Genesis 27:5

KJV

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt [for] venison, [and] to bring [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

And Rebekah {H7259} heard {H8085} when Isaac {H3327} spake {H1696} to Esau {H6215} his son {H1121}. And Esau {H6215} went {H3212} to the field {H7704} to hunt {H6679} for venison {H6718}, and to bring {H935} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rivkah was listening when Yitz'chak spoke to his son 'Esav. So when 'Esav went out to the country to hunt for game and bring it back,

Berean Standard Bible

Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac told his son Esau. So when Esau went into the field to hunt game and bring it back,

American Standard Version

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 27:5](/genesis/27-5 "The beginning of Rebekah's deception") sets the stage for a pivotal family deception, revealing Rebekah's immediate and decisive action upon overhearing Isaac's instructions to Esau regarding the patriarchal blessing. This verse initiates the elaborate scheme Rebekah and Jacob will concoct to secure the firstborn's blessing for Jacob, fundamentally altering the family's trajectory and highlighting the deep-seated favoritism and divine election at play.

### CONTEXT
This verse immediately precedes the elaborate scheme concocted by Rebekah and Jacob to secure the blessing for Jacob, instead of Esau. Isaac, now old and nearly blind, desires to bestow his final, crucial blessing upon his firstborn son, Esau, after Esau prepares a savory meal for him from his hunting. The narrative of Jacob and Esau is rich with themes of sibling rivalry and divine election, rooted in God's prophecy to Rebekah that [the elder shall serve the younger](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy about the two nations in Genesis 25:23"). This verse highlights Rebekah's pivotal role as she overhears Isaac's specific instructions to Esau, which becomes the catalyst for her immediate intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 27:5](/genesis/27-5 "Rebekah overhears Isaac's instructions") is deceptively simple, yet it functions as the critical turning point in the narrative, moving from Isaac's intention to Rebekah's intervention. The verse establishes Rebekah's active role in the unfolding drama, setting the stage for the deception that follows.

* **Rebekah's Initiative:** The phrase "Rebekah heard" (Hebrew: *shama'*) implies more than passive listening; it conveys attentive hearing with the intent to act. Her immediate response to Isaac's words reveals her decisive and proactive character. She doesn't merely observe the situation but immediately begins to formulate a plan based on the crucial information she gathers from Isaac's instructions to Esau. This underscores her determination to influence the outcome of the blessing.
* **The Power of Words:** Isaac's words to Esau are not casual but carry immense spiritual and familial weight, initiating a sacred ritual of blessing. Rebekah's interception of these words highlights their profound importance and her resolve to alter their intended recipient, demonstrating her understanding of the blessing's significance.
* **Setting the Stage for Deception:** This verse represents the calm before the storm, the precise moment Rebekah gains the vital intelligence needed to orchestrate the deception that will follow. It emphasizes the quiet, almost conspiratorial, beginning of a major family conflict that will have long-lasting consequences.
* **Family Dynamics Revealed:** The verse subtly reveals the underlying family dynamics: Isaac's clear intention to bless Esau, his favorite ([Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Isaac's favoritism for Esau")), and Rebekah's deep involvement in her sons' lives, driven by her own favoritism towards Jacob. This imbalance in parental affection contributes to the tension and conflict within the family.

The term "venison" in the KJV comes from the Hebrew word *tzayid* (צַיִד), which refers to hunted game or provisions. It specifically highlights the type of wild, savory food Isaac craved, setting it apart from the domesticated animals Jacob would later prepare. Rebekah's awareness of this specific request is crucial to her plan, as she directs Jacob to [fetch two good kids of the goats](/genesis/27-9 "Rebekah's instructions to Jacob") to mimic the taste of venison. This detail underscores the meticulous nature of Rebekah's scheme.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Human Agency:** While God had already declared that [the elder would serve the younger](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah"), Rebekah's actions demonstrate human attempts to "help" God fulfill His promises through deceptive means. This highlights the tension between divine decree and human responsibility, and the often-flawed methods people employ.
* **The Weight of the Patriarchal Blessing:** The narrative underscores the immense spiritual and material significance of the patriarchal blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture. It was not merely a wish but a pronouncement believed to carry divine authority and determine one's future.
* **Consequences of Deception and Favoritism:** The deception orchestrated by Rebekah and Jacob, stemming from parental favoritism, leads to significant family strife, estrangement, and hardship, demonstrating the destructive power of sin within intimate relationships.
* **God's Ability to Work Through Imperfection:** Despite the sin and deception involved, God's sovereign plan to bring the lineage of the Messiah through Jacob is ultimately fulfilled, illustrating His capacity to achieve His purposes even through human failings.
* **The Nature of Hearing and Obedience:** Rebekah "hears" with intent to act, but her actions are not in faithful obedience to God's *method*, even if she believes she is aligning with His *purpose*. This raises questions about the nature of true hearing and faithful response to God's word.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 27:5](/genesis/27-5 "Rebekah's eavesdropping and planning") serves as a potent reminder of how quickly family dynamics can shift when intentions are misunderstood or when individuals act on their own perceived righteousness rather than trusting God's timing and methods. It highlights the dangers of eavesdropping, manipulation, and deception within relationships. While Rebekah might have believed she was helping to fulfill God's prophecy, her chosen method of deception led to years of estrangement and hardship for her family. The narrative encourages reflection on the importance of honest communication, the long-term consequences of our actions—even when driven by seemingly good intentions—and the call to trust God's sovereignty rather than resorting to human schemes. Ultimately, it also shows how God's plan can work through human imperfections and even sin to achieve His purposes.

### FAQ
**Why did Rebekah feel the need to intervene if God had already prophesied about Jacob?**

Answer: Rebekah's intervention, though rooted in the divine prophecy that [the elder would serve the younger](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah"), demonstrates a lack of trust in God's timing and methods. She likely feared that Isaac, favoring Esau ([Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Isaac's love for Esau")), would bypass God's declared will. Her actions reflect a common human tendency to "help" God fulfill His promises through manipulative means, rather than patiently waiting for His sovereign hand to work.

**What is the significance of Isaac's request for "venison" specifically?**

Answer: Isaac's request for "venison" ([Genesis 27:3](/genesis/27-3 "Isaac's request for venison")) was significant because it was a specific type of wild game, requiring skill and effort to hunt. This act of hunting and preparing a savory meal was intended to be a ritualistic act of devotion from Esau to his father before receiving the blessing. Rebekah's plan to substitute goat meat ([Genesis 27:9](/genesis/27-9 "Rebekah's instructions to Jacob")) was a deliberate attempt to mimic this specific, desired offering, highlighting the meticulous nature of her deception and the importance of the sensory experience to Isaac.

**Does Rebekah's action in this verse condone deception for a "good" outcome?**

Answer: No, the biblical narrative does not condone Rebekah's deception. While God's ultimate purpose for Jacob was fulfilled, the immediate and long-term consequences of Rebekah's actions were severe, including Jacob's flight from home ([Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah sends Jacob away")), years of estrangement from his family, and the perpetuation of deceit within Jacob's own life. The text faithfully records human sin and its consequences, even when it intersects with God's sovereign plan, demonstrating that God can work through imperfect means without endorsing the sin itself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 27:5](/genesis/27-5 "Rebekah's scheme begins") and the ensuing narrative of Jacob's acquisition of the blessing, despite its deceptive means, ultimately point to the sovereign election of God and the nature of true spiritual blessing. Just as Jacob, the younger and seemingly less deserving, was chosen to carry the lineage of the promise over Esau, so too does God's grace often choose the unexpected and the humble, not based on human merit or firstborn status, but on His divine will. This foreshadows the New Covenant, where the true "firstborn" and heir of all things is Christ ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ as the firstborn of all creation")), and through Him, all who believe—regardless of their former status—become co-heirs of a spiritual blessing far greater than any earthly inheritance ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")). The pursuit of the blessing in Genesis 27, though flawed, anticipates the ultimate and perfect blessing found in Christ, who fulfills all the promises of God and bestows true spiritual life and inheritance upon His people.

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.