Genesis 27:16 kjv

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

Genesis 27:16 nkjv

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.

Genesis 27:16 niv

She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins.

Genesis 27:16 esv

And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.

Genesis 27:16 nlt

She covered his arms and the smooth part of his neck with the skin of the young goats.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 16 Meaning

Genesis 27:16 describes Rebekah's elaborate preparation to deceive the blind Isaac. She physically disguised Jacob, her younger son, by affixing goat skins to his hands and the smooth part of his neck. This act aimed to simulate the hairy texture of his elder brother Esau, enabling Jacob to receive the patriarchal blessing intended for the firstborn. It highlights the lengths Rebekah went to manipulate events according to her perception of divine will or personal preference.

Genesis 27 16 Context

Genesis chapter 27 focuses on Isaac's intention to bestow his patriarchal blessing upon Esau, his elder son. Isaac, now old and blind, requests Esau to hunt game and prepare a meal before he gives the blessing. Rebekah, overhearing this, quickly devises a plan to ensure her favored son, Jacob, receives the blessing instead. Jacob initially expresses concern about the difference in their physical appearance—Esau was hairy, Jacob smooth-skinned—fearing he would be cursed instead of blessed if Isaac discovered the deception. Verse 16 specifically details Rebekah's ingenious solution to overcome this physical disparity, targeting Isaac's tactile senses. The broader context of the Abrahamic covenant emphasizes the transmission of divine promises through chosen lineage, and Rebekah, possibly aware of the prophecy from Genesis 25:23 ("the elder shall serve the younger"), sought to expedite or ensure its fulfillment through human means.

Genesis 27 16 Word analysis

• she put: The Hebrew verb va-tasem (וַתָּשֶׂם), meaning "and she placed" or "she put," denotes a deliberate and decisive action. Rebekah is not just advising but actively executing the deceptive act. Her initiative is paramount in this entire scheme.
• the skins: The Hebrew word is ʿōrōt (עֹרֹת), plural of ʿōr (עֹר), meaning "skin" or "hide." The plural indicates more than one piece was used, covering various sensitive areas.
• of the kids: The Hebrew gəḏāyê (גְּדָיֵי), meaning "kids" or "young goats," emphasizes their tender age. Young goat skins would likely be softer and perhaps less coarse than older ones, making the disguise more believable, particularly in mimicking human flesh.
• of the goats: hāʿizzîm (הָעִזִּים), from ʿēz (עֵז), meaning "goat." Goats were common livestock, easily accessible for such a purpose. The choice of goat skins is particularly apt, as goats can be hairy, fitting the need to mimic Esau.
• upon his hands: The Hebrew ʿal yāḏāyw (עַל־יָדָיו), directly "on his hands." For a blind person, hands are primary instruments for touch and recognition. This was crucial for Isaac, who relied on touch to verify Jacob's identity in the absence of sight.
• and upon the smooth: The Hebrew wəḥelqat (וְחֶלְקַת) from ḥālāq (חָלָק), meaning "smoothness" or "slipperiness." This word directly contrasts with Esau's hairy nature and addresses Jacob's specific concern about his smooth skin (Gen 27:11).
• of his neck: The Hebrew ṣawwāʾrô (צַוְּארוֹ), meaning "his neck." The neck is another common area of embrace and tactile contact, especially when someone leans in to give a blessing or a kiss. This dual application (hands and neck) ensures a thorough sensory deception.

Words-group analysis:

• "she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck": This detailed phrase demonstrates Rebekah's meticulous and calculated approach to the deception. It highlights her understanding of Isaac's physical limitation (blindness) and her strategic use of tactile imitation to manipulate his perception. The imagery underscores the thoroughness of the disguise, directly addressing Jacob's primary vulnerability—his smooth skin compared to Esau's hairiness—and indicating a masterful execution of deceit. The chosen animal, young goats, subtly conveys softness, aiming for maximum realism to a blind man's touch.

Genesis 27 16 Bonus section

The use of "kid of goats" holds a subtle irony. In later Mosaic law, young goats and lambs were often designated as offerings for atonement or sacrifices, symbolizing purity and substitute life. Here, goat skins are used not for holiness but for a cunning deception, turning a potential instrument of covenant ritual into a tool of covenant perversion within the patriarchal family. This contrast subtly highlights the moral misalignment of Rebekah and Jacob's actions. Additionally, the phrase "smooth of his neck" might suggest an area for a tender, paternal embrace or kiss, which Isaac would typically give while bestowing the blessing, thus ensuring the sensory deception covered all points of potential tactile verification.

Genesis 27 16 Commentary

Genesis 27:16 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating Rebekah's decisive action to implement her deceitful plan. This carefully constructed disguise underscores the desperate nature of the attempt to secure the blessing, revealing a deep lack of faith in God's ability to fulfill His prophetic word (Gen 25:23) without human interference. By covering Jacob's naturally smooth skin with the rough, hairy hides of young goats, Rebekah exploited Isaac's physical blindness and reliance on touch, fundamentally undermining the truth of the blessing process.

This act, though successful in its immediate goal, introduced profound dysfunction and bitterness into the family. It created a ripple effect of further deceptions within Jacob's life (e.g., Laban's trickery with Leah, his sons deceiving him about Joseph). While God's sovereign will (that the elder serve the younger) ultimately prevailed, it did so despite, not because of, the sin of deception. The narrative serves as a powerful reminder that relying on manipulative human strategies, even for what one believes is a "good" end, brings sorrow and strife. It contrasts sharply with Abraham's faithful, though sometimes faltering, walk. The elaborate disguise also prefigures a theme often found in the Bible: outward appearance can be deceiving, and God looks upon the heart.

• Practical Example 1: Trusting God's timing and methods, rather than resorting to dishonest means, even when seeking good outcomes.
• Practical Example 2: The importance of integrity, as deceit can breed long-lasting negative consequences and damage relationships.