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Matthew Henry

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:23

And he discerned him not ,.... As he could not see, he could make no judgment by that sense; and, though he had his hearing, and thought the voice was like Jacob's, he might imagine there might be an alteration in Esau's voice, coming in haste and weary from the fields; yet, as there could not be any deception in his feeling, he thought it safest to trust to that, as it follows: because his hands were hairy as his brother Esau's hands ; which could not in a short time become so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:24

And said, art thou my very son Esau ?.... Still having some doubt on his mind whether he really was so or not, because of his voice: and he said, I am ; as for the observation of Jarchi upon this, in order to excuse Jacob from lying, that he does not say, "I am Esau", only "I", it will not do, since it is an answer to Isaac's question, with a design to deceive him; and he intended by it that he should understand him as he did, that he was really Esau. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:25

And he said, bring it near to me ,.... Being in a good measure satisfied that it must be Esau that was with him, he agreed that he should set his savoury meat before him he had prepared and brought to him: and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee ; this showed that as yet he had not blessed him, at least that the main and principal blessing was yet to come: and he brought it near to him, and he did eat ; set it on a table before him, and guided his hands to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:26

And his father Isaac said unto him ,.... After he had eat and drank, and the repast was over, and all were took away: come near now, and kiss me, my son ; which was desired either out of affection to him, excited by this instance of preparing such savoury and agreeable food; or else having some suspicion still, and willing to have more satisfaction before he proceeded further to bless, from the smell of his breath, and of his garments, read more

John Gill

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

And he came near, and kissed him ,.... Jacob came near and kissed Isaac his father: and he smelled the smell of his raiment ; which being not like the smell of a sheep coat, but of a field, might give him more full satisfaction that it was truly Esau: and he blessed him ; with his patriarchal and prophetic blessing, which here begins: and said, see, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed ; like a field fall of fragrant herbs, flowers, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:28

Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven ,.... Or "shall" or "will give thee" F24 ויתן לך "dabit ergo tibi", Schmidt; so Ainsworth. , seeing he was blessed of God, and the blessed seed should spring from him, as well as his posterity should inherit the land of Canaan; for this is said rather by way of prophecy than wish, and so all that follow; and the dew of heaven is the rather mentioned, not only because that makes the earth fruitful on which it plentifully falls, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 27:29

Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee ,.... Which was literally true in the times of Joshua and the judges, when the Canaanites were conquered and subdued, and those that remained became tributary to the Israelites; and still more so in the times of David, a son of Jacob, in the line of Judah, when the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Ammonites, and Edomites, became subject to him, his servants and tributaries; and yet more so in the times of the Messiah that was to spring from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 27:23

And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy - From this circumstance we may learn that Isaac's sense of feeling was much impaired by his present malady. When he could not discern the skin of a kid from the flesh of his son, we see that he was, through his infirmity, in a fit state to be imposed on by the deceit of his wife, and the cunning of his younger son. read more

Adam Clarke

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

The smell of my son is as the smell of a field - The smell of these garments, the goodly raiment which had been laid up in the house, was probably occasioned by some aromatic herbs, which we may naturally suppose were laid up with the clothes; a custom which prevails in many countries to the present day. Thyme, lavender, etc., are often deposited in wardrobes, to communicate an agreeable scent, and under the supposition that the moths are thereby prevented from fretting the garments. I have... read more

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