Isaac's Blindness to Jacob's Disguise as Esau
Isaac's blindness to Jacob's disguise as Esau is a pivotal moment in the Genesis narrative, leading to Jacob receiving the patriarchal blessing intended for his older brother [7, 8]. The biblical text states, "When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son" [2]. This physical impairment set the stage for Rebekah and Jacob's deception [6, 8].
Rebekah, Isaac's wife, orchestrated the plan. She instructed Jacob to bring her two young goats, from which she prepared savory meat, a dish Isaac enjoyed [8]. To mimic Esau's hairy appearance, Rebekah covered Jacob's hands and the smooth part of his neck with the skins of the young goats [5, 9]. Jacob also wore Esau's best clothes [8]. When Jacob presented himself to his father, Isaac was suspicious due to Jacob's voice, asking, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau" [9]. Despite his doubts, Isaac felt Jacob's hairy hands and concluded it was indeed Esau [9]. Josephus notes that Isaac perceived the voice to be Jacob's but, suspecting no deceit, ate the supper [5].
Some interpretations suggest that Isaac's blindness was not merely physical but also spiritual. The Tyndale House commentary on Genesis 27:1-4 states that Isaac was "losing his senses, both physically and spiritually," as he knew of God's oracle (Genesis 25:22-23) yet still attempted to bless Esau [7]. This oracle had indicated that the older would serve the younger [7]. The Jewish tradition, as noted by Abraham Ibn Ezra, connects Isaac's dimming eyes to a curse on Sarah for deceiving Abimelech, suggesting a deeper, providential reason for his blindness [10].
Esau, whose name means "hairy" [1], was Isaac's favorite son, known for his robust frame and skill as a hunter [1, 4]. Jacob, whose name is associated with "heel-grabber" [3], was Rebekah's favorite [6]. The deception allowed Jacob to secure the blessing, which was considered irrevocable once given [11, 12]. When Esau returned and the deception was revealed, Isaac realized that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord" and could not be undone [12].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Esau — (hairy), the eldest son of Isaac, and twin-brother of Jacob. The singular appearance of the child at his birth originated the name. (Genesis 25:25) Esau's robust frame and "rough" aspect were the types of a wild and daring nature. He was a thorough Bedouin, a "son of the desert." He was much loved by his father, and was of course his heir, but was induced to sell his birthright to Jacob. Mention of his unhappy marriages may be found in (Genesis 26:34) The next episode in the life of Esau is the loss of his father's covenant blessing, which Jacob secured through”
- Genesis “When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?” He said to him, “Here I am.” -- Genesis 27:1”
- Genesis “Genesis 25:26 (Rotherham) — And, after that, came forth his brother with his hand fast hold of the heel of Esau, so they called his name Jacob—Now, Isaac, was sixty years old when she bare them,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Esau — Hairy, Rebekah's first-born twin son (Gen. 25:25). The name of Edom, "red", was also given to him from his conduct in connection with the red lentil "pottage" for which he sold his birthright (30, 31). The circumstances connected with his birth foreshadowed the enmity which afterwards subsisted between the twin brothers and the nations they founded (25:22, 23, 26). In process of time Jacob, following his natural bent, became a shepherd; while Esau, a "son of the desert," devoted himself to the perilous and toilsome life of a huntsman. On a certain occasion, on”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 18, section 3: got ready, he took a goat's skin, and put it about his arm, that by reason of its hairy roughness, he might by his father be believed to be Esau; for they being twins, and in all things else alike, differed only in this thing. This was done out of his fear, that before his father had made his supplications, he should be caught in his evil practice, and lest he should, on the contrary, provoke his father to curse him. So he brought in the supper to his father. Isaac perceivest to be Esau. So suspecting no deceit, he ate the suppe”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Rebekah — (ensnarer), daughter of Bethuel, (Genesis 22:23) and sister of Laban, married to Isaac. She is first presented to us in (Genesis 24:1) ... where the beautiful story of her marriage is related. (B.C. 1857.) For nineteen years she was childless: then Esau and Jacob were born, the younger being the mother's companion and favorite. (Genesis 25:19-28) Rebekah suggested the deceit that was practiced by Jacob on his blind father. She directed and aided him in carrying it out, foresaw the probable consequence of Esau's anger, and prevented it by moving Isaac to send”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 27:1: 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. 27:1-4 The first scene sets up the chapter’s crisis. Isaac knew of God’s oracle (25:22-23), yet he thwarted or ignored it by trying to bless Esau. • Isaac was old and turning blind: He was losing his senses, both physically and spiritually.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 27 (introduction): Isaac, grown old and feeble, and apprehending the approach of death, desires his son Esau to provide some savory meat for him, that having eaten of it he might convey to him the blessing connected with the right of primogeniture, Gen 27:1-4. Rebekah hearing of it, relates the matter to Jacob, and directs him how to personate his brother, and by deceiving his father, obtain the blessing, Gen 27:5-10. Jacob hesitates, Gen 27:11, Gen 27:12; but being counseled and encouraged by his mother, he at last consents to use the means she prescribes, Gen 27:13, Ge”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 27:21: And Isaac said unto Jacob, come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son,.... Still suspecting some fraud in the case; and whereas he knew that Esau was a hairy man, and Jacob smooth, he thought by feeling he could discover the imposture, if there was any: whether thou be my very son Esau, or not; which he still pretty much questioned.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 20:16: BEHOLD, IT IS FOR THEE A COVERING OF THE EYES. Some say that this alludes to the dimming of her son’s (Isaac’s) eyes. 25 Gen. 27:1. However, the latter is a Midrashic interpretation. 26 According to the Talmud ( Megillah 15a; Baba Kama 93a), Abimelech cursed Sarah for deceiving him. The Talmud states, “Abimelech cursed Sarah and said, may your eyes be covered…The curse took effect on her seed as it is written, And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim .” I believe that the phrase kesut enayim (a covering of the eyes) is to be read as”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 27:37: 27:37 There was no going back. Isaac had declared an oracle from God, who had made Jacob to be Esau’s master (see Rom 9:11-13).”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 27:30: Esau came in from his hunting--Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irrevocable. The importunities of Esau, however, overpowered him; and as the prophetic afflatus was upon the patriarch, he added what was probably as pleasing to a man of ”