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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:21 presents a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob's deception, where the aged and blind Isaac, harboring suspicion due to Jacob's voice, requests his son to draw near so he might physically verify his identity through touch. This interaction underscores Isaac's profound vulnerability, the elaborate nature of Rebekah and Jacob's scheme to secure the patriarchal blessing, and the high stakes involved in the transfer of the covenantal inheritance, setting the stage for deep familial conflict and divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 27 opens with Isaac, now old and with failing eyesight, intending to bestow the irrevocable patriarchal blessing upon his firstborn, Esau, after a meal of wild game. Unbeknownst to him, Rebekah, having overheard Isaac's instructions to Esau, conspires with her favored son, Jacob, to usurp the blessing. Jacob, initially hesitant due to his smooth skin contrasting with Esau's hairiness, is persuaded by Rebekah to disguise himself with Esau's clothes and goat skins on his hands and neck. The immediate verses ([Genesis 27:18-20](/genesis/27-18-20 "Genesis 27:18-20 - Jacob's First Encounter with Isaac")) show Jacob presenting himself to Isaac, who immediately notes the discrepancy between the voice (Jacob's) and the perceived feel of his hands (Esau's). Verse 21 is Isaac's direct command for Jacob to come closer, driven by this profound suspicion, as he attempts to reconcile the conflicting sensory information. This moment is the climax of the immediate deception, where the success or failure of the plot hinges on Isaac's ability to discern truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the patriarchal blessing was a legally and spiritually binding pronouncement, often delivered orally by the father before his death. It carried immense weight, conferring authority, inheritance, and divine favor upon the recipient, typically the firstborn son (primogeniture). This blessing was considered irrevocable, highlighting its sacred and unalterable nature. For a visually impaired person like Isaac, touch was a crucial and often primary means of identification, especially for intimate family members. The act of "feeling" someone's hands or body was a common and trusted method of verification. The use of animal skins to mimic Esau's hairy arms was a clever, albeit deceitful, exploitation of this cultural reliance on tactile sensation, demonstrating a deep understanding of Isaac's vulnerability and the customary methods of identification.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to several key themes woven throughout Genesis. It vividly illustrates the theme of **deception and its consequences**, as Jacob and Rebekah's elaborate scheme sets in motion a chain of events leading to familial strife and separation. Isaac's physical blindness serves as a potent **symbol of spiritual discernment**, or lack thereof, highlighting human fallibility even among patriarchs. The tension between Isaac's intention to bless Esau and God's prior prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - God's Prophecy to Rebekah")) introduces the theme of **divine sovereignty working through human imperfection and sin**. Furthermore, the struggle over the blessing underscores the profound significance of **inheritance and covenantal promise** within the Abrahamic lineage, demonstrating how God's purposes ultimately prevail despite human machinations.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse "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" captures a moment of intense suspense and sensory conflict.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Isaac (Hebrew, _Yitschâq'_):** From H3327, meaning "laughter (i.e. mockery)." This name, given at his birth, ironically foreshadows the "mockery" of the situation he now faces, where his senses are deceived, and his intentions are thwarted. Isaac, the son of promise, is now a figure of vulnerability, relying on touch to ascertain truth.
* **Come near (Hebrew, _nâgash'_):** From H5066, meaning "to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose)." Isaac's command for Jacob to "come near" is not merely an invitation but a demand for proximity for a specific purpose: physical examination. This closeness intensifies the tension, placing Jacob directly within Isaac's grasp, making the deception even more precarious.
* **feel (Hebrew, _mûwsh'_):** From H4184, meaning "to touch; feel, handle." This word highlights Isaac's primary method of verification in his blindness. His reliance on touch, a seemingly reliable sense, becomes the very avenue through which he is deceived. The act of "feeling" is meant to confirm identity, but here it becomes the instrument of misidentification.
* **very (Hebrew, _zeh'_):** From H2088, a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this or that; he, ...the self same." Isaac's use of "my very son Esau" (literally "my son, this one, Esau") emphasizes his desperate need for absolute certainty. He is seeking an unequivocal confirmation of identity, a direct affirmation that the person before him is indeed the specific, true Esau, not an imposter.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Isaac said unto Jacob":** This opening clause immediately sets the scene, identifying the two main characters in this tense interaction. Isaac, the patriarch, is speaking directly to Jacob, the one perpetrating the deception. The direct address heightens the personal stakes of the encounter.
* **"Come near, I pray thee":** This is Isaac's direct command, indicating his immediate suspicion and his need for closer inspection. The phrase "I pray thee" adds a touch of urgency or solemnity to his request, as if he is imploring Jacob to cooperate with his attempt to discern the truth.
* **"that I may feel thee, my son":** This clause reveals Isaac's intention and his method of verification. Due to his blindness, touch is his primary means of distinguishing between his sons, whose voices he could differentiate but whose physical characteristics (Esau's hairiness vs. Jacob's smoothness) were distinct. He refers to him as "my son," maintaining the pretense of addressing Esau while harboring doubt.
* **"whether thou [be] my very son Esau or not":** This concluding clause articulates Isaac's profound doubt and the central question of the moment. He is explicitly questioning the identity of the person before him, indicating that Jacob's voice has raised a significant red flag. The phrase "my very son Esau" underscores his desire for an authentic, undeniable confirmation of Esau's presence, rather than a mere resemblance.

#### Literary Devices
The passage makes poignant use of several literary devices. **Irony** is central, as Isaac, whose name means "laughter," is now in a situation that is anything but humorous, being meticulously deceived by his own family. The very sense he relies upon for truth (touch) is precisely what has been manipulated, creating a tragic irony. **Symbolism** is powerfully present in Isaac's physical blindness, which serves as a metaphor for his spiritual blindness or lack of discernment in this critical moment. Despite hearing Jacob's voice, he prioritizes the manipulated sense of touch, failing to "see" the truth of the situation. This foreshadows broader biblical themes of spiritual sight versus physical sight. Furthermore, the entire scene functions as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the future conflict and separation between Jacob and Esau, and the complex, often difficult, ways in which God's sovereign plan unfolds through flawed human actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:21 profoundly illustrates the tension between human agency and divine sovereignty, a recurring theme throughout scripture. While Jacob and Rebekah employ deceit to secure the blessing, God's ultimate purpose, declared before their birth—that "the elder shall serve the younger"—is nevertheless fulfilled. This highlights that God's plans are not thwarted by human sin, though sin always carries its own painful consequences, as seen in the subsequent familial strife and Jacob's flight. The passage also underscores the sacredness and irrevocability of the patriarchal blessing, emphasizing the weight of spoken words and covenantal promises, both human and divine.

* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "Romans 9:10-13 - God's Sovereign Choice of Jacob")
* [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Proverbs 12:22 - The Lord Detests Lying Lips")
* [Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham Comes to Gentiles")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:21 serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the insidious nature of deception and its far-reaching consequences. It compels us to examine our own lives, asking whether we are tempted to employ dishonest means to achieve desired outcomes, even if those outcomes seem "good" or aligned with what we perceive as God's will. The passage reminds us that while God's sovereignty ensures His ultimate purposes prevail, our sinful actions still incur painful relational and personal fallout. Isaac's vulnerability also prompts us to consider our own susceptibility to being misled, whether through a lack of discernment, an over-reliance on limited senses, or a failure to trust God's timing and methods. We are called to cultivate integrity in our words and deeds, to seek divine wisdom that transcends mere sensory perception, and to trust that God's perfect plan does not require our sinful manipulation. This narrative encourages us to walk in truth, knowing that genuine blessing flows from faithfulness, not from cunning schemes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when I feel that God's promises or blessings are not unfolding in my life as quickly or clearly as I desire? Am I tempted to "help" God along?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying too heavily on my own limited perceptions or senses, rather than seeking spiritual discernment and divine truth?**
* **What are the long-term consequences of even "successful" deceptions, both for myself and for my relationships with others?**
* **How does this story challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty in the face of human sin and imperfection?**

### FAQ
**Why did Isaac rely on touch to identify Jacob, despite his voice?**

Answer: Isaac's physical blindness meant he could not visually identify the person before him. While he clearly recognized Jacob's voice, stating, "The voice is Jacob's voice" in [Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Genesis 27:22 - Isaac's Doubt"), he was also aware of Esau's distinctive hairy arms. Jacob's hands and neck had been covered with goat skins by Rebekah to mimic Esau's hairiness, as described in [Genesis 27:16](/genesis/27-16 "Genesis 27:16 - Rebekah's Plan"). Isaac, therefore, used his sense of touch as a secondary, and in this instance, manipulated, means of verification. His reliance on this tactile confirmation, despite his auditory suspicion, ultimately led to his deception, as the feel of the hands overrode the sound of the voice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 27:21 depicts human deception and a flawed means of securing a blessing, it ultimately points to Christ, the true and perfect heir. Jacob, the deceiver, becomes part of the lineage through which the Messiah would come, demonstrating God's ability to work through imperfect human instruments to achieve His redemptive purposes. Unlike Jacob, who obtained the blessing through lies and manipulation, Christ is the "true Esau," the rightful Firstborn who inherits all things not by deceit, but by divine right and perfect obedience ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things")). He is the one who truly sees and discerns, unlike Isaac's physical and spiritual blindness, for He is the "Light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World")) and the one who perfectly reveals the Father, whom no one has ever seen ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Son Reveals the Father")). In Christ, the ultimate blessing is freely given through grace, not seized through cunning, and His identity as the Son of God is unequivocally true, offering a perfect fulfillment of the promises that the patriarchs sought, free from the stain of sin and deception.

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.

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.