Genesis 27:21
Genesis 27:21 in Multiple Translations
Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?”
And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
And Isaac said, Come near so that I may put my hand on you, my son, and see if you are truly my son Esau or not.
“Come over here so I can touch you, my son,” Isaac told Jacob, “so I can tell if you're really my son Esau or not.”
Againe sayde Izhak vnto Iaakob, Come neere nowe, that I may feele thee, my sonne, whether thou be that my sonne Esau or not.
And Isaac saith unto Jacob, 'Come nigh, I pray thee, and I feel thee, my son, whether thou [art] he, my son Esau, or not.'
Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.”
And Isaac said to Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou art my very son Esau, or not.
And Isaac said: Come hither, that I may feel thee, my son, and may prove whether thou be my son Esau, or not.
Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near to me, my son, so that I can touch you and determine whether you are really my son Esau.”
Then Isaac said, “My son, come close to me, so that I can touch your arms. If your arms are hairy, then I will know that you really are my son Esau.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 27:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 27:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
יִצְחָק֙
אֶֽל
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
גְּשָׁ/ה
נָּ֥א
וַ/אֲמֻֽשְׁ/ךָ֖
בְּנִ֑/י
הַֽ/אַתָּ֥ה
זֶ֛ה
בְּנִ֥/י
עֵשָׂ֖ו
אִם
לֹֽא
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִצְחָק֙
Yitschâq
H3327
Isaac
N-proper
אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
גְּשָׁ/ה
nâgash
H5066
to approach
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
נָּ֥א
nâʼ
H4994
please
Part
וַ/אֲמֻֽשְׁ/ךָ֖
mûwsh
H4184
to feel
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
בְּנִ֑/י
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
הַֽ/אַתָּ֥ה
ʼattâh
H859
you(m.s.)
Part | Pron
זֶ֛ה
zeh
H2088
this
Pron
בְּנִ֥/י
bên
H1121
son
N-ms | Suff
עֵשָׂ֖ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
Esau
N-proper
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 27:21
וַ/יֹּ֤אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יִצְחָק֙
Yitschâq
H3327
"Isaac"
N-proper
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, means 'he laughs' and is the father of Esau and Israel. He is first mentioned in Genesis 17:19. Isaac is a key figure in the Bible, playing a role in the patriarchal stories.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.17.19; son of: Abraham (H0085) and Sarah (H8283); half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); married to Rebekah (H7259); father of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478) § Isaac = "he laughs" son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Isaac. Compare H3446 (יִשְׂחָק). See also: Genesis 17:19; Genesis 27:30; 2 Chronicles 30:6.
אֶֽל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יַעֲקֹ֔ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
גְּשָׁ/ה
nâgash
H5066
"to approach"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms | Suff
To approach or draw near, like Moses to the burning bush, and can also mean to worship or present an argument, as in Genesis 18:23.
Definition: : approach 1) to draw near, approach 1a) (Qal) to draw or come near 1a1) of humans 1a1a) of sexual intercourse 1a2) of inanimate subject 1a2a) to approach one another 1b) (Niphal) to draw near 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to approach, bring near, bring 1d) (Hophal) to be brought near 1e) (Hithpael) to draw near Also means: na.gash (נָגַשׁ ": bring" H5066H)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. See also: Genesis 18:23; 1 Samuel 28:25; Psalms 91:7.
נָּ֥א
nâʼ
H4994
"please"
Part
The Hebrew word 'nâ'' is used to express a polite request, like 'please' or 'I pray', and is often added to verbs to make them more polite. In the Bible, it appears in passages like Ezra's reading of the law to the people.
Definition: 1) I (we) pray, now, please 1a) used in entreaty or exhortation
Usage: Occurs in 374 OT verses. KJV: I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh. See also: Genesis 12:11; Judges 4:19; 1 Kings 13:6.
וַ/אֲמֻֽשְׁ/ךָ֖
mûwsh
H4184
"to feel"
Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
To feel means to touch something, making physical contact with it. This word is used in the Bible to describe physical touch or handling. It can also imply a sense of exploration.
Definition: 1) to feel 1a) (Qal) to feel 1b) (Hiphil) to feel
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: feel, handle. See also: Genesis 27:21; Judges 16:26; Psalms 115:7.
בְּנִ֑/י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
הַֽ/אַתָּ֥ה
ʼattâh
H859
"you(m.s.)"
Part | Pron
You is the translation of a Hebrew word used to address someone directly, like when God says you to someone in the Bible. It can be singular or plural, and is often translated as thee, thou, or ye.
Definition: you (second pers. sing. masc.)
Usage: Occurs in 997 OT verses. KJV: thee, thou, ye, you. See also: Genesis 3:11; Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 14:1.
זֶ֛ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
בְּנִ֥/י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
עֵשָׂ֖ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
"Esau"
N-proper
Esau was the son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, and his name means 'hairy'. He sold his birthright to Jacob and lost the divine blessing, as told in Genesis 25:29-34, and became the ancestor of the Arab peoples.
Definition: § Esau = "hairy" eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: Esau. See also: Genesis 25:25; Genesis 33:9; Jeremiah 49:8.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
Study Notes — Genesis 27:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 27:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 27:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 27:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 27:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 27:21
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 27:21
- Sermons on Genesis 27:21
Context — Isaac Blesses Jacob
19Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.”
20But Isaac asked his son, “How did you ever find it so quickly, my son?” “Because the LORD your God brought it to me,” he replied.
21Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?”
22So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James 4:8 | Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. |
| 2 | Isaiah 57:19 | bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.” |
| 3 | Genesis 27:12 | What if my father touches me? Then I would be revealed to him as a deceiver, and I would bring upon myself a curse rather than a blessing.” |
| 4 | Psalms 73:28 | But as for me, it is good to draw near to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may proclaim all Your works. |
Genesis 27:21 Summary
[In this verse, Isaac is trying to figure out if the person in front of him is really his son Esau. He asks Jacob to come closer so he can touch him and see if his hands feel like Esau's, which were hairy. This shows that Isaac was unsure and needed to use his sense of touch to confirm Jacob's identity, similar to how we might use our senses to navigate the world, as mentioned in (Proverbs 3:5-6). Isaac's actions remind us to trust in God's guidance and not just our own understanding, as seen in (Psalm 119:105).]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Isaac ask Jacob to come closer so he could touch him?
Isaac asked Jacob to come closer so he could touch him because he was unsure if Jacob was really his son Esau, as he had doubts due to the quickness of the hunt, as mentioned in Genesis 27:20. This uncertainty led Isaac to rely on his sense of touch to confirm Jacob's identity.
What was Isaac trying to verify by touching Jacob?
Isaac was trying to verify if the person in front of him was indeed his son Esau by checking if his hands felt like Esau's, which were known to be hairy, as seen in Genesis 27:22-23.
Why did Isaac not recognize Jacob's voice?
Isaac did not recognize Jacob's voice because, as mentioned in Genesis 27:22, the voice was the voice of Jacob, but it seems Isaac was expecting to hear Esau's voice, and the similarity or difference was not enough to confirm the identity without a doubt.
What can we learn from Isaac's actions in this verse?
We can learn from Isaac's actions that our senses can sometimes deceive us, and we should not rely solely on them to make important decisions, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which advises us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways we try to verify the identity or intentions of others, and how can we apply Isaac's example to our own lives?
- How can we balance our desire for physical confirmation with our need to trust in God's guidance, as seen in Psalm 119:105?
- In what ways can our senses deceive us, and how can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's wisdom, as mentioned in Proverbs 28:26?
- What does this verse reveal about the relationship between Isaac and Jacob, and how can we apply this to our own relationships with family members or loved ones?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 27:21
And Isaac said unto Jacob, come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son,.... Still suspecting some fraud in the case; and whereas he knew that Esau was a hairy man, and Jacob smooth, he
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 27:21
And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? He came unto his father.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 27:21
Genesis 27:21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou [be] my very son Esau or not.Ver. 21. That I may feel thee, my son.] Here Isaac used all his senses, and yet is cozened. "There is neither wisdom nor counsel against the Lord". Mihi hominum prudentia similis videtur talparum labori, non sine dexteritate sub terra fodientium, sed ad lumen Solis coecutientium. Gasp. Ens.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 27:21
(21) Come near . . . that I may feel thee.—Besides the answer, in a style very different from Esau’s way of thinking, Isaac was surprised at the short delay in bringing the savoury meat; for the game had to be sought at a distance away from the cattle-pastures. Though, too, the voices of the twins had a certain degree of similarity, yet they would also have their peculiarities, and Isaac detected the difference. But the artifice of the kid-skins fitted, no doubt, cleverly to Jacob’s hands and neck saved him from detection; for after Isaac had passed his hands over him, his doubt entirely vanished.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 27:21
21. Come near] Isaac’s shadow of suspicion has not yet been dispelled, even by the invocation of the Divine Name. He requires to be assured by the very test that Jacob, in Genesis 27:12, had dreaded would defeat his mother’s stratagem. This point raises the excitement of the story.
Sermons on Genesis 27:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Genesis) Genesis 27:18-29 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and Esau from the Bible. He emphasizes that God had already blessed Jacob, but Jacob still sought his father's blessing. J |
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A Craving for the Presence - Part 1 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving the presence of the Lord amidst challenging times, highlighting the need to prioritize seeking God's presence over solely relying o |
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A Man of God by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon reflects on a 70-year journey of faith, witnessing various church tragedies and worldly events, yet remaining steadfast by looking up to Jesus, reading the Word, and fo |
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"Where Are the Praying People?" by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the speaker's strong desire to remain separate from the sinful influences of the world, committing to prayer, Bible reading, and standing against immorality. |
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A Powerful Warning - Lest We Forget the Message by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the urgency of taking the Word of God seriously and being prepared for His soon coming. It calls for a return to intimacy with Christ, dependence on God, and |
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A Touch From God (Full) by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and being willing to fully surrender to Him, leaving behind defilement and busyness. It highlights the need for a de |
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A Craving for the Presence - Part 2 by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the importance of craving and seeking the presence of the Lord in our lives, rather than just relying on legal contracts or promises. It highlights the need |