God’s Word Translation
Genesis 27:23
23He didn’t recognize Jacob, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him.
Genesis 27:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.
- New International Version (NIV)He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him.
Context of Genesis 27:23
21Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come over here so that I can feel your skin, Son, ⌞to find out⌟ whether or not you really are my son Esau.” 22So Jacob went over to his father. Isaac felt ⌞his skin⌟. “The voice is Jacob’s,” he said, “but the hands are Esau’s.” He didn’t recognize Jacob, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. 24“Are you really my son Esau?” he asked him. “I am,” Jacob answered. 25Isaac said, “Bring me some of the game, and I will eat it, Son, so that I will bless you.” Jacob brought it to Isaac, and he ate it. Jacob also brought him wine, and he drank it.
Read all of Genesis 27Genesis 27:23 word by word
וְלֹ֣א הִכִּיר֔וֹ כִּֽי־הָי֣וּ יָדָ֗יו כִּידֵ֛י עֵשָׂ֥ו אָחִ֖יו שְׂעִרֹ֑ת וַֽיְבָרְכֵֽהוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Genesis 27:23
- Genesis 27:16She put the skins from the young goats on his hands and on the back of his neck.
- Romans 9:11Before the children had been born or had done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told that the older child would serve the younger one. This was said to Rebekah so that God’s plan would remain a matter of his choice,
- Hebrews 11:20Faith led Isaac to bless Jacob and Esau.
Commentaries on Genesis 27:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy - From this circumstance we may learn that Isaac's sense of feeling was much impaired by his present malady. When he could not discern the skin of a kid from the flesh of his son, we see that he was, through his infirmity, in a fit state to be imposed on by the deceit of his wife, and the cunning of his younger son.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-46Verses 1-46 - Isaac Blessing His Sons The life of Isaac falls into three periods. During the first seventy-five years he is contemporary with his father. For sixty-one years more his son Jacob remains under the paternal roof. The remaining forty-four years are passed in the retirement of old age. The chapter before us narrates the last solemn acts of the middle period of his life. Genesis 27:1-4 Isaac was old. - Joseph was in his thirtieth year when he…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-29Verses 18-29 Jacob, with some difficulty, gained his point, and got the blessing. This blessing is in very general terms. No mention is made of the distinguishing mercies in the covenant with Abraham. This might be owing to Isaac having Esau in his mind, though it was Jacob who was before him. He could not be ignorant how Esau had despised the best things. Moreover, his attachment to Esau, so as to disregard the mind of God, must have greatly weakened his…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-27Isaac expressed his doubts three times. But his senses, which were not working well, eventually misled him (see study note on 27:1–4).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2718-27. he came unto his father--The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was roused into a state of high satisfaction and delight.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 27:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 27
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries