Genesis 27:4

KJV

And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring [it] to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

KJV (with Strong's)

And make {H6213} me savoury meat {H4303}, such as {H834} I love {H157}, and bring {H935} it to me, that I may eat {H398}; that my soul {H5315} may bless {H1288} thee before {H2962} I die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Make it tasty, the way I like it; and bring it to me to eat. Then I will bless you [as firstborn], before I die."

Berean Standard Bible

Then prepare a tasty dish that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.”

American Standard Version

and make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 27:4 captures the pivotal moment when the aging and blind patriarch Isaac, believing his death to be near, instructs his elder son Esau to prepare a special, savory meal. This request was a traditional prerequisite for Isaac to bestow upon Esau the solemn patriarchal blessing, a profound and binding declaration of spiritual and material inheritance, thereby setting in motion the dramatic family deception orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within a critical juncture in the patriarchal narrative, immediately preceding the unfolding drama of deception and familial strife. Isaac, now advanced in years and visually impaired, expresses a deep desire to finalize his legacy by conferring the patriarchal blessing upon his firstborn, Esau. This act was understood not merely as a wish but as an irrevocable transfer of divine favor and authority, carrying immense spiritual and material weight in ancient Near Eastern culture. Unbeknownst to Isaac, his instruction to Esau would inadvertently pave the way for Rebekah and Jacob's elaborate scheme to divert this blessing, despite God's earlier prophetic declaration regarding the two brothers in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy concerning Jacob and Esau").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Isaac's words in [Genesis 27:4](/genesis/27-4 "Read Genesis 27:4 KJV") reveal his conviction that his life was drawing to a close, creating a sense of urgency for the blessing. He calls for Esau, his favored son, to prepare "savoury meat, such as I love." The Hebrew term for "savoury meat" is *ma'ta'amim* (מַטְעַמִּים), denoting delicacies or highly palatable food, emphasizing Isaac's specific craving and the sensory aspect of his preference for Esau, the skilled hunter. This personal preference for Esau, rooted in the food he provided, highlights a clear instance of parental favoritism that contrasts sharply with Rebekah's preference for Jacob, establishing a tension that ultimately leads to profound family discord.

The purpose of this meal is explicitly stated: "that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die." The verb "bless" translates the Hebrew *barak* (בָּרַךְ), which signifies far more than a casual good wish. It implies a formal, powerful pronouncement of favor, prosperity, and spiritual endowment, issued from a position of authority. Isaac's declaration, "that my soul may bless thee," underscores the profound spiritual depth and personal commitment he intended to pour into this act. It was to be a blessing emanating from the deepest part of his being, conveying his legacy and the covenant promises to the next generation. This act was seen as binding and irrevocable, a solemn transfer of spiritual and material heritage. Although Isaac lived for many more years after this event, his perceived imminent death underscored the gravity and finality he attached to settling his affairs and passing on his legacy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **The Power and Irrevocability of the Patriarchal Blessing:** In ancient Near Eastern culture, a father's blessing was a potent, binding declaration, believed to convey spiritual and material heritage and divine favor, highlighting the gravity of Isaac's intention.
* **Parental Favoritism and its Consequences:** Isaac's explicit preference for Esau, mirroring Rebekah's for Jacob, illustrates the divisive and destructive impact of favoritism within families, leading to jealousy, deceit, and long-lasting estrangement.
* **Human Imperfection and Divine Sovereignty:** This verse initiates a narrative where human plans, desires, and even deceptions (as seen in Jacob's subsequent reception of the blessing in [Genesis 27:27-29](/genesis/27-27 "Jacob receives Isaac's blessing")) intertwine with and ultimately serve God's overarching sovereign purposes, demonstrating His ability to work through flawed human actions.
* **The Anticipation of Death and Legacy:** Isaac's words reflect a universal human concern with mortality and the desire to pass on one's legacy and blessings before departing, emphasizing the importance of intentional generational transfer.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:4 offers timeless insights for contemporary life, serving as a cautionary tale about the pervasive dangers of parental favoritism, which can sow seeds of resentment, jealousy, and destructive behaviors within families, as tragically evidenced by Esau's hatred for Jacob in [Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's hatred for Jacob"). Isaac's earnest desire to bless his son before his perceived death also underscores the profound significance of intentionally passing on values, wisdom, and spiritual heritage to the next generation, encouraging us to consider our own legacies. Moreover, the subsequent events remind us that even amidst human frailty, poor judgment, and outright deception, God's ultimate plan and purpose prevail, offering comfort and assurance that His will can be accomplished even through imperfect people and circumstances.

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "savoury meat" in Isaac's request?**

Answer: The "savoury meat" (Hebrew: *ma'ta'amim*) was not just any meal but a delicacy, a highly palatable food specifically loved by Isaac. Its significance lay in its role as a traditional and personal prerequisite for the patriarchal blessing. It was a sensory act intended to bring Isaac pleasure and prepare him spiritually and emotionally to bestow such a profound and binding blessing.

**Why was the patriarchal blessing considered so important and binding?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, a father's blessing was far more than a mere good wish; it was a formal, powerful, and often irrevocable pronouncement of spiritual and material inheritance, prosperity, and divine favor. It was believed to convey authority and destiny, shaping the recipient's future, and was seen as a solemn act of transferring legacy from one generation to the next, often with a spiritual dimension tied to the covenant promises.

**Did Isaac actually die soon after giving this blessing?**

Answer: No, Isaac did not die soon after this event. Although he believed his death was imminent, he lived for many more years, eventually dying at the age of 180 (see [Genesis 35:28-29](/genesis/35-28 "Isaac's death and burial")). His perception of imminent death, however, highlights the gravity and urgency he placed on bestowing the blessing and settling his affairs.

**How does this verse relate to God's sovereignty?**

Answer: This verse sets the stage for a narrative where human actions, including Isaac's favoritism and Rebekah and Jacob's deception, are deeply flawed. Yet, despite these imperfections, God's sovereign plan to elevate Jacob over Esau (as prophesied in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about Jacob and Esau")) ultimately prevails. It illustrates that God can work through human sin and poor judgment to accomplish His divine purposes, demonstrating His ultimate control over human history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 27:4, with its focus on a father's solemn blessing and the subsequent narrative of its misdirection and ultimate fulfillment through God's sovereign plan, points forward to the ultimate spiritual blessing found in Christ. The earthly, material inheritance Isaac sought to bestow foreshadows the spiritual inheritance and eternal life that believers receive through Jesus, the true heir of all things. Just as God worked through the flawed human actions of Jacob and Rebekah to ensure the Abrahamic covenant line continued through Jacob, so too does God's plan of salvation through Christ unfold perfectly, despite humanity's sin and rebellion. Christ is the one through whom all the families of the earth are truly blessed, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham, and in Him, we receive an irrevocable, eternal blessing that far surpasses any earthly inheritance.

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.