Genesis 27:12 kjv
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
Genesis 27:12 nkjv
Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing."
Genesis 27:12 niv
What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing."
Genesis 27:12 esv
Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing."
Genesis 27:12 nlt
What if my father touches me? He'll see that I'm trying to trick him, and then he'll curse me instead of blessing me."
Genesis 27 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 25:23 | "...Two nations are in your womb...the older shall serve the younger." | Prophecy establishing God's chosen path. |
| Gen 27:35-36 | Isaac: "Your brother came with deception..." Esau: "...he has cheated me." | Fulfillment of Jacob being a "deceiver." |
| Deut 11:26-28 | "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse..." | Direct link between obedience/disobedience. |
| Deut 28:15 | "...if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God, all these curses shall come upon you." | Warnings of consequences for disobedience. |
| Num 32:23 | "...be sure your sin will find you out." | Consequences of hidden sin. |
| Prov 12:20 | "Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy." | Wisdom on deceit leading to negative outcome. |
| Prov 19:5 | "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape." | Consequences for falsehood. |
| Gal 3:10 | "For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse..." | Contrast of relying on human effort vs. grace. |
| Gal 6:7 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Principle of sowing and reaping, justice. |
| Rom 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." | Broader consequences of sin. |
| Jer 17:9 | "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" | Human heart's tendency toward deceit. |
| Ps 7:15-16 | "He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns..." | Consequences recoil on the doer. |
| Matt 7:1-2 | "...with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." | Reciprocal judgment. |
| Gen 3:17-19 | The curse on the ground for Adam's sin. | Original example of curse from disobedience. |
| Zech 5:3 | "...Every thief on the one hand shall be purged away, and every perjurer on the other hand shall be purged away." | Curses for breaking divine law. |
| John 8:44 | "...He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him..." | Origin of lies linked to the evil one. |
| Hos 12:3-4 | "In the womb he gripped his brother's heel...he wrestled with the angel..." | Jacob's characteristic struggle/supplanting. |
| Heb 12:16-17 | "Look that no one is sexually immoral...Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal." | Contrast with Esau's loss of blessing. |
| Gen 50:20 | "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." | God's sovereignty over human sin. |
| Rom 8:28 | "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." | God works through all circumstances. |
| Ps 32:3-5 | David's inner turmoil from unconfessed sin. | Consequences of unconfessed sin. |
| Jas 1:13-15 | "But each person is tempted when he is lured...then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." | The progression and consequences of sin. |
Genesis 27 verses
Genesis 27 12 Meaning
Genesis 27:12 captures Jacob's fearful apprehension regarding the outcome of his mother Rebekah's plan to deceive Isaac. His concern is not primarily a moral objection to the act of deception itself, but rather the very tangible risk of being discovered and incurring a curse instead of the highly desired patriarchal blessing. It reveals Jacob's focus on the consequences and personal gain or loss rather than on integrity or faith in God's distinct method for fulfilling His prophecy.Genesis 27 12 Context
Genesis chapter 27 describes the pivotal event of Jacob usurping Esau's blessing from their blind, aging father, Isaac. The chapter begins with Isaac, aware of his impending death, intending to bestow the significant patriarchal blessing upon his favored elder son, Esau. This plan disregards the earlier prophecy given to Rebekah (Gen 25:23) that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob). Rebekah, overhearing Isaac's instructions to Esau, swiftly devises a scheme for Jacob to impersonate Esau and receive the blessing instead. Verse 12 reveals Jacob's immediate reaction to this scheme, expressing not a moral dilemma, but a practical concern: the risk of discovery leading to a curse, rather than the intended blessing. This sets the stage for the dramatic deception that follows, revealing the complex family dynamics, parental favoritism, and the consequences of attempting to fulfill divine prophecy through human manipulation. Historically and culturally, the patriarchal blessing held immense spiritual and societal weight, believed to determine one's destiny and standing before God and community.Genesis 27 12 Word analysis
- Perhaps (Heb. אולי, ʾūlay): This adverb signifies uncertainty, doubt, or possibility. It indicates that Jacob is not certain of being caught, but acknowledges it as a real risk. It reveals a calculation of probability rather than a definitive moral conviction.
- my father (Heb. אבי, ʾāvî): Highlights the relationship with the one bestowing the blessing and curse. It emphasizes the authority figure whom Jacob plans to deceive.
- will feel me (Heb. ימשׁני, yǝmaššēnî): From the root משׁשׁ (māšaš), meaning "to feel," "to touch," "to grope." Given Isaac's blindness, tactile recognition was his primary means of identifying Esau's hairy body. This word precisely indicates Jacob's concern about Isaac's specific method of physical identification.
- and I shall seem to him a deceiver (Heb. והייתי בעיניו כמתעה, wǝhāyîtî bəʿênāw kəmaṭṭeʿâ):
- seem to him (lit. "be in his eyes," bəʿênāw): Although Isaac is blind, the idiom "in his eyes" refers to his perception, how he would recognize and regard Jacob. Jacob fears Isaac's mental and spiritual discernment, not just physical touch.
- deceiver (Heb. מתעה, maṭṭeʿâ): A participle from the root תעה (ṭāʿâ), "to stray," "to wander." In the causative form here, it means "one who causes to stray," "misleads," or "deceives." The irony is palpable: Jacob, whose name (יעקב, yaʿaqōv) can be understood as "supplanter" or "one who cheats/overthrows" (from grabbing Esau's heel), fears being identified by the very act he is committing. This foreshadows a life characterized by both deceiving others and being deceived himself.
- and I shall bring upon myself a curse (Heb. והבאתי עלי קללה, wǝhēḇēʾṯî ʿālay qəlālāh):
- bring upon myself (Heb. והבאתי עלי, wǝhēḇēʾṯî ʿālay): Implies an active, self-inflicted consequence. Jacob recognizes his agency in choosing this path and accepts the potential self-curse that accompanies failure.
- curse (Heb. קללה, qəlālāh): The antonym of "blessing" (ברכה, bərāḵâ). In the ancient world, a curse was not just a harsh word but a potent spiritual force believed to bring misfortune, loss of favor, and divine disfavor. It implies being cut off from prosperity and God's protective hand.
- and not a blessing (Heb. ולא ברכה, wǝlōʾ bərāḵâ): Clearly states the feared outcome – the total antithesis of his desired aim. Jacob's primary concern is about gaining the coveted blessing.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to him a deceiver": This phrase highlights Jacob's calculating concern with detection. His worry is not the inherent sinfulness of deceiving his father or taking what is not rightfully his (legally or ethically), but rather the practical danger of being found out. His mind is on the method of deception (the touch test) and its potential failure, not on the moral implications. This pragmatism colors his initial reluctance.
- "and I shall bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing": This grouping articulates Jacob's feared consequence, framed purely in terms of outcome. The risk is a personal loss of a sacred benefit (blessing) and the incurring of an equally potent negative outcome (curse). This perspective underlines Jacob's transactional understanding of the situation – it is about what he will receive or lose, rather than faith in God's stated plan or adherence to truthfulness. His fear is of receiving spiritual repercussions for failed human effort.