Genesis 27:24

KJV

And he said, [Art] thou my very son Esau? And he said, I [am].

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, Art thou my very son {H1121} Esau {H6215}? And he said {H559}, I am.

Complete Jewish Bible

He asked, "Are you really my son 'Esav?"And he replied, "I am."

Berean Standard Bible

Again he asked, “Are you really my son Esau?” And he replied, “I am.”

American Standard Version

And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 27:24](/genesis/27-24 "The Deception of Isaac") captures the climactic moment of Jacob's deception of his blind father, Isaac, to secure the patriarchal blessing intended for Esau. Isaac, deeply suspicious due to conflicting sensory evidence, directly questions Jacob's identity, to which Jacob, disguised and lying, unequivocally affirms he is Esau, thereby sealing the fraudulent transfer of the irreplaceable blessing.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse occurs amidst a meticulously orchestrated deception by Rebekah and Jacob to circumvent Isaac's intention to bless Esau, his firstborn. Isaac, now old and blind, prepares to bestow the solemn patriarchal blessing, a binding declaration of divine favor and inheritance, upon Esau. However, Rebekah, recalling God's earlier prophecy that the elder would serve the younger ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy concerning Jacob and Esau")), devises a plan for Jacob to impersonate Esau. Jacob, covered in goat skins to mimic Esau's hairy hands and wearing Esau's clothes, approaches his father. Isaac's senses betray him; he notes, "[The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau](/genesis/27-22 'Isaac's suspicion of Jacob\'s voice')" ([Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac's suspicion")). Despite this profound suspicion, Isaac's desperate need for confirmation leads to the direct confrontation in [Genesis 27:24](/genesis/27-24 "Isaac's direct question to Jacob").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 27:24](/genesis/27-24 "Isaac's Question and Jacob's Lie") presents a stark exchange that underscores the tension and moral compromise within Isaac's family. Isaac, grappling with the conflicting sensory input from [Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac's initial suspicion"), makes one final, direct attempt to ascertain the identity of the son before him. His question is not merely an inquiry but a desperate plea for clarity, revealing his profound internal struggle.

Jacob's response is a concise and definitive lie, a stark affirmation that directly contradicts the truth and his father's deep-seated suspicions. This single word, "I am," uttered in the context of profound deceit, irrevocably sets in motion a chain of events with far-reaching consequences for Jacob, Esau, and their descendants. The gravity of the patriarchal blessing, considered irreversible and divinely sanctioned once given, elevates the stakes of this deception to an immense degree.

* **Linguistic Insights:**
* The KJV's bracketed words, `[Art]` and `[am]`, indicate terms supplied by the translators for grammatical clarity in English, not explicitly present in the original Hebrew text but implied by the syntax.
* Isaac's question, "Art thou my very son Esau?" in Hebrew uses the interrogative particle *ha* (הַ) and the emphatic pronoun *hu* (הוּא), literally "Are you he, my son Esau?" or "Are you indeed my son Esau?" This construction emphasizes Isaac's intense desire for an unequivocal answer, highlighting his lingering doubt despite the tactile evidence.
* Jacob's reply, "I am," is the simple Hebrew pronoun *ani* (אֲנִי). Its brevity and directness make it a stark, unqualified affirmation of his lie, devoid of hesitation or nuance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Deception and Its Consequences:** The verse powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of deceit. Jacob's lie, though seemingly successful in securing the blessing, leads to immediate family strife, Jacob's forced exile, and years of separation from his parents, demonstrating that even perceived "good" outcomes achieved through sinful means often yield bitter fruit.
* **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Means:** While God had prophesied that Jacob, the younger, would receive the blessing ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), Rebekah and Jacob resorted to manipulation rather than trusting God's timing and methods. This raises the theological tension between God's sovereign plan and human responsibility, showing that God's purposes will prevail, but He does not condone sinful means to achieve them, and such means always carry consequences.
* **The Patriarchal Blessing:** The scene underscores the immense value and binding nature of the patriarchal blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture. It was a solemn, spiritual, and material inheritance, believed to convey divine favor, prosperity, and authority, and was generally considered irreversible once pronounced. Isaac's insistence on confirming identity highlights the gravity of its bestowal.
* **The Flawed Nature of Patriarchs:** This narrative reveals the imperfections of even foundational figures in biblical history. Isaac is portrayed as susceptible to deception, and Jacob as willing to lie. This human frailty emphasizes that God works through imperfect people, highlighting His grace and faithfulness rather than human merit.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 27:24](/genesis/27-24 "The Cost of Deception") serves as a timeless warning against the allure of deception, even when motivated by a desire for a seemingly good outcome. Jacob's choice to lie, despite God's prior promise, demonstrates a lack of trust in divine providence and timing. The narrative reminds believers that integrity and truthfulness are paramount, for "[lying lips are abomination to the LORD](/proverbs/12-22 'God's view on lying')" ([Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Proverbs 12:22 KJV")). We are called to trust in God's perfect plan and righteous methods, understanding that "[whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap](/galatians/6-7 'The principle of sowing and reaping')" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 KJV")). Our actions, even those hidden or seemingly justified, have lasting consequences, reinforcing the importance of walking in truth and patience, allowing God to fulfill His purposes in His own way.

### FAQ
**Why was Isaac so easily deceived despite his suspicion?**

Answer: Isaac's blindness was a primary factor, forcing him to rely on touch and taste over sight. While he noted the discrepancy between Jacob's voice and the hairy hands, the elaborate disguise, the prepared meal, and perhaps a deep-seated desire to believe his son, allowed Jacob's definitive "I am" to override his lingering doubts. The cultural weight of an oath or direct affirmation also played a role.

**Did God approve of Jacob's deception to receive the blessing?**

Answer: No, the Bible consistently condemns deception and lying. While God had sovereignly purposed that Jacob would receive the blessing ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")), He did not condone the sinful means by which Jacob and Rebekah sought to achieve it. The subsequent years of hardship, fear, and family estrangement that Jacob experienced demonstrate the negative consequences of their actions, illustrating that God's will is accomplished despite human sin, not because of it.

**What was the significance of the patriarchal blessing in this context?**

Answer: The patriarchal blessing was a solemn, binding, and often irreversible declaration that conveyed spiritual and material inheritance, divine favor, and authority from the patriarch to his chosen heir. It was believed to be a conduit for God's covenant promises, ensuring prosperity, numerous descendants, and a special relationship with God. Its immense value is why Jacob and Rebekah went to such lengths to secure it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deception for the blessing in [Genesis 27:24](/genesis/27-24 "Jacob's Deception and the True Blessing") foreshadows and contrasts sharply with the true blessing found in Jesus Christ. Jacob, a flawed man, obtained a temporal blessing through deceit, highlighting humanity's inability to perfectly fulfill God's will and our fallen nature's tendency towards manipulation. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ is the true and ultimate heir, the perfectly obedient Son who genuinely receives and bestows the eternal blessing. Unlike Jacob, who presented a false identity, Christ is the authentic Son of God, who, through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, secured the New Covenant blessing for all who believe. He does not deceive but reveals truth, offering a spiritual inheritance that far surpasses any earthly blessing, freely given by grace, not gained through human contrivance. Through Christ, believers are truly blessed with adoption into God's family, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life, fulfilling the Abrahamic covenant in a way that Jacob's earthly blessing could only dimly prefigure.

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.