Genesis 27

Genesis 27 tells the pivotal story of how Jacob deceives his father Isaac to steal the blessing intended for his older brother Esau.

Isaac, now old and blind, feels death approaching and asks his favorite son Esau to hunt game and prepare a meal for him, after which he plans to give Esau his special blessing.

Rebekah overhears this conversation and devises a plan to ensure her favorite son Jacob receives the blessing instead. She prepares a meal and helps Jacob disguise himself as Esau by covering his smooth skin with goatskins and dressing him in Esau's clothes.

When Jacob goes to Isaac pretending to be Esau, Isaac is suspicious because Jacob's voice doesn't match Esau's. He feels Jacob's goatskin-covered hands and is convinced enough to proceed with the blessing, which includes promises of abundance, dominion over nations, and curses for those who curse him.

Shortly after Jacob leaves, Esau returns with the prepared meal. Isaac and Esau both realize the deception, and Esau weeps bitterly. Isaac cannot revoke the blessing already given to Jacob but offers Esau a lesser blessing that includes living by the sword and eventually breaking free from Jacob's dominion.

Esau becomes enraged and plans to kill Jacob after their father dies. When Rebekah learns of this threat, she tells Jacob to go her brother Laban's house in Haran, under the pretext of finding a wife from her family rather than from the local Canaanites.

The chapter showcases themes of deception, favoritism, the complexity of family relationships, and the fulfillment of God's earlier prophecy that "the elder shall serve the younger."