Genesis 27:23

KJV

And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he discerned {H5234} him not, because his hands {H3027} were hairy {H8163}, as his brother {H251} Esau's {H6215} hands {H3027}: so he blessed {H1288} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, he didn't detect him; because his hands were hairy like his brother 'Esav's hands; so he gave him his blessing.

Berean Standard Bible

Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him.

American Standard Version

And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:23 describes the crucial moment when Isaac, despite initial suspicion, was convinced by Jacob's physical disguise—goatskins mimicking Esau's hairy hands—and proceeded to bestow the patriarchal blessing upon him, unaware of the deception. This act solidified Jacob's acquisition of the blessing intended for his elder brother, Esau, setting in motion significant family conflict and aligning, albeit through flawed human means, with God's preordained plan.

### CONTEXT
This verse is embedded within Genesis chapter 27, a narrative detailing Isaac's intention to bless his firstborn son, Esau, before his death, as his eyesight had significantly failed ([Genesis 27:1](/genesis/27-1 "Isaac's failing eyesight")). Rebekah, Isaac's wife and Jacob's mother, overheard this plan and orchestrated a scheme for Jacob to impersonate Esau ([Genesis 27:6-13](/genesis/27-6 "Rebekah's plan to deceive Isaac")). To mimic Esau's distinctive hairiness, Jacob adorned himself with goatskins on his hands and neck ([Genesis 27:16](/genesis/27-16 "Jacob's disguise with goatskins")). Although Isaac recognized Jacob's voice, the tactile evidence of the hairy hands ultimately overrode his auditory suspicion, leading him to believe he was blessing Esau.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 27:23 captures the climax of Jacob's deception, highlighting Isaac's sensory limitations and the effectiveness of the disguise:

* **"And he discerned him not"**: The Hebrew verb here is יַכִּרֵהוּ (*yakkirehu*), from the root נָכַר (*nakar*), meaning "to recognize," "to distinguish," or "to acknowledge." Isaac's failure to *nakar* Jacob underscores his complete inability to perceive the truth of the situation. His blindness was not only physical but also led to a profound misjudgment of identity, despite his initial vocal suspicion ([Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac's suspicion about Jacob's voice")).
* **"because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands"**: This phrase reveals the critical element of Jacob's disguise. The goatskins applied to Jacob's smooth skin successfully mimicked Esau's natural hairiness, which was a defining physical characteristic. Isaac's reliance on touch, a sense he could still employ, became the decisive factor in his mistaken identification. This emphasizes how easily external appearances can mislead when discernment is impaired.
* **"so he blessed him"**: The immediate consequence of Isaac's mistaken discernment was the pronouncement of the patriarchal blessing. This blessing was not a mere wish but a powerful, binding, and irrevocable pronouncement of divine favor, prosperity, and authority, carrying immense spiritual and social weight in ancient Near Eastern culture. Once given, it could not be rescinded, a point tragically evident in Esau's later bitter lament ([Genesis 27:34-38](/genesis/27-34 "Esau's bitter cry over the lost blessing")). The verse thus marks the successful, albeit deceptive, transfer of the covenant blessing from the firstborn to the younger son.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Deception and Its Consequences**: The verse highlights the success of Jacob's elaborate deception, which, while achieving the desired blessing, immediately led to profound family discord, Esau's murderous hatred ([Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's hatred for Jacob")), and Jacob's subsequent flight and years of hardship. It serves as a stark reminder that even when God's purposes are ultimately served, human sin and manipulation carry severe repercussions.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency**: While Jacob's actions are clearly sinful, many theologians interpret this event as God working through imperfect human means to fulfill His sovereign plan. God had previously declared that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), and Esau had already demonstrated his disregard for his birthright by selling it for a meal ([Genesis 25:33-34](/genesis/25-33 "Esau selling his birthright")). This narrative illustrates God's ability to achieve His ultimate will despite, and even through, human failings.
* **The Power and Irrevocability of the Blessing**: The patriarchal blessing was considered sacred and binding. Once pronounced, it was believed to be an act of God through the patriarch, and thus unchangeable. This emphasizes the weight and significance of spoken words, particularly those invoking divine favor, in biblical thought.
* **Sensory Perception and Spiritual Discernment**: Isaac's reliance on touch over sound, and his ultimate failure to "discern" Jacob, can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual blindness. It underscores the danger of relying solely on physical senses or superficial evidence when true discernment, which often requires spiritual insight, is needed.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Genesis 27:23 offers profound lessons on integrity and trust. It cautions against the use of deception and manipulation, even when attempting to achieve what might seem like a divinely ordained outcome. While God can indeed work through human imperfections to accomplish His will, this does not condone the sin involved. Instead, the story encourages believers to walk in integrity, trusting in God's perfect timing and methods, rather than resorting to schemes that sow discord and ultimately bring their own painful consequences. It reminds us that God's purposes are often deeper and more complex than our immediate understanding, and His ultimate will can prevail despite human failings.

### FAQ

**Did God condone Jacob's deception in Genesis 27:23?**

Answer: No, the Bible does not condone Jacob's deception. While the outcome of Jacob receiving the blessing aligned with God's prior prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), the narrative clearly portrays the negative consequences of Jacob's actions, including family strife, Esau's hatred, and Jacob's subsequent exile. God's sovereignty means He can work through human sin to achieve His purposes, but it does not imply His approval of the sinful means.

**Why was Isaac's blessing considered irrevocable once given?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, and particularly in the biblical narrative, a patriarchal blessing was viewed as a solemn, divinely inspired pronouncement that carried immense spiritual and legal weight. It was believed to be an act of God through the patriarch, conferring authority, prosperity, and divine favor. Once spoken, it was considered binding and could not be taken back, as demonstrated by Esau's inability to reverse it, despite his bitter pleas ([Genesis 27:34-38](/genesis/27-34 "Esau's bitter cry over the lost blessing")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 27:23, though depicting a flawed acquisition of blessing through deception, ultimately points to Christ as the true and perfect inheritor and bestower of blessing. Jacob, the younger son, obtains the birthright and blessing through cunning and disguise, foreshadowing a reversal of human expectation that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Jesus, the "younger" in terms of His humble birth and suffering, perfectly fulfills the divine plan without any deception or sin. He is the true heir of all things, through whom all nations are blessed, not by trickery, but by His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and resurrection. In Christ, believers receive a spiritual inheritance and blessing far greater than any earthly one, secured not by human manipulation, but by God's grace and Christ's righteous work.

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.