Genesis 27:17

KJV

And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she gave {H5414} the savoury meat {H4303} and the bread {H3899}, which she had prepared {H6213}, into the hand {H3027} of her son {H1121} Jacob {H3290}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

Then she handed her son Jacob the tasty food and bread she had made.

American Standard Version

and she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:17 marks a critical juncture in Rebekah's elaborate scheme to secure the patriarchal blessing for her favored son, Jacob, over his elder brother, Esau. In this verse, Rebekah hands Jacob the specially prepared, savory meal and bread, completing his disguise and preparing him to deceive his blind father, Isaac, thereby setting in motion a series of events with profound and lasting consequences for the family.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded within a dramatic family narrative in the book of Genesis, immediately preceding Jacob's presentation of the deceptive meal to Isaac. Isaac, now old and blind, intended to bestow his irrevocable patriarchal blessing upon his firstborn, Esau, after Esau had hunted and prepared him a meal of wild game ([Genesis 27:4](/genesis/27-4 "Isaac's request to Esau")). However, Rebekah, who favored Jacob ([Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Rebekah's favoritism for Jacob")) and remembered God's earlier prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), orchestrated a cunning plan. She prepared a similar meal from two young goats, dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes, and covered his hands and neck with goatskins to mimic Esau's hairy body. Verse 17 depicts the culmination of her preparations, as Jacob, now fully disguised, receives the food, poised to execute the deception and claim the blessing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:17 succinctly describes Rebekah's final act in preparing Jacob for his deceitful encounter with Isaac: "And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob." This seemingly simple action is laden with narrative and theological significance.

The KJV phrase "savoury meat" translates the Hebrew word *maṭʿammîm* (מַטְעַמִּים), which denotes "delicious foods" or "dainties." This emphasizes the specific, desirable quality of the food Isaac craved, and which Rebekah meticulously replicated to ensure the deception's success. The taste and aroma were crucial elements in Isaac's sensory experience, given his blindness, making the replication of Esau's promised meal paramount. Rebekah's direct action of handing the meal to Jacob underscores her active and central role in orchestrating the fraud, moving from planning to execution.

This verse highlights several key aspects of the narrative:

* **The Precision of Deception:** Rebekah's preparation was meticulous, addressing not only the taste and smell of the food but also Jacob's appearance and feel. The "savoury meat" was designed to perfectly mimic Esau's wild game, a critical detail for Isaac's sensory-dependent blessing.
* **Rebekah's Agency:** The verse emphasizes Rebekah's initiative and control. She "prepared" and "gave" the food, demonstrating her determination and the driving force she exerted behind the entire scheme. Her actions are not passive but decisive.
* **Jacob's Complicity:** While Jacob initially hesitated ([Genesis 27:11-12](/genesis/27-11 "Jacob's initial hesitation")), his acceptance of the food from Rebekah signifies his full participation and commitment to the deception. He becomes an active agent in the fraud.
* **The Object of Desire:** The "savoury meat" is not merely food; it is the conduit through which the highly coveted patriarchal blessing is to be obtained. Its preparation and presentation are central to the scheme's success, highlighting the immense value placed on this spiritual and material inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Imperfection:** This event, though born of human deception and sin, ultimately aligns with God's earlier prophecy regarding the two brothers ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")). It illustrates how God can work through flawed human choices and even sinful means to accomplish His ultimate, sovereign purposes, without condoning the sin itself.
* **The Nature of Blessing:** The narrative underscores the profound significance of the patriarchal blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture, which conveyed spiritual authority, material prosperity, and a covenantal inheritance. It reveals the intense desire for such a blessing, leading to desperate and dishonest measures.
* **Consequences of Sin:** While God's plan was fulfilled, the deception had severe and lasting negative consequences for the family, leading to deep animosity between the brothers, Jacob's flight from home, and years of separation ([Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah sending Jacob away")).
* **Human Agency and Divine Will:** The story presents a tension between human free will (Rebekah and Jacob's choice to deceive) and God's predetermined will. It raises questions about the ethical implications of attempting to "help" God fulfill His promises through unrighteous means.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:17, as part of this complex narrative, offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that even with what might be perceived as a good motive—such as fulfilling a divine prophecy—resorting to lies, manipulation, or dishonesty has severe and often unforeseen consequences. The deception led to significant family strife, Jacob's flight, and years of separation, demonstrating that our choices have lasting impacts not only on ourselves but on our families and future generations. The narrative powerfully teaches that God's promises do not require human cunning or dishonesty to come to pass; rather, trusting in His perfect timing and methods is always superior to resorting to our own schemes, which inevitably bring pain and brokenness. We are called to pursue God's will through righteous means, confident in His ability to fulfill His purposes without our sinful interference.

### FAQ
**Why did Rebekah and Jacob resort to deception if God had already prophesied Jacob would be blessed?**

Answer: Rebekah and Jacob's actions demonstrate a lack of faith in God's timing and methods. Despite knowing God's prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), they chose to manipulate circumstances rather than waiting for God to fulfill His promise in His own way. This often happens when individuals believe they must "help" God achieve His purposes, leading to sinful actions and unintended negative consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the blessing, initiated in Genesis 27:17, ultimately points to Christ by highlighting the profound need for a true and righteous blessing. Unlike Jacob, who obtained his blessing through deceit and human manipulation, Jesus Christ is the **true and ultimate inheritor of all blessings**, not by cunning, but by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death. He perfectly fulfills the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not through a flawed human scheme, but through His divine nature and sinless life. Through Christ, the blessing of salvation and eternal life is freely offered to all who believe, demonstrating God's grace and faithfulness, contrasting sharply with the human efforts and consequences depicted in Jacob's story.

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.