Genesis 27:18-27 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

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And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

He came unto his father. The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bed-chamber: 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.

Verse 27. The smell ... is as ... of a field. The aromatic odours of the Syrian fields and meadows often impart a strong fragrance to the person and clothes, as has been noticed by many travelers. This may have been the reason for besmearing the "goodly raiment" with fragrant perfumes. It is not improbable, that in such a skillfully-contrived scheme, where not the smallest circumstance seems to have been omitted or forgotten that could render the counterfeit complete, means were used for scenting the clothes with which Jacob was invested, to be the more like those of Esau-newly returned from the field.

"See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed: Therefore, God give thee of the dew of heaven, And the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine:

Let people serve thee, And nations bow down to thee: Be lord over thy brethren, And let thy mother's sons bow down to thee:

Cursed be everyone that curseth thee, And blessed be he that blesseth thee."

Related Commentaries of Genesis 27:18

Genesis 27:18-27

18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.c

21 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.

22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: