Genesis 27:21

Translations

Modern

Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?”

Traditional

And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

Literal

And Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near, please, and I will feel you, my son—are you he, my son Esau, or not?”

Latin

Dixitque Isaac: Accede huc, ut tangam te, fili mi, et probem utrum tu sis filius meus Esau, an non.

Original

Hebrew

English

Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?”

Notes

Genesis 27:20–27

Isaac expressed his doubts three times. But his senses, which were not working well, eventually misled him (see study note on 27:1–4).

Genesis 27:18–29

In scene three, Jacob tricks his father and receives the blessing.

Genesis 27:1–40

Jacob got his father Isaac’s blessing through deception. In this story, an entire family tries to carry out their responsibilities by physical means rather than by faith. Faith would have provided Rebekah and Jacob a more honorable solution to the crisis.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Isaac Jacob Leah Rebekah Blessing Symbolic Numbers The Priestly Blessing

Related verses

Isaiah 57:19
…bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Psalm 73:28
But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works.
Genesis 27:12
What if my father touches me? Then I would be revealed to him as a deceiver, and I would bring upon myself a curse rather than a blessing.”

Parallels

Hebrews 11:20

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Isaac: Son of Abraham; father of Jacob and Esau Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Ebla Tablets Esau Firstborn Genealogy Genesis, Book of Idumea, Idumeans Isaac Jacob’s Ladder Leah Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Primogeniture Rebecca, Rebekah

Topics

Covetousness in Defrauding Esau of His, Father's Blessing Craftiness: Obtaining Isaac's Blessing Deception: Jacob and Rebekah, in Imposing Jacob on his Father, and Jacob's Impersonating Esau Dishonesty: Jacob Steals his Father's Blessing Falsehood: Rebekah and Isaac, in the Conspiracy Against Esau Family: Infelicity In of Isaac, on Account of the Disagreement Between Jacob and Esau Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: His Old Age, Last Blessing Upon his Sons Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Parents: Paternal Blessings of Isaac Rebekah (Rebecca): Prompts Jacob to Deceive Isaac

Genesis 27:21

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