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 marks the critical turning point in the unfolding drama of Isaac's patriarchal blessing, capturing the precise moment Rebekah, with discerning intent, overhears Isaac's private instructions to Esau. This seemingly simple act of eavesdropping becomes the catalyst for a complex and far-reaching family deception, revealing Rebekah's proactive determination to ensure the divine prophecy regarding Jacob's preeminence is fulfilled, thereby setting in motion a chain of events that profoundly alters the trajectory of the covenant family.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Isaac's solemn charge to Esau to hunt and prepare a savory meal, a prerequisite for receiving the coveted patriarchal blessing. It serves as the narrative hinge, shifting the focus from Isaac's intention to Rebekah's immediate and decisive intervention. The preceding chapters have established the complex family dynamics, including Isaac's favoritism for Esau and Rebekah's preference for Jacob, alongside God's prophetic declaration in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah about her twin sons") that "the elder shall serve the younger." Genesis 27:5 thus initiates the elaborate scheme that Rebekah and Jacob will concoct, directly leading into Jacob's deception of his blind father and the subsequent flight from his brother's wrath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the patriarchal blessing was far more than a mere wish; it was a legally and spiritually binding pronouncement, believed to carry divine authority and determine the recipient's future prosperity, lineage, and standing within the community. It was often bestowed by the patriarch on his deathbed, signifying the transfer of authority and inheritance. The act of preparing a special meal, particularly hunted game, was a customary ritual to honor the elder and create an atmosphere conducive to such a sacred pronouncement. Isaac's request for "venison" underscores the cultural significance of the hunt as a display of skill and provision, reinforcing Esau's identity as a "skillful hunter" ([Genesis 25:27](/genesis/25-27 "Esau, a skillful hunter")). Rebekah's intervention, therefore, is a bold and culturally transgressive act, aiming to subvert an established tradition for what she perceives as a higher, divinely ordained purpose.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 27:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it highlights the persistent theme of **divine election**, demonstrating God's sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau, even as human agents employ flawed and deceptive means to "assist" His plan. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **consequences of favoritism** within families, as Isaac's love for Esau and Rebekah's love for Jacob ([Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Isaac's love for Esau and Rebekah's love for Jacob")) directly contribute to the tension, deceit, and eventual estrangement within the family. Thirdly, the narrative underscores the **weight and power of spoken words**, particularly blessings and curses, which were believed to have tangible effects. Finally, it explores the complex interplay between **human agency and divine sovereignty**, raising questions about the ethics of human action when attempting to fulfill God's declared will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This word (H8085) denotes more than passive hearing; it implies intelligent listening, often with the implication of attention, comprehension, and a readiness to act or obey. In Rebekah's case, it signifies her attentive reception of Isaac's words, immediately processing their significance and formulating a response. Her "hearing" is not incidental but intentional and catalytic.
* **Spake (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This verb (H1696) means to arrange or to speak, often with authority or purpose. When Isaac "spake" to Esau, his words were not casual conversation but a deliberate command, setting in motion the ritual for the patriarchal blessing. The term underscores the weight and intentionality of Isaac's communication, which Rebekah so keenly intercepted.
* **Venison (Hebrew, _tsayid'_):** This noun (H6718), derived from a root meaning "to lie alongside" or "to catch," refers to hunted game or provisions. It specifically denotes wild game, distinguishing it from domesticated animals. Isaac's desire for "venison" highlights his preference for the specific, savory taste of the hunt, a detail crucial to Rebekah's subsequent plan to substitute goat meat for the desired wild game.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Rebekah heard":** This opening clause immediately establishes Rebekah as a central, active figure in the unfolding narrative. Her "hearing" is not accidental but attentive, implying a deliberate act of listening to a private conversation. This act of overhearing becomes the pivotal moment, shifting the narrative's agency from Isaac's intention to Rebekah's intervention.
* **"when Isaac spake to Esau his son":** This phrase clarifies the nature of the conversation Rebekah intercepted. It was a direct, private communication between father and son, concerning a matter of immense significance—the patriarchal blessing. The intimacy and gravity of Isaac's words to his favored son underscore the gravity of Rebekah's eavesdropping and her subsequent decision to interfere.
* **"And Esau went to the field to hunt [for] venison, [and] to bring [it]":** This final clause details Esau's immediate and obedient response to his father's command. His departure to the "field" (Hebrew: _sâdeh'_ - H7704, referring to open country or a hunting ground) to "hunt" (Hebrew: _tsûwd'_ - H6679) for "venison" (Hebrew: _tsayid'_ - H6718) indicates his readiness to fulfill the ritualistic prerequisite for the blessing. This action sets the stage for Rebekah's swift counter-plan, as Esau's absence provides the necessary window for her deception.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several key literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as Rebekah's act of overhearing immediately signals that her intervention will dramatically alter the anticipated outcome of the blessing. This creates **dramatic irony**, as the audience is aware of God's prophecy regarding Jacob's preeminence ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah")) while Isaac remains ignorant, intensifying the tension of the impending deception. The verse also functions as a **catalyst**, the precise moment that triggers the entire elaborate scheme of deceit. Furthermore, the simple, declarative prose creates a sense of **immediacy** and **inevitability**, propelling the narrative forward from Isaac's intention to Rebekah's decisive action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 27:5, though brief, is pregnant with theological significance, serving as a microcosm for the larger themes of divine sovereignty, human agency, and the consequences of sin within the covenant community. While God had already declared His choice of Jacob over Esau, Rebekah's actions demonstrate a human attempt to "help" God fulfill His promises through deceptive and manipulative means, highlighting the tension between divine decree and human responsibility. The narrative underscores the immense spiritual and material significance of the patriarchal blessing in ancient Near Eastern culture, a pronouncement believed to carry divine authority and determine one's future. The subsequent strife and estrangement within the family, stemming from this deception and underlying parental favoritism, powerfully illustrate the destructive power of sin within intimate relationships, even when seemingly motivated by a desire to align with God's will.

* [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's prophecy to Rebekah: The elder shall serve the younger")
* [Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Isaac's love for Esau and Rebekah's love for Jacob")
* [Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah sends Jacob away to Laban")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 27:5 serves as a potent reminder of how quickly family dynamics can become fraught with tension and deception when individuals act on their own perceived righteousness or attempt to manipulate circumstances rather than trusting God's timing and methods. Rebekah's decision to eavesdrop and then orchestrate a deception, even if she believed she was aligning with God's ultimate purpose for Jacob, led to profound and painful consequences for her family, including years of estrangement and the perpetuation of deceit in Jacob's own life. This narrative challenges us to examine our own tendencies to control outcomes, to question whether our "good intentions" ever justify dishonest means, and to cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign ability to fulfill His purposes without our manipulative "help." It calls us to prioritize honest communication, integrity in our relationships, and patient reliance on divine providence, recognizing that while God can work through our imperfections, our sin still carries real and often painful consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like Rebekah, be tempted to "help" God fulfill His purposes through our own manipulative schemes rather than trusting His timing and methods?**
* **How does this story highlight the destructive power of favoritism and lack of open communication within families or communities?**
* **What are the long-term consequences of deception, even when we believe our intentions are good?**
* **How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, allowing Him to work out His plans even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises?**

### 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 profound lack of trust in God's timing and methods. She likely feared that Isaac, who openly favored Esau ([Genesis 25:28](/genesis/25-28 "Isaac's love for Esau")), would bypass God's declared will by bestowing the blessing on his firstborn. 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 and trusting that He is fully capable of bringing about His purposes through righteous means.

**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 highly significant. "Venison" (Hebrew: _tsayid'_) referred to wild game, requiring skill and effort to hunt, distinguishing it from domesticated animals. This specific request was part of a ritualistic act of devotion from Esau to his father, symbolizing Esau's identity as a hunter and provider, and honoring Isaac before the sacred blessing. Rebekah's meticulous 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 importance of the sensory experience to Isaac and the detailed nature of her deception.

**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 indeed fulfilled, the text faithfully records the severe and lasting consequences of Rebekah's actions. These included Jacob's immediate flight from home ([Genesis 27:43](/genesis/27-43 "Rebekah sends Jacob away to Laban")), years of estrangement from his family, and the perpetuation of deceit within Jacob's own life and family. The narrative demonstrates that God can work through imperfect and even sinful human actions to achieve His sovereign purposes, but it never endorses the sin itself, clearly portraying its destructive impact on relationships and individuals.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 27:5 and the subsequent narrative of Jacob's acquisition of the blessing, despite its deceptive means, ultimately serves as a powerful illustration of God's sovereign election and the nature of true spiritual blessing, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. Just as Jacob, the younger, less favored, and seemingly less deserving son, was chosen by divine decree to carry the lineage of the Abrahamic promise over Esau, so too does God's grace often choose the unexpected, the humble, and those not deemed "firstborn" by human standards. This foreshadows the New Covenant reality, where spiritual inheritance is not based on human merit, birthright, or adherence to the law, but solely on God's gracious call and through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ is the true "firstborn" over all creation ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ, the firstborn of all creation")), the ultimate heir of all things ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "God has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things")), and through Him, all who believe—regardless of their former status or earthly lineage—become co-heirs of an eternal spiritual blessing far greater than any earthly inheritance ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ and fellow heirs of God")). The flawed pursuit of the blessing in Genesis 27 thus anticipates the perfect and righteous blessing found in Christ, who fulfills all the promises of God and bestows true spiritual life and an eternal 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.