And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

GENESIS 27:21KJV
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Genesis 27:21 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:21 mean?

Genesis 27:21 shows Isaac asking Jacob to come closer so he can touch him and make sure he is really Esau. Isaac is suspicious and wants to confirm the identity of the son standing before him before giving his blessing.

In this scene, Isaac is speaking to Jacob, who is pretending to be his brother Esau in order to receive their father’s blessing. Isaac, who is old and cannot see well, relies on his sense of touch to try to tell if the person in front of him is truly Esau, as Jacob’s voice has made him uncertain. This moment highlights the tension and deception at play in the story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:21

  • "Near" (נָגַשׁ, nagash): This word means to approach or come closer. Isaac’s request for Jacob to draw near shows his caution and desire to confirm who is in front of him.
  • "Feel" (מָשַׁשׁ, mashash): This word means to touch or feel. Isaac’s reliance on touch instead of sight underlines his vulnerability and the seriousness of the deception.
  • "Very" (זֶה, zeh): This word is often used for emphasis, meaning “this” or “truly.” Isaac is stressing that he wants to know if the person is really his son Esau.

Why Genesis 27:21 matters

  • This verse shows Isaac’s uncertainty and carefulness, which adds suspense to the story and shows he is not easily fooled.
  • The verse highlights how Jacob’s deception depends on more than just words; it involves physical disguise and manipulation.
  • This moment is a turning point in the larger story of Jacob and Esau, as it sets up the giving of the blessing that will shape the future of both brothers.

Where else these words appear

“feel” Hebrew H4184 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 16:26 And Samson said unto the lad that held him by the hand, Suffer me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house standeth, that I may lean upon them.
  • Psalms 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

“very” Hebrew H2088 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
  • Exodus 13:8 And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.
  • 1 Kings 17:24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.

“Esau” Hebrew H6215 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
  • Genesis 28:8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
  • Genesis 36:13 And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

“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.