Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

GENESIS 27:9KJV
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Genesis 27:9 (KJV)

What does Genesis 27:9 mean?

Genesis 27:9 records Rebekah telling her son Jacob to go to the flock and bring her two good young goats, so she can prepare a tasty meal for Isaac, Jacob’s father, just the way Isaac likes it. This is part of Rebekah’s plan to help Jacob receive his father’s blessing instead of Esau.

In this scene, Rebekah is speaking privately to Jacob while Isaac, her husband, is old and nearly blind. She has overheard Isaac planning to bless Esau, the older son, and quickly comes up with a way for Jacob to take Esau’s place. The verse shows Rebekah’s careful instructions and her knowledge of Isaac’s favorite food, setting up the events that follow in the story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 27:9

  • "Go" (יָלַךְ, yalak): This word is a direct command, urging Jacob to act quickly and decisively. It highlights Rebekah’s urgency and determination in her plan.
  • "Kids" (גְּדָיֵי, g'dayei): This refers specifically to young goats. The choice of young goats is important because their meat would be tender and suitable for making a special dish, showing Rebekah’s attention to detail.
  • "Savoury meat" (מַטְעַמִּים, mat'amim): This word means tasty or flavorful food, not just ordinary meat. Rebekah is planning to make a dish that she knows Isaac loves, which is key to convincing him that Jacob is Esau.
  • "Loveth" (אָהַב, ahav): This word means to love or have deep affection for. The verse emphasizes that Rebekah is making the dish exactly as Isaac prefers, using his favorite recipe to help her plan succeed.

Why Genesis 27:9 matters

  • This verse highlights Rebekah’s active role and resourcefulness in the story, showing she is not just a passive character but is shaping the outcome for her family.
  • The details about the food and Isaac’s preferences reveal how personal and familiar the family relationships are, making the deception possible.
  • Understanding the specific words for “kids” and “savoury meat” helps clarify why Rebekah chose these animals and this method, showing her careful planning and knowledge of what would convince Isaac.

Where else these words appear

“meat” Hebrew H4303 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 27:4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
  • Genesis 27:14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
  • Genesis 27:31 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.

“kids” Hebrew H1423 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 27:16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
  • Exodus 34:26 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother's milk.
  • Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

“goats” Hebrew H5795 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Leviticus 16:5 And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
  • Numbers 29:5 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you: