leading to profound family estrangement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the patriarchal blessing was a solemn, legally binding, and spiritually significant pronouncement, often delivered by the dying patriarch. It conveyed not only material inheritance but also spiritual authority, status, and the continuation of the family line and covenant promises. Such blessings were considered irrevocable once given, carrying immense weight. The emphasis on touch for verification, particularly for a blind patriarch like Isaac, was a common and trusted method in a society without modern identification techniques. The contrast between smooth and hairy skin was a known physical characteristic, making the tactile disguise a plausible, albeit deceptive, strategy. The use of animal skins for clothing or disguise was also a practical reality of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **deception and its consequences**, as Rebekah and Jacob employ guile to achieve their desired outcome, leading to years of family strife and separation. It also highlights **divine sovereignty amidst human imperfection**, demonstrating how God's predetermined plan—that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Lord's prophecy to Rebekah"))—unfolds despite and even through the flawed actions of His chosen people. The verse further underscores the profound **value and significance of the covenantal blessing**, as the lengths to which Rebekah and Jacob go reveal their understanding of its immense spiritual and material importance within the Abrahamic covenant. Finally, it touches on the theme of **familial favoritism**, as Isaac's preference for Esau and Rebekah's for Jacob create the fertile ground for such manipulative schemes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:16 precisely details the physical preparation for Jacob's deception, a moment crucial to the narrative's unfolding. Rebekah, having prepared the savory meal, now meticulously applies the goat skins to Jacob. The strategic placement on his hands and the smooth part of his neck was paramount, as these were the very areas Isaac, blind and relying on touch, would most likely feel to verify the identity of the son he was about to bless. This meticulous act underscores the calculated nature of Rebekah's plan, relying entirely on sensory manipulation to achieve her goal.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **skins (Hebrew, _ʻôwr'_):** From H5785, meaning "skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather." The use of animal skins here is literal, serving as a tactile disguise. It emphasizes the physical, tangible nature of the deception, transforming Jacob's smooth skin into a rough, hairy texture that would mimic Esau's, thus manipulating Isaac's sense of touch.
* **hands (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** From H3027, a primitive word referring to "a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.))." Hands are a primary point of tactile identification. The placement of the skins on Jacob's hands directly targets the area Isaac would undoubtedly touch, as confirmed later in [Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac touches Jacob's hands"), making this a critical part of the impersonation.
* **smooth (Hebrew, _chelqâh'_):** From H2513, meaning "smoothness; figuratively, flattery; also an allotment." This word directly contrasts with Esau's characteristic hairiness, highlighting Jacob's natural physical attribute that made the disguise necessary. The "smooth of his neck" indicates another key area of tactile identification that Rebekah sought to cover, ensuring the deception was comprehensive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands":** This clause describes Rebekah's active role in orchestrating the deception. She takes the initiative to physically prepare Jacob, applying the rough, hairy skins of young goats to his hands. This action directly addresses Jacob's primary concern about his smooth skin contrasting with Esau's hairiness, making the tactile disguise the central element of the scheme. The "kids of the goats" are specifically chosen for their texture, which would plausibly mimic human hairiness.
* **"and upon the smooth of his neck":** This second clause specifies another crucial area of application for the goat skins. The neck, particularly the "smooth" part, is a sensitive area that could be easily touched and would reveal Jacob's true identity. By covering both his hands and neck, Rebekah ensures that Isaac, relying on his sense of touch due to his blindness, would perceive Jacob as Esau, thus completing the physical aspect of the impersonation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to enhance its dramatic impact and thematic depth. **Symbolism** is evident in the goat skins themselves, which symbolize deception and disguise, representing the false identity Jacob assumes. The act of "putting on" the skins can also be seen as a symbolic act of Jacob putting on Esau's identity, a motif that resonates with later biblical themes of "putting on Christ." There is a strong element of **Irony** in Isaac's blindness, which forces him to rely on touch, only for that very sense to be manipulated by the skins. The contrast between Jacob's natural "smooth" skin and Esau's "hairy" body (as described in [Genesis 25:25](/genesis/25-25 "Esau's birth and hairiness")) highlights the precise nature of Rebekah's counter-measure. This **Contrast** underscores the meticulousness of the deception and the lengths to which Rebekah goes to ensure its success.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:16, though a seemingly simple descriptive verse, is pregnant with theological and thematic implications. It serves as a powerful illustration of human attempts to manipulate divine promises, highlighting the tension between God's sovereign plan and human free will, often expressed through flawed and sinful means. While God had already declared His preference for Jacob, the methods employed by Rebekah and Jacob demonstrate a lack of faith in God's ability to fulfill His word through righteous means, choosing instead the path of deceit. This act, therefore, raises profound questions about the nature of faith, obedience, and the consequences of seeking to achieve God's purposes through ungodly methods.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Lord's prophecy to Rebekah"): "And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger."
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination"): "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."
* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "Romans 9:10-13 - Jacob and Esau chosen by God"): "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:16, as a pivotal moment in Jacob and Esau's story, serves as a profound reminder of the far-reaching consequences of deception. While the narrative ultimately sees God's sovereign plan for Jacob's lineage prevail, the methods employed by Rebekah and Jacob led to years of painful family estrangement, fear, and flight (as seen in [Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah sends Jacob away for safety") and Jacob's subsequent journey). This passage urges us to prioritize honesty and integrity in all our dealings, recognizing that even when we believe we are working towards a "good" outcome, deceit inevitably introduces lasting repercussions, eroding trust and fostering bitterness. It also offers a challenging truth: God can accomplish His purposes even through our flawed and sinful actions, yet our moral responsibility to act righteously remains paramount. We are called to trust in God's timing and methods, rather than resorting to manipulation to achieve what we perceive as His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Rebekah's action in this verse reveal a lack of faith in God's ability to fulfill His promise through righteous means?**
* **What are some modern-day "goat skins" or deceptive tactics we might be tempted to use to achieve what we believe is a good outcome?**
* **How can we cultivate greater trust in God's sovereignty and timing, even when circumstances seem to demand human intervention or manipulation?**
* **What are the long-term consequences of deception, both for the deceiver and the deceived, as illustrated in the story of Jacob and Esau?**

### FAQ
**Why did Rebekah use goat skins specifically?**

Answer: Rebekah used goat skins because Jacob had smooth skin, unlike his hairy brother Esau, whose body was covered in hair from birth ([Genesis 25:25](/genesis/25-25 "Esau's birth and hairiness")). The rough texture of the goat skins was intended to mimic Esau's hairiness, allowing Jacob to deceive the blind Isaac through touch, as Isaac relied on his sense of touch to identify his sons.

**Did God approve of Rebekah's deception to fulfill His prophecy?**

Answer: While God's prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Lord's prophecy to Rebekah")) was ultimately fulfilled, the Bible does not condone the deceptive means used by Rebekah and Jacob. God's sovereignty means He can accomplish His will despite human sin, not that He approves of sinful methods. The subsequent family strife, Jacob's flight, and his own experiences of deception (e.g., [Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Laban deceives Jacob with Leah")) indicate the negative consequences of their actions, underscoring that sin always carries a cost.

**What was the significance of the patriarchal blessing Isaac was to give?**

Answer: The patriarchal blessing was a sacred, binding pronouncement of future prosperity, leadership, and divine favor, often including the inheritance of the covenant promises made to Abraham. It was considered irrevocable once given, carrying immense spiritual, social, and legal weight in ancient Near Eastern culture. It was seen as a conduit for God's blessings to flow through generations, shaping the destiny of the family and its descendants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the blessing, while fraught with human sin and its painful consequences, ultimately points to a greater fulfillment in Christ, revealing God's sovereign plan for blessing. Just as Jacob, the younger and seemingly less deserving, received the blessing intended for the elder through a substitutionary act (albeit a deceptive one involving the skins of goats), so too does humanity, spiritually "younger" and utterly undeserving, receive the ultimate blessing of salvation and eternal life through the perfect substitution of Christ. He is the true heir of all blessings, the Seed of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ")). Unlike Jacob's flawed attempt to secure a blessing through disguise and manipulation, Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly fulfilled all righteousness, taking on the "skins" of our sin and bearing its curse on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ redeems us from the curse")). Through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, He secures for us an inheritance that is not obtained by deceit or human cunning, but by divine grace, freely given to all who believe, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")).

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.