Genesis 27:21

And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou [be] my very son Esau or not.

And Isaac {H3327} said {H559} unto Jacob {H3290}, Come near {H5066}, I pray thee, that I may feel {H4184} thee, my son {H1121}, whether thou be my very {H2088} son {H1121} Esau {H6215} or not.

Yitz'chak said to Ya'akov, "Come here, close to me, so I can touch you, my son, and know whether you are in fact my son 'Esav or not."

Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?”

And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

Commentary

Genesis 27:21 (KJV)

"And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou [be] my very son Esau or not."

Commentary

This verse captures a pivotal moment in the deception orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob to secure the patriarchal blessing intended for Esau. Isaac, old and blind, relies on his sense of touch to verify the identity of the son who has come to receive the blessing.

Historical and Cultural Context

In this ancient Near Eastern context, the firstborn son typically received a special blessing from the father, often carrying significant spiritual and material inheritance. Isaac's blindness makes him vulnerable, and the customs surrounding the blessing highlight the importance placed on the father's final words and intentions. The use of touch was a primary way for the blind to identify people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deception: The core theme of the chapter is Jacob and Rebekah's elaborate lie to gain the blessing. This verse shows Isaac's attempt to discern the truth through physical touch.
  • Blindness and Perception: Isaac's physical blindness serves as a metaphor for his inability to see through the deception, relying instead on unreliable sensory information manipulated by Jacob.
  • Identity: The question "whether thou [be] my very son Esau or not" underscores the central conflict – the struggle over who is truly the intended recipient of the blessing.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "my very son Esau" emphasizes Isaac's desire for certainty and genuine identity confirmation. He wants to be sure this is indeed his firstborn.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of deception and the pain it can inflict within families. It highlights how easily our senses or limited perspectives can be misled, emphasizing the need for integrity and truthfulness in our interactions. It also foreshadows the complex journey of Jacob and his family, marked by both God's promises and the fallout of human sin.

See also: Genesis 27:12 (Jacob's fear of being discovered), Genesis 27:26 (Isaac's request for a kiss before the blessing).

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 57:19

    I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

  • James 4:8

    Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

  • Genesis 27:12

    My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

  • Psalms 73:28

    But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
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