And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

GENESIS 27:24KJV
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Genesis 27:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:24 mean?

Genesis 27:24 shows Isaac asking Jacob to confirm his identity before giving him a father’s blessing. Jacob answers, “I am,” claiming to be his brother Esau. Jacob’s answer is a direct lie, not simply a misunderstanding.

Isaac asks, “Art thou my very son Esau?” The word “very” emphasizes that Isaac wants to know whether the man before him is actually Esau. After noticing in verse 22 that the voice sounded like Jacob’s, Isaac seeks a plain answer.

Why Genesis 27:24 matters

  • Isaac’s question shows that he is still uncertain. He has felt hands that seem like Esau’s, but the voice has given him reason to ask again.
  • Jacob’s deception includes a spoken claim, not just a disguise. His answer, “I am,” joins the goatskins on his hands and neck that helped him feel like his hairy brother.
  • The answer affects who receives Isaac’s blessing. Isaac goes on to bless Jacob while believing he is blessing Esau, the son he had intended to bless.

Where else these words appear

“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.