And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim. He was in his 137th year; and apprehending death to be near, he prepared to make his last will-an act of the gravest importance, especially as it included the conveyance, through a prophetic spirit, of the patriarchal blessing. It may be thought that a lamb or a kid from his own flocks could have served that purpose as well, besides being sooner obtained. But Eastern nomads are proverbially abstemious in the use of flesh, subsisting chiefly on bread, milk, butter, and dates; and they seldom or never provide any animal food for their own or their family consumpt. But they are particularly fond of dishes made from the flesh of animals taken in hunting. And all their animal food, of whatever kind, is besmeared with melted butter and highly spiced, or acidulated with pomegranate or lemon juice, onions and garlic being frequently added to complete the seasoning (Shaw's 'Travels;' Russell's 'Aleppo').
Isaac, as a feeble, chronic invalid, had a fastidious taste; and, besides a longing desire he felt for the fresh flavour of game, he asked perhaps, for a new proof of his oldest son's affection in his eager haste to fetch what would gratify his father's appetite. In addition to all these reasons, he might wish for venison, the rather as 'eating and drinking' being used on all solemn religious occasions, he could not convey the right of patriarchal inheritance until he had eaten of the meat provided for the purpose by him who was to receive the blessing (Adam Clarke).