Genesis 27:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 27:6-17

Rebekah is here contriving to procure for Jacob the blessing which was designed for Esau; and here, I. The end was good, for she was directed in this intention by the oracle of God, by which she had been governed in dispensing her affections. God had said it should be so, that the elder should serve the younger; and therefore Rebekah resolves it shall be so, and cannot bear to see her husband designing to thwart the oracle of God. But, II. The means were bad, and no way justifiable. If it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:16

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands ,.... Upon both his hands, and the whole of them that was bare, that he might appear to be like Esau: and upon the smooth of his neck ; which in Esau was covered with hair as his hands; and Hiscuni, a Jewish writer F19 Apud Drusium in loc. , observes, that the skins of goats are rough, and like the skin of a hairy man; and so Bochart F20 Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. 51. col. 626. remarks, that goats' hair in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 27:15-29

The stolen blessing: a domestic drama.-2. Isaac and Jacob, or the successful stratagem. I. JACOB 'S DECEPTION OF ISAAC . Jacob's impersonation of Esau was— 1. Deftly prepared . The ingenious Rebekah, having dressed him in the fragrant festal robes of the princely hunter, covered his smooth skin with the soft, silky hide of the camel-goat, and put into his hand the simulated dainty dish which she had cooked. It is a melancholy thing when either woman's wit or man's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 27:16

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats —not European, but Oriental camel-goats, whose wool is black, silky, of a much finer texture than that of the former, and sometimes used as a substitute for human hair (cf. So Genesis 4:1 ); vide on this subject Rosenmüller's 'Scholia,' and commentaries generally— upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck— thus cautiously providing against detection, in case, anything occurring to arouse the old man's suspicions, he should seek, as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 27:1-46

- Isaac Blessing His SonsThe life of Isaac falls into three periods. During the first seventy-five years he is contemporary with his father. For sixty-one years more his son Jacob remains under the paternal roof. The remaining forty-four years are passed in the retirement of old age. The chapter before us narrates the last solemn acts of the middle period of his life.Genesis 27:1-4Isaac was old. - Joseph was in his thirtieth year when he stood before Pharaoh, and therefore thirty-nine when... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 27:16

Genesis 27:16. The skins of the kids of goats It is observed by Bochart, that, in the eastern countries, goats’ hair is very like the human. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:1-46

Jacob receives Isaac’s blessing (26:34-28:9)The custom in ancient times was for the father of the household to confirm the birthright on his firstborn son by giving his special blessing just before he died. People considered this blessing to be more than just a promise; they saw it as a prophecy that carried God’s favour. Isaac knew that God’s will was for Jacob, not Esau, to receive the firstborn’s blessing (see 25:23). Yet he was determined to give the blessing to Esau, even though Esau, by... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 27:5-17

"And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids from the goats; and I will... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 27:5-17

It seems consistent with the character of Rebekah as presented elsewhere in Genesis to interpret her actions here as predictable, if not commendable. A sincere desire to make sure that Isaac’s blessing went to the divinely chosen, more responsible of her sons apparently motivated her. While her motive seems to have been good, her method evidenced lack of faith in God. [Note: See Sharp, pp. 164-68.] She tried to "pull the wool" over Isaac’s eyes."Jacob is clearly less concerned with the... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:1-46

Jacob by Subtilty obtains the BlessingUrged on by his mother, Jacob attempts by unworthy means to secure the blessing of the firstborn with all the privileges it involved. But the wrongdoing of the actors in the story was soon followed by the suffering which assuredly waits on sin. To quote Delitzsch: ’(a) Isaac suffers for his preference for Esau, which was not determined by the will of God but by his weak affection: (b) Esau suffers for despising the blessing of the firstborn: (c) Rebekah... read more

Group of Brands