Genesis 27:18

KJV

¶ And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here [am] I; who [art] thou, my son?

KJV (with Strong's)

And he came {H935} unto his father {H1}, and said {H559}, My father {H1}: and he said {H559}, Here am I; who art thou, my son {H1121}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He went to his father and said, "My father?" He replied, "Here I am; who are you, my son?"

Berean Standard Bible

So Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.” “Here I am!” he answered. “Which one are you, my son?”

American Standard Version

And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 27:18](/genesis/27-18 "Read Genesis 27:18") captures the tense moment of Jacob's deceptive approach to his blind father, Isaac, in an attempt to secure the patriarchal blessing. Jacob, disguised as Esau, presents the prepared meal, prompting Isaac's immediate and suspicious inquiry, "who [art] thou, my son?", revealing the patriarch's profound uncertainty and setting the stage for the unfolding drama of trickery and its far-reaching consequences.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse is situated within the broader narrative of [Genesis chapter 27](/chapter/bible_verses_kjv/genesis/27 "Read Genesis chapter 27"), which details the elaborate scheme orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob to usurp the firstborn's blessing from Esau. Despite God's earlier prophecy that [“the elder shall serve the younger”](/genesis/25-23 "Read about God's prophecy regarding Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:23"), Isaac, now old and visually impaired, intended to bestow the blessing upon Esau after receiving a savory meal prepared by him. Rebekah, overhearing Isaac's instructions, quickly devised a plan for Jacob to impersonate his brother, complete with goat skins to simulate Esau's hairy arms and neck, and Esau's garments to carry his scent. Jacob's entry into Isaac's tent with the prepared food initiates the direct, probing question from his father that marks this verse.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 27:18](/genesis/27-18 "Read Genesis 27:18") opens with Jacob's calculated approach to his father, Isaac, after having prepared the meal intended to deceive him. The verse succinctly captures the initial exchange: "And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here [am] I; who [art] thou, my son?"

Jacob's address, "My father," is direct and simple, yet it is uttered from within a shroud of deception. He presents himself as the rightful recipient of the blessing, even as his true identity is concealed. Isaac's immediate response, "Here [am] I," indicates his readiness to receive his son and the meal, but his subsequent, abrupt question, "who [art] thou, my son?", instantly injects profound tension and suspicion into the scene.

This interrogative, translating the Hebrew `מִי` (*mi*), meaning "who," is not a casual inquiry but a direct, almost accusatory challenge. Isaac's blindness forces him to rely on other senses, and his ear immediately detects a voice that does not align with his expectation of Esau. The addition of "my son" at the end of the question underscores his confusion and desire to reconcile the conflicting sensory information. He recognizes the familial relationship but doubts the specific identity of the individual before him. This moment of profound doubt sets the stage for Jacob's crucial lie in the following verse, where he explicitly claims to be Esau. The verse thus serves as the dramatic pivot, highlighting Isaac's initial, unsettling suspicion that something is amiss, foreshadowing the full extent of the deception soon to be revealed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Nature of Deception:** This verse marks the inception of a significant act of deception. Jacob's actions, instigated by Rebekah, demonstrate human attempts to manipulate divine will, highlighting the inherent dangers and moral compromises involved in such schemes.
* **Sensory Perception vs. Spiritual Discernment:** Isaac, though physically blind, exhibits a form of discernment through his other senses. His immediate suspicion based on Jacob's voice, despite the disguise, foreshadows the deeper conflict in [Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Read about Isaac feeling Jacob's hands in Genesis 27:22"), where Isaac notes, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." This illustrates the challenge of discerning truth when appearances are misleading.
* **The Sovereignty of God Amidst Human Imperfection:** While Jacob's method is flawed and sinful, the narrative ultimately reveals God's sovereign hand at work, fulfilling His earlier prophecy that [“the elder shall serve the younger”](/genesis/25-23 "Read about God's prophecy regarding Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:23"). This does not condone the deception but rather underscores God's ability to achieve His purposes despite, and sometimes through, human failings.
* **The Weight of the Patriarchal Blessing:** The scene underscores the immense cultural and spiritual significance of the patriarchal blessing. Both sons deeply desired it, believing it carried divine authority and shaped one's destiny, thus motivating the lengths to which Jacob and Rebekah went to secure it.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of [Genesis 27:18](/genesis/27-18 "Read Genesis 27:18") serves as a potent reminder of the profound dangers and far-reaching consequences of deception, even when undertaken with seemingly "good" intentions or to fulfill what one perceives as divine will. While God's ultimate plan is sovereign and can utilize imperfect human actions, our choices carry significant weight. Jacob's act of trickery led to years of familial strife and estrangement, compelling him to flee and later experiencing his own taste of deception at the hands of Laban ([Genesis 29:25](/genesis/29-25 "Read about Laban's deception of Jacob in Genesis 29:25")). This story encourages believers to cultivate integrity and trust in God's perfect timing and methods, rather than resorting to manipulative or dishonest means to achieve desired outcomes, recognizing that true blessing comes from righteous living and faithful obedience.

### FAQ
**Why did Isaac immediately suspect Jacob despite his disguise?**

Answer: Isaac's physical blindness heightened his reliance on other senses, particularly hearing. While Jacob was disguised with goat skins and Esau's clothes, his voice remained distinct. Isaac's immediate question, "who [art] thou, my son?", reveals a dissonance between the voice he heard (Jacob's) and the presence he expected (Esau's), indicating his sharp auditory discernment.

**Was Jacob's deception justified since God had already prophesied that the elder would serve the younger?**

Answer: No, Jacob's deception was not justified. While God's prophecy in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Read about God's prophecy regarding Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25:23") indicated His divine plan, it did not necessitate or condone human manipulation to achieve it. God is sovereign and capable of fulfilling His promises through righteous means. Jacob's actions, driven by impatience and lack of faith, led to severe negative consequences for himself and his family, including years of exile and familial discord ([Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Read about Esau's hatred for Jacob in Genesis 27:41")).

**What was the significance of a patriarchal blessing in ancient Israelite culture?**

Answer: A patriarchal blessing was a formal, solemn pronouncement by the head of the family, believed to carry divine authority and to shape the recipient's destiny. It often included promises of prosperity, numerous descendants, land, and a special relationship with God. Such a blessing was considered irrevocable and highly coveted, conveying spiritual and material inheritance, and establishing the recipient's position within the family and before God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the blessing, initiated by Isaac's suspicious query in [Genesis 27:18](/genesis/27-18 "Read Genesis 27:18"), ultimately points to Christ as the true and rightful heir of all blessings, who obtains them not through trickery but through perfect obedience and self-sacrifice. Unlike Jacob, who grasped for a blessing through deceit, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the inheritor of the Abrahamic covenant and the ultimate blessing for all nations, a blessing freely bestowed upon those who believe in Him. He is the one who truly fulfills God's promises, not by manipulating circumstances but by embodying truth and grace. In Christ, believers receive the spiritual blessings intended for God's children, not through human effort or deception, but through divine grace and His perfect work, making Him the ultimate "seed" through whom all families of the earth are blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Read about God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3")).

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.