Genesis 27:15 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:15 mean?

Genesis 27:15 describes how Rebekah took the best clothes belonging to her older son Esau, which she kept in her house, and dressed her younger son Jacob in them. This action was part of Rebekah’s plan to have Jacob impersonate Esau and receive the blessing from their father Isaac.

In this scene, Rebekah is acting secretly to help Jacob deceive Isaac, who is old and nearly blind. By putting Esau’s "goodly raiment" (fine clothing) on Jacob, Rebekah is making Jacob appear and smell more like Esau, since Esau was Isaac’s favored son. This verse sets up the next steps in the story, where Jacob will try to receive the blessing meant for Esau.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:15

• "Goodly" — טוֹב (ṭov, transliterated as "tov") is the word used here, meaning "good" or "best." The verse uses this word to show that Rebekah chose Esau’s finest clothes, not just any garments, highlighting the importance of the deception.
• "Raiment" — בֶּגֶד (beged, transliterated as "beged") means "garment" or "clothing." The use of this word emphasizes that the clothing was a significant part of Esau’s identity, likely carrying his scent and marking him as the firstborn.
• "Eldest" — גָּדוֹל (gadol, transliterated as "gadol") means "great" or "older." This word clarifies that Esau is the firstborn son, which is central to the blessing Jacob is about to receive under false pretenses.
• "Upon" — לָבַשׁ (lavash, transliterated as "lavash") means "to put on" or "clothe." This verb shows the intentional act of dressing Jacob in Esau’s clothes, not just handing them to him.

Why Genesis 27:15 matters

• This verse clarifies that Rebekah was the one actively directing the deception, not Jacob acting alone, which shapes how readers understand the family dynamics.
• The detail about the "goodly raiment" shows the lengths to which Rebekah went to make Jacob convincing as Esau, highlighting the seriousness and premeditation of the plan.
• The verse connects directly to the larger narrative, where the blessing of the firstborn is at stake, and helps explain how Jacob was able to fool Isaac despite their differences.