Genesis 27:15 kjv

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

Genesis 27:15 nkjv

Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

Genesis 27:15 niv

Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.

Genesis 27:15 esv

Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

Genesis 27:15 nlt

Then she took Esau's favorite clothes, which were there in the house, and gave them to her younger son, Jacob.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 15 Meaning

Genesis 27:15 describes a crucial moment in Rebekah's plan to secure the patriarchal blessing for her favored son, Jacob. She takes the special garments of Esau, her older son, which she had in her keeping, and dresses Jacob, her younger son, in them. This act of transferring Esau's clothing to Jacob is central to the deception of Isaac, aiming to replicate the sensory experience and social standing associated with the firstborn, thereby manipulating Isaac into bestowing the birthright blessing upon Jacob. It highlights Rebekah's active and decisive role in shaping the family's future, driven by her maternal bias and belief in a prophecy, though implemented through deceptive means.

Genesis 27 15 Context

Genesis 27 initiates a pivotal episode in the lives of Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau. Isaac, now old and blind, intends to bless his favorite son, Esau, with the ancestral blessing of Abraham, which conferred spiritual and material prosperity and the mantle of family leadership. However, Rebekah, privy to the divine prophecy that "the older will serve the younger" (Gen 25:23) and aware of Esau's irreverence towards his birthright (Gen 25:34), devises a plan to ensure Jacob receives this blessing. This verse (Gen 27:15) occurs after Isaac's request to Esau to hunt for game, and Rebekah's overhearing the conversation. She immediately instructs Jacob to carry out a deception. The historical context underscores the immense cultural significance of the paternal blessing, viewed as an irrevocable bestowal of divine favor and destiny. Within a patriarchal society, securing such a blessing for a desired heir, even by questionable means, was seen as ensuring their future prominence and the continuation of the lineage.

Genesis 27 15 Word analysis

• Then Rebekah (וַתִּקַּח רִבְקָה, vatikkaḥ Rivqah): Rebekah acts decisively, taking initiative. Her name, Rivqah, means "ensnarer" or "one who ties/binds," which is ironically fitting for her role in binding the blessing to Jacob through cunning. Her actions stem from a mix of favoritism and perhaps a distorted sense of fulfilling God's prophecy by human means, instead of trusting in divine providence.
• took (וַתִּקַּח, vatikkaḥ): The verb signifies taking hold or acquiring. It suggests intent and possession. She wasn't just given them; she specifically "took" them, indicating active involvement.
• the best garments (אֶת־בִּגְדֵי עֵשָׂו בְּנָהּ הַגָּדֹל הַחֲמֻדֹת, ʾet-bigdê ‘ēśāw bᵊnāh haggādōl haḥamudot):
  • garments (בִּגְדֵי, bigdê): Standard Hebrew word for clothes or apparel.
  • best / choice / finest (הַחֲמֻדֹת, haḥamudot): This adjective means "desirable," "precious," "splendid," or "choice." It's not just "nicest" but implies garments held in high esteem, possibly due to their quality, a distinct scent, their age, or perhaps a symbolic significance, such as those reserved for special occasions or the one who holds the firstborn's privilege. They are an insignia of Esau's status and Isaac's familiarity with him. They may have retained Esau's characteristic outdoor scent, crucial for Isaac's identification (Gen 27:27). Some interpretations suggest these might even be specific family garments passed down to the firstborn, symbolizing a link to Abraham and Isaac.
• of Esau her older son (עֵשָׂו בְּנָהּ הַגָּדֹל, ‘ēśāw bᵊnāh haggādōl): Emphasizes Esau's birthright and established position. He is "the great" or "the older" son, implying his customary right to the blessing. The garments belong to him and are identified with him.
• which were with her in the house (אֲשֶׁר אִתָּהּ בַּבָּיִת, ʾašer ‘ittāh babayit): This detail is crucial. It shows Rebekah had access to them, implying an intimate knowledge of her sons' belongings and routines, or perhaps that these special garments were entrusted to her keeping as the matriarch. It facilitates her plot by removing any obstacles to acquiring them. It also highlights her pre-meditated planning and control over the household.
• and put them on (וַתַּלְבֵּשׁ, vattalbēš): Active verb, indicating that she dressed him. This is a deliberate act of substitution and disguise. It visually andolfactorily transforms Jacob into the image of Esau, necessary for Isaac's sense-dependent perception.
• Jacob her younger son (יַעֲקֹב בְּנָהּ הַקָּטָן, yaʿăqōḇ bᵊnāh haqqāṭān): The contrast with "older son" emphasizes the role reversal she is orchestrating. Jacob, the "supplanter" or "one who seizes by the heel," is literally stepping into his brother's identity.

Genesis 27 15 Bonus section

The "best garments" (haḥamudot) might have held Esau's unique "field scent," which Isaac later relies upon when blessing Jacob, declaring, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed!" (Gen 27:27). This sensory detail is pivotal to the success of Rebekah's plot. The transfer of these garments is more than just a disguise; it is a symbolic passing of an identity or essence from the firstborn to the second. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, clothing often denoted status, office, and identity. For Rebekah to have these garments in her keeping suggests a high degree of order within the household and her matriarchal authority over certain significant possessions. The absence of Esau's explicit consent for their use, or even knowledge, underscores Rebekah's complete orchestration of the plan. This also hints at a subtle psychological battle between Rebekah and Isaac regarding the children, where Rebekah's conviction about God's earlier word (Gen 25:23) drives her to bypass the customary family hierarchy.

Genesis 27 15 Commentary

Genesis 27:15 encapsulates Rebekah's decisive action to subvert Isaac's intention and redirect the patriarchal blessing. Her appropriation of Esau's "best garments" is not a trivial detail; these garments likely carried significant meaning, possibly serving as markers of the firstborn's status or embodying Esau's characteristic scent from his outdoor life. By clothing Jacob in them, Rebekah initiated a sophisticated sensory deception, critical for Isaac's blind state. This act highlights her unwavering conviction in God's prophecy regarding the twins, even though she resorts to deceptive means rather than trusting God's sovereignty to fulfill His word. This passage reflects human efforts, driven by favoritism and impatience, to achieve divine purposes. It also serves as a poignant reminder that while God can use flawed human actions to advance His plan, it does not justify the deception, as evidenced by the subsequent conflict and separation in the family. The story thus explores themes of divine election, human responsibility, the power of deception, and the lasting consequences of moral compromise within a family.