Genesis 27:32

KJV

And Isaac his father said unto him, Who [art] thou? And he said, I [am] thy son, thy firstborn Esau.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaac {H3327} his father {H1} said {H559} unto him, Who art thou? And he said {H559}, I am thy son {H1121}, thy firstborn {H1060} Esau {H6215}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yitz'chak his father said to him, "Who are you?" and he answered, "I am your son, your firstborn, 'Esav."

Berean Standard Bible

But his father Isaac replied, “Who are you?” “I am Esau, your firstborn son,” he answered.

American Standard Version

And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:32 captures the dramatic moment of revelation when the true Esau confronts his blind father, Isaac, who has just mistakenly bestowed the patriarchal blessing upon Jacob. Isaac's bewildered question, "Who art thou?", reveals his dawning, horrifying realization of Jacob's deception, setting the stage for Esau's bitter anguish and the ensuing familial conflict.

### CONTEXT
This pivotal verse immediately follows Jacob's successful deception of his blind father, Isaac, orchestrated by his mother Rebekah, to secure the [blessing intended for his elder brother, Esau](/genesis/27-28 "Isaac's blessing to Jacob in Genesis 27:28"). Jacob, disguised with goatskins to mimic Esau's hairy arms and wearing Esau's clothes, carried out the deceitful plan [as instructed by Rebekah](/genesis/27-15 "Rebekah's plan for Jacob to deceive Isaac in Genesis 27:15"). Esau, returning from hunting venison as his father requested, arrives only to discover the blessing has already been given. Isaac's incredulous question, "Who art thou?", signifies his sudden, devastating realization of the trickery. Esau's immediate and truthful reply confirms the unsettling reality, initiating a cascade of consequences, including Esau's [bitter cry](/genesis/27-34 "Esau's bitter cry and plea for a blessing in Genesis 27:34") and the subsequent deep-seated feud between the brothers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV's simple yet profound question, "Who art thou?", translates a Hebrew phrase conveying profound shock and disbelief. This starkly contrasts Isaac's earlier hesitation in [Genesis 27:22](/genesis/27-22 "Isaac's doubt about Jacob's voice in Genesis 27:22"), where he noted, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." Esau's immediate, truthful response shatters any lingering doubt, confirming the deeply unsettling reality of the deception. This verse serves as the climax of the deception narrative, moving from Jacob's successful trickery to the painful moment of its discovery.

* **Deception and its Consequences:** This verse highlights the immediate fallout of Jacob's elaborate deceit. While Jacob gains the blessing, it comes at a significant cost, leading to years of separation from his family and ongoing tension, as seen in Jacob's [fear of Esau](/genesis/32-7 "Jacob's fear and preparation to meet Esau in Genesis 32:7") years later. The narrative underscores that while God's purposes prevail, human sin introduces pain and complexity.
* **Mistaken Identity:** Isaac's question underscores the central theme of mistaken identity. The sensory details (smell of clothes, feel of skin, sound of voice) that previously confused Isaac now lead to a stark revelation, emphasizing the vulnerability of human perception.
* **The Irreversible Blessing:** Despite the deception, the patriarchal blessing given by Isaac was considered binding and irreversible in ancient Near Eastern culture, demonstrating its profound spiritual weight. This emphasizes God's sovereign hand working through human actions, even flawed ones, to fulfill His purposes concerning the covenant lineage.
* **Human Imperfection and Divine Plan:** This narrative, though filled with human failings, ultimately serves to advance God's long-term plan for the chosen people. It illustrates God's ability to use imperfect vessels and circumstances to achieve His will, showcasing His overarching sovereignty even amidst human sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Sovereignty of God vs. Human Responsibility:** The narrative powerfully illustrates that God's divine plan (e.g., [the older serving the younger](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah about her sons in Genesis 25:23")) will ultimately prevail, even when human agents resort to sinful means. This does not condone the sin but highlights God's ability to work through and despite human imperfection.
* **Consequences of Deception:** The immediate and long-term fallout of Jacob's deceit (familial strife, Jacob's exile, fear) serves as a stark biblical warning about the destructive nature of dishonesty, even when seemingly motivated by a desire for a divine promise.
* **The Nature of Blessing and Covenant:** The irreversible nature of Isaac's blessing underscores the gravity of patriarchal blessings in the ancient world and their connection to God's covenant promises, which were understood to be divinely ordained and binding.
* **Identity and Election:** The struggle over identity and the blessing highlights themes of divine election and the complex ways in which God's chosen lineage is established, often through unexpected and morally ambiguous circumstances.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:32 serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring consequences of dishonesty and the importance of integrity. While Jacob ultimately received the blessing, his path was fraught with difficulty, fear, and years of separation from his family, demonstrating that even if a desired outcome is achieved through deceit, the journey is often marked by pain and complication. This narrative encourages us to consider the far-reaching impact of our choices, especially those lacking truthfulness, and to trust in God's sovereign plan rather than resorting to manipulative means to achieve our desires. It reminds us that God can work through imperfect people and circumstances, but our integrity remains vital for peace and healthy relationships.

### FAQ
**Why was Isaac's blessing to Jacob irreversible, even though it was obtained by deception?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, particularly within the patriarchal system, a spoken blessing from a father, especially a deathbed blessing, was considered a legally and spiritually binding act, believed to carry divine authority. Once pronounced, it was seen as a decree that could not be revoked, as it was understood to be an articulation of God's will or a powerful pronouncement that would shape the recipient's destiny. Isaac's lament in [Genesis 27:33](/genesis/27-33 "Isaac's realization and confirmation of the blessing in Genesis 27:33") ("I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him; yea, and he shall be blessed") confirms its finality, reflecting the belief that such blessings were not merely wishes but potent pronouncements. This highlights the weight given to spoken words and the divine hand in fulfilling destiny, even through human error and sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's deceit and the irreversible blessing, despite its human failings, ultimately points to the greater, perfect blessing found in Jesus Christ. Jacob, though flawed, became part of the lineage through whom the Messiah would come. The earthly, temporal blessing obtained through guile foreshadows the eternal, spiritual blessing freely given in Christ, not through human manipulation but through divine grace. Christ is the true **firstborn** (Colossians 1:15), who perfectly fulfills the covenant promises and bestows an unrevocable blessing of salvation and eternal life upon all who believe, a blessing not subject to human deceit or error, but secured by His perfect obedience and sacrifice.

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.