Genesis - 27:23



23 He didn't recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother, Esau's hands. So he blessed him.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 27:23.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
And he knew him not, because his hairy hands made him like to the elder. Then blessing him,
And he did not discern him, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands; and he blessed him.
And he hath not discerned him, for his hands have been hairy, as the hands of Esau his brother, and he blesseth him,
And he did not make out who he was, because his hands were covered with hair like his brother Esau's hands: so he gave him a blessing.
And he did not recognize him, because his hairy hands made him seem similar to the elder one. Therefore, blessing him,
Et non agnovit eum: quia erant manus ejus sicut manus Esau fratris sui pilosae: et benedixit ei:

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And 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.

And he discerned him not,.... As he could not see, he could make no judgment by that sense; and, though he had his hearing, and thought the voice was like Jacob's, he might imagine there might be an alteration in Esau's voice, coming in haste and weary from the fields; yet, as there could not be any deception in his feeling, he thought it safest to trust to that, as it follows:
because his hands were hairy as his brother Esau's hands; which could not in a short time become so naturally; it was more reasonable to think that Esau's voice should be altered and become like Jacob's, than that Jacob's hands should become like Esau's:
so he blessed him; or intended and determined within himself to bless him, for the blessing was not given till afterwards; unless this is to be understood of a common blessing, congratulating him on the quick dispatch he made, and the great success he met with; and after this gave him the patriarchal blessing, which as yet he had not, being not thoroughly satisfied of him, as appears by what follows.

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