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 describes Rebekah's meticulous application of goat skins to Jacob's hands and the smooth part of his neck, a critical step in her elaborate scheme to deceive the blind Isaac. This act was designed to mimic the hairy texture of Esau, ensuring Jacob would receive the patriarchal blessing intended for his older brother, thereby manipulating the divine pronouncement through tactile misdirection.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within the unfolding drama of Isaac's old age and failing vision. Isaac, desiring to bestow his final, sacred blessing upon his firstborn, Esau, instructed him to hunt and prepare a savory meal. Unbeknownst to Isaac, Rebekah, who favored Jacob, overheard this conversation. Driven by her determination to secure the blessing for Jacob, she immediately devised a plan, instructing Jacob to bring two young goats. Knowing Jacob's smooth skin contrasted sharply with Esau's hairiness, Rebekah prepared the goat skins to serve as a tactile disguise, setting the stage for Jacob's impersonation of his brother before their father.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:16 precisely details the physical preparation for Jacob's deception. Rebekah, having slaughtered and prepared the young goats, carefully placed their skins onto Jacob. The strategic placement on his hands and the smooth part of his neck was crucial, as these were the areas Isaac would most likely touch to verify the identity of the son he was about to bless, given his blindness. This meticulous act underscores the calculated nature of Rebekah's plan, relying entirely on sensory manipulation.

* **Tactile Deception:** The Hebrew word for "smooth," *chalaq* (חָלָק), vividly contrasts with Esau's "hairy" *se'ar* (שֵׂעָר) (as noted in [Genesis 25:25](/genesis/25-25 "Esau's birth and hairiness")). Rebekah's use of goat skins directly addressed this key physical difference, highlighting the reliance on touch as Isaac's primary means of identification. The placement on hands and neck directly targeted the areas Isaac would likely feel, as seen later when he touches Jacob's hands in [Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac touches Jacob's hands").
* **Rebekah's Agency:** This verse emphasizes Rebekah's proactive and determined role in orchestrating the deception. Her initiative, from overhearing Isaac's instructions to meticulously preparing Jacob, reveals her strong will and her resolve to see her preferred son receive the blessing, even if it required deceit.
* **Significance of the Blessing:** The elaborate lengths to which Rebekah went, and Jacob's eventual participation despite initial reservations (see [Genesis 27:12](/genesis/27-12 "Jacob's fear of a curse")), underscore the immense cultural and spiritual significance of the patriarchal blessing. It was understood as a divinely sanctioned pronouncement of future prosperity, status, and covenantal inheritance, making its acquisition a matter of profound importance.
* **Human Imperfection in Divine Providence:** While the act itself is one of deliberate deception, it is paradoxically part of a larger narrative where God's sovereign plan for the lineage of the covenant unfolds. God had already declared that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Lord's prophecy to Rebekah")), and while human sin and manipulation are evident, God's ultimate purposes are not thwarted. This highlights the complex interplay between human choices and divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Nature of Deception:** This act serves as a stark example of how deception, even when perceived as a means to a desired end, introduces immediate and long-term consequences, sowing discord and mistrust within relationships.
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Flaw:** The narrative powerfully illustrates God's ability to work through imperfect, even sinful, human actions to accomplish His predetermined will, without condoning the sin itself.
* **The Value of the Covenantal Blessing:** The lengths taken to secure the blessing underscore its profound spiritual and material significance within the Abrahamic covenant, representing divine favor and future inheritance.
* **Consequences of Favoritism:** Rebekah's favoritism towards Jacob, and Isaac's towards Esau, contribute to the family dysfunction and the environment ripe for deceit.

### 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")). 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. 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.

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

Answer: Rebekah used goat skins because Jacob had smooth skin, unlike his hairy brother Esau. The rough texture of the goat skins was intended to mimic Esau's hairiness, allowing Jacob to deceive the blind Isaac through touch.

**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 and Jacob's flight indicate the negative consequences of their actions.

**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 and social weight in ancient Near Eastern culture.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the blessing, while fraught with human sin, ultimately points to a greater fulfillment in Christ. Just as Jacob, the younger, received the blessing intended for the elder through a substitutionary act (albeit a deceptive one), so too does humanity, spiritually "younger" and undeserving, receive the ultimate blessing of salvation and eternal life through the perfect substitution of Christ. He is the true heir of all blessings, and through His perfect obedience and sacrifice, He secures for us an inheritance that is not obtained by deceit or human manipulation, but by divine grace. The story foreshadows a blessing that flows not from human cunning but from God's sovereign, righteous plan, fully realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true Seed of Abraham.

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.