Genesis 27:26 kjv

And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

Genesis 27:26 nkjv

Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son."

Genesis 27:26 niv

Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me."

Genesis 27:26 esv

Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near and kiss me, my son."

Genesis 27:26 nlt

Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come a little closer and kiss me, my son."

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 26 Meaning

This verse records Isaac's specific instruction to the person he believes to be Esau: to draw near and engage in a kiss. It signifies Isaac's desire for an intimate parental interaction immediately prior to bestowing the crucial patriarchal blessing, implying a sense of solemnity and familial bonding associated with the transfer of such significant spiritual and material heritage. This act of drawing near and kissing was intended as a final confirmation of identity or an affectionate prelude to the irrevocable blessing.

Genesis 27 26 Context

Genesis chapter 27 depicts a pivotal family drama centered on the patriarchal blessing. Isaac, aged and blind, desires to give his firstborn, Esau, the traditional and irrevocable blessing before his death. Rebekah, favoring Jacob, conspires to deceive Isaac, instructing Jacob to impersonate Esau by preparing a meal and covering himself with goat skins to mimic Esau's hairy arms and wear his clothing. The verse in question comes after Jacob has presented the prepared meal to Isaac, who despite his doubts about the voice, is swayed by the appearance and feel of Jacob. The command to "come near" and "kiss me" is the penultimate step before Isaac bestows the blessing, a moment of deep physical and emotional significance in the ancient world, intended to cement the bond and potentially confirm the identity through scent or close inspection.

Genesis 27 26 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): Literally "and he said". This conjunction ties the command to the immediate preceding events, signifying a direct and continuous narrative flow. It shows Isaac's initiative following Jacob's presentation of the food.
• his father (אָבִיו - 'aviv): Emphasizes the relationship of authority and inheritance. Isaac acts in his role as the patriarch. The father's blessing was paramount in ancient Near Eastern society.
• Isaac (יִצְחָק - Yitzchaq): The patriarch, son of Abraham, through whom the covenant promises are to pass. His name, meaning "he laughs," creates an irony as this scene is full of deception and grave seriousness, a far cry from the laughter of his birth (Gen 21:6). He is physically vulnerable due to his blindness.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyomer): A repetition from the opening "Then... said," underscoring the direct command and the power of the spoken word in the blessing ceremony.
• to him (אֵלָיו - 'elayv): Refers to Jacob, but crucially, Isaac believes he is speaking to Esau. This highlights the central deception, placing emphasis on the mistaken identity that underpins the entire drama.
• 'Come near (גְּשָׁה - geshah): An imperative verb, "draw near" or "approach." The Hebrew root nagash (נגש) often implies a significant or intimate approach, frequently in a ritualistic or interpersonal context, like approaching God (Exo 24:2), or approaching another person for conversation or action (Gen 18:23). Here, it signifies the need for proximity for the intended interaction.
• now (נָּא - na'): A particle conveying a polite request, urging, or an immediate action, often translated as "please" or "I pray you." It adds a sense of urgency and earnestness to Isaac's desire for closeness.
• and kiss (וּשְׁקָה - ushqah): Imperative verb from the root nashaq (נשק). This is not just a casual greeting. In the ancient world, a kiss could signify deep affection, respect, submission, or be part of a solemn ritual. For Isaac, it might have been an act of familial endearment, a final check by scent (Esau was known for his outdoor life and perhaps unique scent, as mentioned in the subsequent verse 27), or an integral step in the blessing transfer ritual. It highlights the intimacy of the father-son bond that Isaac is attempting to affirm.
• me (לִי - li): Personalizes the request, focusing on Isaac's desire for the embrace from his perceived firstborn.
• my son (בְּנִי - b'ni): A term of endearment and direct address to a beloved child. The use of this affectionate term, coupled with Isaac's misidentification, imbues the scene with profound dramatic irony and pathos. Isaac's genuine paternal love is evident, even as he is deceived.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then his father Isaac said to him": This opening phrase establishes the scene and the primary actor, Isaac, acting in his authoritative paternal capacity. The act of "saying" initiates the next step in the deceptive plan.
• "'Come near now": This command signifies Isaac's proactive desire for a close physical interaction. The urgency of "now" suggests the imminent and crucial nature of the blessing to follow, requiring a personal connection.
• "and kiss me": The heart of the request, highlighting Isaac's need for intimate physical contact. This gesture served multiple purposes: personal affection, sensory verification of identity (through touch and scent), and potentially a traditional part of a sacred blessing ceremony.
• "my son": This affectionate appellation reveals Isaac's profound love and intent towards the one he believed was Esau, the legitimate heir of the firstborn blessing. This address emphasizes the deception's poignant nature, as Isaac unwittingly addresses the younger son who is receiving the elder's blessing.

Genesis 27 26 Bonus section

• The Power of the Kiss: Beyond a mere greeting, a kiss in biblical contexts often denotes an intimate transfer or recognition. In this specific scenario, the kiss (along with the embrace and the scent of the field on the clothing) serves as crucial sensory information for Isaac, given his compromised vision, to affirm who he is blessing. This moment becomes one of Jacob's highest points of vulnerability to discovery.
• Blindness as Metaphor: Isaac's physical blindness here serves as a powerful literary device, paralleling his spiritual blindness or inability to discern between his two sons. He sees not with divine insight, but through his preferences and limited physical senses, which are easily exploited.
• Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Deception: This narrative powerfully illustrates how divine pre-destination can unfold even through morally questionable human actions. While God had already chosen Jacob, the methods used by Rebekah and Jacob highlight the struggles with faith and patience, resorting to manipulation instead of trusting God's timing and means. The blessing received was indeed from God, but the path to it was marked by sin and distress for the family.

Genesis 27 26 Commentary

Genesis 27:26 encapsulates Isaac's vulnerable yet authoritative position as he prepares to impart a blessing of profound spiritual and material consequence. His blindness necessitates a reliance on his other senses and physical proximity. The command "Come near now and kiss me, my son" is deeply significant. It speaks to the patriarchal practice of intimacy preceding such sacred acts. Isaac sought reassurance and familial connection, perhaps using the kiss to confirm identity by smell (as later revealed in Gen 27:27 where he smells Jacob's clothes, not Jacob directly). Despite Jacob's deceitful act, which highlights human sin and manipulation, God's divine plan (Gen 25:23) for Jacob to receive the primary blessing unfolds. The irrevocability of a spoken blessing in the ancient world meant that Isaac's words, once uttered, could not be truly rescinded, thus aligning, despite human imperfections, with God's ultimate purpose. This verse sets the stage for the powerful and destiny-shaping words Isaac is about to pronounce, emphasizing that even through flawed human agency, divine providence can guide events towards its sovereign will.