Genesis 27:27 kjv

And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Genesis 27:27 nkjv

And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said: "Surely, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field Which the LORD has blessed.

Genesis 27:27 niv

So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, "Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.

Genesis 27:27 esv

So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, "See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed!

Genesis 27:27 nlt

So Jacob went over and kissed him. And when Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he was finally convinced, and he blessed his son. He said, "Ah! The smell of my son is like the smell of the outdoors, which the LORD has blessed!

Genesis 27 verses

Genesis 27 27 Meaning

Genesis 27:27 describes the pivotal moment where Isaac, intending to bless Esau, perceives Jacob through sensory cues—primarily the scent of his clothing—and is moved to deliver the patriarchal blessing. This verse captures Isaac's profound conviction that the "smell of my son" (Jacob, but disguised as Esau) embodies the very essence of "a field that the LORD has blessed," linking Jacob's presence with divine favor, abundance, and the promised fruitfulness of the land.

Genesis 27 27 Context

Genesis 27:27 is the climax of a deeply complex family drama centered on the patriarchal blessing. Isaac, now old and blind (Gen 27:1), desired to give the Abrahamic blessing, including divine favor, wealth, and headship, to his elder son, Esau. However, Rebekah, Isaac's wife, favored Jacob and knew of God's prophetic word concerning the brothers' future (Gen 25:23), orchestrated a deception to secure the blessing for Jacob. Jacob, disguised in Esau's clothes and with goat skins to simulate Esau's hairy arms, approached Isaac. Isaac's initial apprehension ("The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are Esau's hands" - Gen 27:22) is overcome by physical touch and, crucially, by smell, which plays a definitive role in this verse. This immediate historical context shows a patriarchal custom of an irrevocable oral blessing, the importance of primogeniture, and the deep emotional family dynamics often entwined with God's sovereign plans.

Genesis 27 27 Word analysis

• So he went near: (וַיִּגַּשׁ – vayigash). Hebrew verb nagash, meaning "to draw near, approach." It signifies an act of deliberate closeness, creating a crucial intimacy for the blessing. This action is pivotal, moving Jacob from a cautious distance to the proximity necessary for Isaac to perform his final check through sensory means.
• and kissed him;: (וַיִּשַּׁק לוֹ – vayishaq lo). Hebrew verb nāšaq, "to kiss." A common greeting, but in this context, it reinforces Isaac's affection and also provides an opportunity for him to perceive scent. The kiss further signifies intimacy and the assumption of parental recognition.
• and he smelled: (וַיָּרַח – vaya'rach). Hebrew verb rachaq (from reyach - smell/scent), here in the hifil stem, meaning "to cause to smell," or more directly, "to inhale, sniff deeply." This is an active and deliberate act by Isaac to verify Jacob's identity, especially since his eyesight had failed. It underscores the vital role of other senses in discerning identity and blessing.
• the smell of his garments: (אֶת רֵיחַ בְּגָדָיו – et reyach begadav). Reyach (smell, odor) and begadav (his garments). This highlights the crucial element of the deception. The smell originates from Esau’s "best garments" (Gen 27:15), imbued with the scent of the outdoors, hunt, and possibly intentional efforts by Rebekah to enhance their "field" odor. This sensory detail overrides Isaac's earlier auditory doubt.
• and blessed him: (וַיְבָרְכֵהוּ – vayevarechehu). Hebrew verb barak, "to bless." This marks the definitive transition; once the sensory test is passed, Isaac proceeds with the formal, spiritual, and binding pronouncement. The blessing is more than just good wishes; it's a conferral of spiritual authority, prosperity, and a connection to the covenant promises.
• and said,: (וַיֹּאמֶר – vayo'mer). Hebrew verb amar, "to say, speak." Introduces Isaac's profound and poetic declaration that forms the core of the blessing.
• 'See,: (רְאֵה – re'eh). Hebrew verb ra'ah, "to see, behold," in the imperative form. Ironic, given Isaac's blindness. It implies a deeper perception beyond physical sight, inviting Jacob (and the reader) to grasp the profound significance of what Isaac "sees" through his other senses—the divine favor attached to the "smell."
• the smell of my son: (רֵיחַ בְּנִי – reyach beni). Repetition of reyach. This affirms Isaac's conviction, based on the scent, that he is indeed with Esau. The identification is made firm through smell.
• is as the smell of a field: (כְּרֵיחַ שָׂדֶה – kerayach sadeh). Hebrew k- (like/as) + reyach (smell) + sadeh (field, open country). This is the key metaphorical comparison. "Field" signifies open, cultivated, or wild land, abundant in nature. It evokes images of natural growth, fertility, and a vastness unconstrained by human cultivation, thus wild and powerful.
• that the Lord has blessed;: (אֲשֶׁר בֵּרֲכוֹ יְהוָה – asher berakho YHWH). Asher (that/which) + barak (blessed) + YHWH (the LORD, God's personal covenant name). This phrase explicitly attributes the source of the blessedness not to the field itself or to the garments, but to God Himself. This grounds the blessing firmly in divine sovereignty and covenantal promise.

Words-Group Analysis

• "he went near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his garments": This sequence describes Isaac's sensory confirmation process. Each action brings him closer to fully accepting Jacob's disguised identity as Esau, overriding his auditory doubt (Gen 27:22) with olfactory and tactile input. The deliberate sniffing is critical; it’s an active engagement of his strongest remaining sense.
• "and blessed him and said, 'See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed;'": This entire declaration represents Isaac's deep conviction and the theological basis of his blessing. The simile directly links the son (who he believes is Esau) to a state of profound divine favor. It's not just a pleasant smell, but one indicative of prosperity and God’s direct intervention. The use of "See," despite Isaac's blindness, invites a recognition of spiritual truth in what is perceived through physical means. This phrase becomes the foundational premise for the potent blessings of fruitfulness, land, and dominion that immediately follow (Gen 27:28-29). The direct reference to "the LORD" (YHWH) attributes the true source of this fertility and abundance to divine power, not just a fertile land itself.

Genesis 27 27 Bonus section

The "smell of a field" (reyach sadeh) contrasted sharply with Jacob’s true identity, which would have been of a tent-dweller and "mild" (Gen 25:27). The scent was thus an effective tool for misdirection, tapping into Isaac's expectation of Esau as a "man of the field." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, smells were highly significant, often linked with presence, identity, and offerings. A "pleasing aroma" (Exo 29:18, Lev 1:9) in offerings signified divine acceptance, paralleling Isaac's acceptance of Jacob based on a perceived blessed smell. This imagery, later picked up in the New Testament (2 Cor 2:14-16, Eph 5:2) concerning the "aroma of Christ" and believers being "fragrant offerings," suggests a deep symbolic connection between sensory perception, identity, and divine approval throughout Scripture. Isaac’s pronouncement connects directly to the ancient understanding of prosperity derived from the fertility of the land—a direct gift from God (Deut 28:8, Psa 65:9-13), underscoring that all true blessings, whether physical or spiritual, are from Him.

Genesis 27 27 Commentary

Genesis 27:27 encapsulates a momentous shift in the patriarchal lineage, rooted in human deception yet undergirded by divine sovereignty. Isaac, sightless and relying on his senses, finds conclusive evidence of Esau's presence through the deep, earthy aroma of his hunting garments. This "smell of a field that the Lord has blessed" transcends a mere pleasant scent; it symbolizes an intrinsic connection to fertility, abundance, and prosperity—qualities that were promises of the Abrahamic covenant. The invocation of "the LORD has blessed" confirms Isaac's theological understanding that such fruitfulness originates directly from God's favor.

While the blessing is obtained through Jacob's deceit, this verse illustrates that God's eternal purposes can weave through flawed human actions (Rom 3:7, Rom 9:10-13). Isaac's senses, though tricked, nevertheless guide him to pronounce a blessing that aligns with God’s preordained plan for Jacob (Gen 25:23). This highlights God's ability to use all circumstances—even those borne of sin—to achieve His sovereign will. The imagery of a "blessed field" carries rich connotations of the covenant land's bounty and divine provision, foreshadowing the prosperous inheritance and spiritual fruitfulness promised to Jacob and his descendants. The spiritual essence of the blessing, rather than the recipient's personal merit or the integrity of the process, is underscored by its divine attribution.

• Practical usage: This narrative reminds believers that God's plans can prevail even amidst human imperfection. We might experience outcomes in life that feel incongruous with how they came about, yet God's hand can still be seen orchestrating His ultimate will. It encourages us to look for God's blessings in the everyday, seeing how His favor can infuse even the mundane (like the smell of a field) with divine significance.