Genesis 27:27

27. Kissed him With something of the nature of a Judas kiss . “But it is altogether a mistake to suppose, with Tuch, that Isaac demanded a kiss, in order thereby to distinguish the shepherd, who would smell of the flock, from the huntsman, who would smell of the field . After Isaac had partaken of the meal he has given up all distrust . The kiss is only the expression of paternal love, excited by having partaken of the savoury dish; it is the acme of his now overflowing emotions and the transition to the blessing.” Kurtz.

The smell of his raiment “Many parts of Arabia and Palestine exhale a most delicious odour. Herod., 3:113. After a refreshing rain especially, the air is perfumed with a fragrance inexpressibly sweet, (Plin., 17:5;) and the soil, furrowed by the ploughshare, emits often the balmy treasures hidden in its depths. Thus the garments of Esau, the man of the field, who roamed through hill and valley, were redolent of the scent of aromatic herbs; they called up in Isaac’s mind the pictures of freshness, health, and abundance; his spirit, moved and struck, assumed a prophetic elevation; and he began the blessing.” Kalisch. We render Isaac’s words as follows:

See, the odour of my son,

Like the odour of a field

Which Jehovah has blessed .

And the God shall give to thee

Of the dew of the heavens,

And of the fatness of the land,

And abundance of grain and sweet wine .

Nations shall serve thee,

And peoples bow down to thee .

Be lord to thy brethren,

And the sons of thy mother shall bow down to thee .

They that curse thee shall be cursed;

And they that bless thee shall be blessed .