Genesis 27:1 kjv

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.

Genesis 27:1 nkjv

Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." And he answered him, "Here I am."

Genesis 27:1 niv

When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." "Here I am," he answered.

Genesis 27:1 esv

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son"; and he answered, "Here I am."

Genesis 27:1 nlt

One day when Isaac was old and turning blind, he called for Esau, his older son, and said, "My son." "Yes, Father?" Esau replied.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 1 Meaning

Genesis 27:1 describes Isaac, now very old and almost completely blind, summoning his elder son, Esau, to impart a patriarchal blessing before his death. This verse sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, where human actions, intentions, and physical limitations converge with God's predetermined divine plan concerning the lineage and blessing. It highlights the profound importance of the patriarchal blessing in ancient culture and foreshadows the impending deception and subsequent conflict within the family.

Genesis 27 1 Context

Genesis 27:1 is the immediate precursor to the deception of Isaac by Jacob and Rebekah. Isaac, at an advanced age, attempts to enact the patriarchal custom of conferring a final, binding blessing on his preferred firstborn son, Esau. This comes despite an earlier divine oracle (Gen 25:23) to Rebekah stating that "the older shall serve the younger," indicating God's chosen lineage would pass through Jacob, not Esau. Isaac's intention here reveals his personal favoritism for Esau, who was a skilled hunter, a preference that seemingly overrides or ignores the divine revelation. The verse thus highlights the tension between human will, tradition, and divine purpose, setting in motion a series of events crucial for the formation of the nation of Israel and its heritage.

Genesis 27 1 Word analysis

• Now it came to pass (וַיְהִי, vayhi): This Hebrew conjunction often initiates a significant new phase or a turning point in a narrative. It signifies a transition, drawing the reader's attention to an important development. It indicates the narrative progression into a decisive event for the family.

• when Isaac (יִצְחָק, Yitschak): "He laughs." The second patriarch of Israel, son of Abraham, and inheritor of the covenant promises. His actions, though flawed, carry immense significance for the continuation of the divine plan.

• was old (זָקֵן, zaqen): "Advanced in age," "aged." This signifies physical decline and approaching death. In ancient cultures, old age was often associated with wisdom, but also with physical vulnerability, which is crucial here.

• and his eyes were dim (וַתִּכְהֶיןָ עֵינָיו, vatikhehina einav): "His eyes grew dull" or "became clouded/faint." This describes a physical impairment, likely severe cataracts or a general loss of visual acuity due to age. This detail is not merely incidental but a key plot device; Isaac's physical blindness becomes symbolic of his spiritual blindness to God's chosen plan for Jacob (Gen 25:23) and his own preference for Esau.

• so that he could not see (מֵרְאֹת, mero't): "From seeing." Emphasizes the complete nature of his blindness. It's not just impaired vision, but a lack of discernible sight, directly facilitating the deception. This total inability to see physically makes the visual trickery by Jacob and Rebekah possible.

• that he called Esau (וַיִּקְרָא אֶת־עֵשָׂו, vayyikra et-Esav): "He called out Esau." A deliberate and formal summoning. Esau ("hairy" or "finished/made") was Isaac’s firstborn and favored son due to his hunting prowess. This action reveals Isaac's intention to bypass divine prophecy in favor of tradition.

• his older son (בְּנוֹ הַגָּדֹל, b'no hagadol): "His great son," "his elder son." Explicitly states Esau's status as the firstborn. This fact underscores Isaac's intention to follow primogeniture, the cultural custom where the elder son received the primary inheritance and blessing. It sets up the central conflict with the prior divine declaration concerning Jacob's preeminence.

• and said to him, 'My son.' (וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו בְּנִי, vayyomer elav b'ni): An affectionate and personal address. This sets a tone of intimacy for a momentous and private conversation where a crucial, final blessing would be delivered. It highlights the familial setting despite the monumental implications.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see": This phrase powerfully sets the scene, focusing on Isaac's vulnerable physical state. His advanced age and blindness are central, acting as the primary catalysts for the upcoming events of deception. It also subtly implies a parallel spiritual dullness regarding discerning God's will.
  • "that he called Esau his older son": This phrase underlines Isaac's intention to bless Esau as the firstborn, aligning with tradition but potentially opposing the divine oracle that indicated Jacob's destined superiority. It highlights Isaac's preference and initiates the narrative tension.

Genesis 27 1 Bonus section

• The irony in this verse is profound: Isaac's physical inability to see becomes the means by which the unseen, spiritual purpose of God (the blessing passing to Jacob) is ultimately realized, though through an ethically dubious human action.
• The emphasis on "older son" in this verse, despite God's clear preference for Jacob before their birth, sets up a deliberate conflict between cultural tradition and divine election, a recurring theme throughout biblical history.
• This verse not only initiates the drama of Jacob and Esau but also foreshadows broader biblical themes: the subversion of primogeniture (e.g., Manasseh over Ephraim, David over his older brothers), and God's sovereign choice often bypassing human expectations and societal norms.
• The patriarchal blessing was seen as a divine utterance with binding, almost magical, efficacy—a final transfer of spiritual authority and future prosperity. This makes Isaac’s action in seeking to give it to Esau intensely significant.

Genesis 27 1 Commentary

Genesis 27:1 functions as the critical opening act for a family drama steeped in human ambition, divine sovereignty, and flawed character. Isaac's physical decline, particularly his severe blindness, is not merely a descriptive detail; it's the very hinge upon which the deception in this chapter turns. His visual impairment allows for the masquerade of Jacob as Esau. More than physical, this blindness also seems to represent a spiritual lack of discernment; Isaac, aware of the Lord's earlier word concerning his sons, nevertheless insists on operating according to his own preference and the customs of primogeniture. This tension between human desire and divine decree is paramount. The patriarch, a figure meant to uphold God's covenant, attempts to subvert His known will, revealing the fallibility even of those chosen by God. Yet, in the midst of this human failing and sin, God's sovereign plan will paradoxically be brought to fruition through the very deception that Isaac's blindness enables. This verse powerfully illustrates that God's purposes will stand, often despite—or even through—the imperfect actions of His people, ultimately magnifying His own power and wisdom.