Genesis 27:17 kjv

And she gave the savory meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Genesis 27:17 nkjv

Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Genesis 27:17 niv

Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

Genesis 27:17 esv

And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Genesis 27:17 nlt

Then she gave Jacob the delicious meal, including freshly baked bread.

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 17 Meaning

Genesis 27:17 details the pivotal moment when Rebekah, the mother, actively gives the specially prepared food to her son Jacob, enabling him to impersonate his brother Esau and secure the patriarchal blessing from Isaac. This act is central to the elaborate deception orchestrated by Rebekah, aimed at fulfilling the divine prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger," yet carried out through human guile rather than patient faith. The verse highlights Rebekah's initiative and Jacob's compliance in the scheme.

Genesis 27 17 Context

Genesis chapter 27 describes the patriarchal blessing of Isaac, which takes a dramatic turn due to familial deception. Isaac, old and blind, intends to bless his eldest son, Esau, a skilled hunter, asking him to prepare a savory meal before receiving the blessing (Gen 27:1-4). Rebekah, however, overhears this plan and favors Jacob, the younger and quieter son. Motivated by her preference and perhaps the earlier prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23), she devises a plan for Jacob to impersonate Esau.

She instructs Jacob to fetch two young goats (Gen 27:9), which she will prepare into the savory dish Isaac desired. Jacob voices concern about the deception due to the difference in his smooth skin versus Esau's hairy body, fearing a curse rather than a blessing (Gen 27:11-12). Rebekah accepts the responsibility for any curse, urging him to comply (Gen 27:13). After Jacob fetches the goats, Rebekah quickly prepares the meat (Gen 27:14), dresses Jacob in Esau's clothes, and covers his hands and neck with the goat skins to mimic Esau's hairiness (Gen 27:15-16). Genesis 27:17 then narrates the crucial act of her handing the prepared food and bread to Jacob, empowering him to approach Isaac and execute the deception. The verse marks the physical initiation of the fraudulent claim for the blessing, immediately preceding Jacob's encounter with Isaac. This incident forever alters the familial dynamic and shapes the destiny of both brothers.

Genesis 27 17 Word analysis

• And she put (וַתִּתֵּן - vat-tit-ten): The Hebrew verb נָתַן (natan) in its Hiphil stem indicates a causative and direct action – "she caused to be given" or "she placed." This highlights Rebekah's active, deliberate role as the instigator and enabler of the deception. Her initiative is central.
• the savoury meat (מַטְעַמִּים - mat'ammim): This noun refers to "delicacies," "choice food," or "dainty dishes." It signifies a special, highly desirable meal, specifically tailored to Isaac's taste. The significance is immense as this food is the central prop in the deception, intended to mimic Esau's hunting prowess, a core part of Isaac's expectation for the blessing ceremony.
• and the bread (וְהַלֶּחֶם - və-hal-lechem): This refers to regular bread, completing the meal. While less specific than the savoury meat, its inclusion makes the offering a complete, traditional meal suitable for a formal patriarchal blessing, reinforcing the pretense of Esau's diligence.
• which she had prepared (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂתָה - asher 'asata): The verb עָשָׂה ('asah) means "to make" or "to do." The phrase emphasizes that it was Rebekah's hands that prepared the meal, directly contravening Isaac's instruction to Esau and further underscoring her proactive involvement in the fraudulent scheme. Her cunning and industry are displayed here, even if misdirected.
• into the hand (בְּיַד - bə-yad): The phrase "into the hand of" denotes a direct transfer of possession and responsibility. Rebekah is entrusting Jacob with the instruments of deception. It implies empowering him for the task, signifying the culmination of her preparatory efforts and the delegation of the final act to her son.
• of her son Jacob (יַעֲקֹב בְּנָהּ - ya'aqov b'nah): The specific mention of "her son" emphasizes the maternal bond and Rebekah's favoritism, which drove her actions. It highlights the familial nature of the deception, which pitted brother against brother and wife against husband, due to the mother's intense devotion to one child.

Word-groups Analysis:

• "the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared": This entire phrase encapsulates the deceitful nature of the prepared meal. It was not Esau's hunted fare, but Rebekah's meticulously prepared substitute, the key prop in Jacob's impersonation. This meal is not just food; it is a meticulously crafted lie, a physical manifestation of the deceit about to unfold.
• "she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob": This segment underscores Rebekah's full command of the situation and her transfer of this prepared deceit to Jacob. It symbolizes the point of no return for Jacob; by accepting the food, he fully commits to the pretense and enters the role assigned to him by his mother. It also implies a maternal authority and guidance that Jacob, though initially hesitant, ultimately submits to.

Genesis 27 17 Bonus section

The seemingly minor detail of "the bread" alongside "the savoury meat" is noteworthy. While the savoury meat fulfills Isaac's specific desire for game, the inclusion of bread creates a complete meal. In the ancient Near East, partaking in a meal, especially one prepared by a specific individual for a specific purpose (like Isaac's blessing), symbolized intimacy, covenant, and a deep, binding connection. Rebekah ensures that Jacob presents a full, convincing representation of Esau's preparedness and loyalty through this meal, making the deceit even more thorough. This ceremonial act of presentation before a blessing prefigures many significant meals in the Bible, including covenant meals and the solemnity associated with offerings and spiritual fellowship. This deception through food parallels the incident where Esau "despised his birthright" by selling it for a single meal (Gen 25:34), showing food's symbolic power and critical role in moments of profound spiritual consequence within the Abrahamic lineage.

Genesis 27 17 Commentary

Genesis 27:17 represents a pivotal step in Rebekah's calculated scheme to secure the blessing for Jacob, moving from mere plotting to tangible action. It demonstrates her profound conviction and manipulative agency. The "savoury meat and bread," symbolic of Esau's hunting skill and a direct requirement from Isaac, becomes the central prop of deception. Rebekah, having swiftly prepared this ersatz meal, meticulously hands it "into the hand of her son Jacob," thereby transferring the direct means of the lie to him. This act is pregnant with theological implications.

First, it highlights human attempts to manipulate divine promises. While God had already declared "the elder shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23), Rebekah's actions demonstrate a lack of trust in God's timing and methods, opting for human contrivance. This echoes the broader biblical theme that God often fulfills His purposes not because of human schemes, but in spite of them, and sometimes through them, albeit bringing forth complex consequences.

Second, the verse emphasizes Rebekah's leading role in the deception. Her resolve overshadows Jacob's initial hesitation, indicating the significant influence of familial relationships on individual choices. The handover of the food signifies a commissioning of Jacob into his deceptive role.

Lastly, the act foreshadows the bitter consequences of the deception for all involved: Jacob's subsequent exile, Esau's enduring hatred, and the generational discord that would mark the families. It underscores the biblical principle that unrighteous means, even if for a perceived righteous end, sow seeds of difficulty and bring about suffering for God's people. This incident teaches a profound lesson about the importance of integrity, trust in God's providence, and the detrimental impact of guile, even within the confines of a family destined for blessing.