Genesis 27:1-4 Meaning: Why Isaac Blessed Esau
1When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?” He said to him, “Here I am.”
2He said, “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death.
3Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and get me venison.
4Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”
1And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
2And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
3Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
4And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
1And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Here am I.
2And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death.
3Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me venison;
4and make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
1And it cometh to pass that Isaac is aged, and his eyes are too dim for seeing, and he calleth Esau his elder son, and saith unto him, `My son;' and he saith unto him, `Here am I.'
2And he saith, `Lo, I pray thee, I have become aged, I have not known the day of my death;
3and now, take up, I pray thee, thy instruments, thy quiver, and thy bow, and go out to the field, and hunt for me provision,
4and make for me tasteful things, such as I have loved, and bring in to me, and I do eat, so that my soul doth bless thee before I die.'
1And it came to pass when Isaac had become old, and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, that he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, My son! And he said to him, Here am I.
2And he said, Behold now, I am become old; I know not the day of my death.
3And now, I pray thee, take thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field and hunt me venison,
4and prepare me a savoury dish such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, in order that my soul may bless thee before I die.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand why Isaac, despite God's oracle and Esau's birthright sale, planned to give Esau the blessing. A devotional on Genesis 27:1-4.
Context
Isaac is old now, past a hundred. His eyes have grown so dim he cannot see. He feels death close and calls for Esau, his firstborn. Isaac asks him to hunt and prepare a meal, savory food, the kind he loves, so that after eating he may give Esau his blessing. This blessing was no ordinary wish. It carried the weight of God’s promise to Abraham: land, descendants, and the line through whom all nations would be blessed. Yet God had already spoken to Rebekah that the elder would serve the younger. And Esau had sold his birthright years before. Still, Isaac moves ahead as if those things never happened. The stage is set for a collision between human preference and divine purpose.
Key Words
Three Hebrew words open the door to this scene. “Dim” (kaha) means eyes that have grown weak and cloudy. It is the same word used for a lamp flickering out. Isaac cannot see what is in front of him, and perhaps he cannot see God’s plan at all. Then there is “soul” (nephesh). Isaac says, “My soul may bless you.” This is his whole self, his appetite, his will, his deepest self. The blessing will come from the very core of who he is. And “bless” (barak) means to kneel and confer favor. It is not a mere wish; it is a transfer of God-given authority. In Isaac’s mind, this blessing seals the future. The words remind us: even the most sincere intentions can miss God’s direction when we lean on our own sight.
How Christians Read This Verse
Many Protestant commentators see Isaac’s plan as a lapse in faith. Matthew Henry writes that Isaac followed “natural affection” rather than God’s oracle. Calvin agrees, calling it a “foolish and inconsiderate carnal affection” that fought against God’s revealed will. On the other hand, some note that Isaac may not have known the full meaning of the prophecy given to Rebekah, or that he considered Esau’s birthright sale invalid. Anglican commentators like the Cambridge Bible observe that Isaac’s blindness is both physical and symbolic, he does not see clearly what God is doing. Catholics have often read this passage as a reminder that even the patriarchs were flawed, and that God’s purposes prevail despite human failure.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think Isaac’s dim eyes are just a plot detail, an old man without his glasses. In fact, the blindness here is a spiritual sign as well. Isaac cannot see what God has already said: that Jacob, not Esau, will carry the promise. His physical dimness mirrors his inner reluctance to accept God’s plan. The text highlights this from the very first verse so we understand why Isaac is so easily deceived.
Living This Out
You may not be planning an ancient blessing, but you do make plans. You favor certain outcomes. You want things to go a certain way. Isaac’s story invites you to ask: Am I holding onto a plan that ignores what God has already shown me? It is not easy to let go of what we want for our children, our work, our future. This week, pay attention to the places where you are “dim”, where you cannot see clearly because your own preferences blur your view. Ask God to show you where you might be moving ahead despite His word.
Main takeaway: Human plans that ignore God’s revealed word often lead to family conflict and missed purposes.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Isaac was very old and couldn’t see well. He wanted to give his best blessing to his older son. But God had a different plan.
For ages 9, 12
Isaac loved Esau best and wanted to bless him even though God had said Jacob would carry the promise. Isaac’s plan caused a lot of hurt in his family. It shows us that following our own wishes instead of God’s word can make a mess. God still worked through the mess, but the pain was real. We can learn to ask God for help to follow His plans, especially when we want something else.
Questions People Ask
Why did Isaac intend to bless Esau instead of Jacob?
Isaac favored Esau, his firstborn, and may have disregarded God’s oracle that the elder would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). He also may not have considered Esau’s sale of the birthright as valid. His natural affection for Esau led him to plan the blessing despite what God had revealed.
Was Isaac wrong to plan to bless Esau?
Most Christian commentators see Isaac’s plan as a failure to trust God’s word. Calvin called it a “foolish carnal affection.” Matthew Henry said Isaac was governed by “natural affection” rather than divine direction. However, Isaac was not acting out of malice; he was simply blind, physically and spiritually, to God’s purposes.
What does “dim eyes” mean in this passage?
The Hebrew word kaha means eyes that have grown weak, like a lamp burning low. It points both to Isaac’s physical failing and to his spiritual dimness: he cannot see what God is doing or has promised. The blindness is a key reason the deception that follows is possible.
How old was Isaac when he planned to bless Esau?
Isaac was about 137 years old at this time, according to most scholars. He lived another 43 years, dying at 180 (Genesis 35:28). His feeling that death was near may have been prompted by his failing health and eyesight.
Did Isaac know about Esau selling his birthright?
The text does not say for sure. Some commentators think Isaac knew but did not regard the sale as valid. Others think he may not have known. Either way, he proceeded to plan the blessing as if the birthright still belonged to Esau by right.
For pastors & researchers
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