This verse from Genesis 27:23 is a key part of the story of Jacob deceiving his father Isaac into giving him the blessing that was intended for his older twin brother, Esau. Let's break down the meaning:
"He didn't recognize him...": Isaac was old and his eyesight was failing. He suspected that the person claiming to be Esau was not actually Esau, but he wasn't sure.
"...because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands.": Jacob's mother, Rebekah, had schemed to help Jacob get the blessing. She had taken goatskins and wrapped them around Jacob's hands and neck to make him feel like the hairy Esau. This was done to deceive Isaac's sense of touch.
"So he blessed him.": Because Isaac felt the hairy hands and was convinced it was Esau, he went ahead and bestowed the blessing on Jacob. This was a pivotal moment, as the blessing was believed to have significant power and implications for the future of the recipient and their descendants. It essentially gave Jacob the birthright that belonged to Esau.
In summary, this verse highlights the success of Jacob's deception. Despite Isaac's suspicions, the disguise tricked him, leading him to give the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. This sets in motion a series of consequences and conflicts within the family.
This verse from Genesis 27:23 is a key part of the story of Jacob deceiving his father Isaac into giving him the blessing that was intended for his older twin brother, Esau. Let's break down the meaning:
"He didn't recognize him...": Isaac was old and his eyesight was failing. He suspected that the person claiming to be Esau was not actually Esau, but he wasn't sure.
"...because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands.": Jacob's mother, Rebekah, had schemed to help Jacob get the blessing. She had taken goatskins and wrapped them around Jacob's hands and neck to make him feel like the hairy Esau. This was done to deceive Isaac's sense of touch.
"So he blessed him.": Because Isaac felt the hairy hands and was convinced it was Esau, he went ahead and bestowed the blessing on Jacob. This was a pivotal moment, as the blessing was believed to have significant power and implications for the future of the recipient and their descendants. It essentially gave Jacob the birthright that belonged to Esau.
In summary, this verse highlights the success of Jacob's deception. Despite Isaac's suspicions, the disguise tricked him, leading him to give the blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. This sets in motion a series of consequences and conflicts within the family.