And he came unto his father ,.... Into the tent and apartment where he was: and said, my father ; to try whether he was awake, and to let him know that he was come, since he could not see him: and he said, here am I ; what hast thou to say to me? who art thou, my son ? for, from the voice and the quick dispatch made, he suspected it was not his son Esau. read more
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
And he came unto his father ,—by this time a bed-ridden invalid ( vide Genesis 27:19 )— and said, My father . If he attempted to imitate the voice of Esau, he was manifestly unsuccessful; the dull ear of the aged patient was yet acute enough to detect a strangeness in the speaker's tone. And he said, Here am I who art thou, my son ? "He thought be recognized the voice of Jacob; his suspicions were aroused; he knew the crafty disposition of his younger son too well; and he felt the... read more
- 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
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
"And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me; arise, I pray thee and sit, and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because Jehovah thy God sent me good speed. And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son,... read more
18-27. he came unto his father—The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was roused into a state of high satisfaction and delight. read more
The response to Isaac’s blessing in Genesis 27:23 is proleptic; it refers to the blessing in Genesis 27:27-29, not another blessing that preceded that one.Jacob’s kiss recalls another deceptive show of affection, namely, Judas’ kiss of Jesus (Matthew 26:48-49).Isaac uttered his blessing (Genesis 27:27-29) in poetic language and God’s Spirit doubtless inspired it since it proved to be prophetic (cf. Genesis 49:1-27; Deuteronomy 33; et al.). It was an oracle.The writer mentioned two of the... read more
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
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 27:18-29
Observe here, I. The art and assurance with which Jacob managed this intrigue. Who would have thought that this plain man could have played his part so well in a design of this nature? His mother having put him in the way of it, and encouraged him in it, he dexterously applied himself to those methods which he had never accustomed himself to, but had always conceived an abhorrence of. Note, Lying is soon learnt. The psalmist speaks of those who, as soon as they are born, speak lies, Ps. 58:3;... read more