Genesis 27:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 27:1-5

Here is, I. Isaac's design to make his will, and to declare Esau his heir. The promise of the Messiah and the land of Canaan was a great trust, first committed to Abraham, inclusive and typical of spiritual and eternal blessings; this, by divine direction, he transmitted to Isaac. Isaac, being now old, and not knowing, or not understanding, or not duly considering, the divine oracle concerning his two sons, that the elder should serve the younger, resolves to entail all the honour and power... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:1

And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old ,.... He is generally thought to be about one hundred and thirty seven years of age at this time, which was just the age of his brother Ishmael when he died, Genesis 25:16 ; and might put him in mind of his own death as near at hand; though if he was no older, he lived after this forty three years, for he lived to be one hundred and eighty years old, Genesis 35:28 , and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see ; which circumstance is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:2

And he said, behold, now I am old ,.... See Gill on Genesis 27:1 , I know not the day of my death ; how soon it will be; everyone knows he must die, but the day and hour he knows not, neither young nor old; and though young men may promise themselves many days and years, an old man cannot, but must or should live in the constant expectation of death. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:3

Now therefore, take, I pray thee, thy weapons ,.... Or "thy vessels", or "instruments" F14 כליך "instrumenta tua", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "vasa tua", Vatablus. , his instruments of hunting: as thy quiver and thy bow ; the former is the vessel or instrument, in which arrows were put and carried, and has its name in the Hebrew language from its being hung at the girdle, though another word is more commonly used for a quiver; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:4

And make me savoury meat, such as I love ,.... For, though he had lost his sight, he had not lost his taste, nor his appetite for savoury food: and bring it to me, that I may eat ; this, was enjoined to make trial of his filial affection and duty to him, before he blessed him: that my soul may bless thee before I die ; not only that he might do it with cheerfulness and vivacity, having eaten a comfortable meal, and being refreshed with it, but that having had proof of his son's... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:1

Isaac was old - It is conjectured, on good grounds, that Isaac was now about one hundred and seventeen years of age, and Jacob about fifty-seven; though the commonly received opinion makes Isaac one hundred and thirty-seven, and Jacob seventy-seven; but see note on Genesis 31:55 , etc. And his eyes were dim - This was probably the effect of that affliction, of what kind we know not, under which Isaac now labored; and from which, as well as from the affliction, he probably recovered, as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:2

I know not the day of my death - From his present weakness he had reason to suppose that his death could not be at any great distance, and therefore would leave no act undone which he believed it his duty to perform. He who lives not in reference to eternity, lives not at all. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:3

Thy weapons - The original word כלי keley signifies vessels and instruments of any kind; and is probably used here for a hunting spear, javelin, sword, etc. Quiver - תלי teli , from תלה talah , to hang or suspend. Had not the Septuagint translated the word φαρετραν , and the Vulgate pharetram , a quiver, I should rather have supposed some kind of shield was meant; but either can be suspended on the arm or from the shoulder. Some think a sword is meant; and because the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:4

Savory meat - מטעמים matammim , from טעם taam , to taste or relish; how dressed we know not, but its name declares its nature. That I may eat - The blessing which Isaac was to confer on his son was a species of Divine right, and must be communicated with appropriate ceremonies. As eating and drinking were used among the Asiatics on almost all religious occasions, and especially in making and confirming covenants, it is reasonable to suppose that something of this kind was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:1

Verse 1 1.And it came to pass that when Isaac was old. In this chapter Moses prosecutes, in many words, a history which does not appear to be of great utility. It amounts to this; Esau having gone out, at his father’s command, to hunt; Jacob, in his brother’s clothing, was, by the artifice of his mother, induced to obtain by stealth the blessing due by the right of nature to the firstborn. It seems even like child’s play to present to his father a kid instead of venison, to feign himself to be... read more

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