And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.

GENESIS 27:20KJV
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Genesis 27:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:20 mean?

Genesis 27:20 shows Isaac questioning how his son was able to find and prepare food so quickly, and the son replies that it was because the LORD his God brought it to him. This exchange highlights a moment of suspicion and an attempt to reassure Isaac with a spiritual explanation.

In this scene, Isaac is speaking to his son, who is actually Jacob pretending to be Esau in order to receive a blessing meant for his brother. Isaac’s question reveals his doubt about how the meal was prepared so fast, and Jacob’s answer uses God’s name to make his story sound convincing. The verse sits at a key moment in the story of Jacob’s deception.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:20

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, often used to emphasize a direct relationship or divine involvement. Jacob uses this name to make his claim sound more trustworthy to Isaac.
  • brought (קָרָה, qarah): This word means "to bring about" or "to cause to happen." Jacob claims that God caused the food to come to him, suggesting it was beyond his own effort and happened by divine intervention.
  • quickly (מַהֵר, maher): This word means "with haste" or "quickly." Isaac’s use of it shows his genuine surprise at how fast the meal was prepared, which hints at his suspicion.

Why Genesis 27:20 matters

  • This verse highlights Jacob’s willingness to use God’s name to support his deception, showing the lengths he is willing to go to receive the blessing.
  • The verse reveals Isaac’s suspicion and carefulness, which adds tension to the story and shows he is not easily fooled.
  • By using the name יְהוָה (YHWH), the verse connects the personal God of the family’s covenant to the unfolding events, even as human motives and actions complicate the story.

Where else these words appear

“brought” Hebrew H7136 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 24:12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
  • Numbers 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
  • Nehemiah 3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

“quickly” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 13:10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.
  • Esther 5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

“Isaac” Hebrew H3327 · used in 101 verses

  • Genesis 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
  • Genesis 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
  • Genesis 35:28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.