And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

GENESIS 27:25KJV
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Genesis 27:25 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:25 mean?

Genesis 27:25 describes Isaac eating a meal brought by Jacob, whom Isaac believes to be his son Esau. Isaac expects the meal to prepare him to give his son a blessing, a spoken expression of his wishes for that son’s future.

Isaac calls the food “my son’s venison,” meaning meat from an animal caught in hunting. In the surrounding story, Jacob has presented himself as Esau, and the food was prepared from goats rather than hunted game.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:25

  • “venison” — צַיִד (tsayid): This word can mean game, or an animal caught by hunting. Isaac’s description reflects what he believes he is eating.
  • “soul” — נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh): This word can refer to a person’s life or self. “That my soul may bless thee” expresses Isaac’s own intention to give the blessing.

Why Genesis 27:25 matters

  • The meal is part of Isaac’s preparation for the blessing. His words “that my soul may bless thee” connect eating the food with what he intends to do afterward.
  • Isaac’s confidence rests on a mistaken identity. He calls the food “my son’s venison,” while the reader already knows that Jacob has brought it.
  • Wine is also part of the encounter. Jacob brings it after the food, and Isaac drinks it before the blessing that follows.

Where else these words appear

“venison” Hebrew H6718 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
  • Genesis 27:7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.
  • Joshua 9:5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

“near” Hebrew H5066 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Joshua 3:9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
  • 2 Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.

“wine” Hebrew H3196 · used in 134 verses

  • Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:15 Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
  • Isaiah 24:9 They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.