18 Then he came to his father and said , "My father ." And he said , "Here I am. Who are you, my son ?" 19 Jacob said to his father , "I am Esau your firstborn ; I have done as you told me. Get up, please , sit and eat of my game , that you may bless me." 20 Isaac said to his son , "How is it that you have it so quickly , my son ?" And he said , " Because the Lord your God caused it to happen to me." 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob , "Please come close , that I may feel you, my son , whether you are really my son Esau or not." 22 So Jacob came close to Isaac his father , and he felt him and said , "The voice is the voice of Jacob , but the hands are the hands of Esau ." 23 He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands ; so he blessed him. 24 And he said , "Are you really my son Esau ?" And he said , "I am." 25 So he said , "Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son's game , that I may bless you." And he brought it to him, and he ate ; he also brought him wine and he drank . 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Please come close and kiss me, my son ." 27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments , he blessed him and said , "See , the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed ; 28 Now may God give you of the dew of heaven , And of the fatness of the earth , And an abundance of grain and new wine ; 29 May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers , And may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 27:18-29

Commentary on Genesis 27:18-29

(Read Genesis 27:18-29)

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 own faith in these things. It might therefore be expected, that leanness would attend his blessing, agreeing with the state of his mind.