Genesis 27:12
Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jacob’s immediate concern isn't just getting caught, but the spiritual consequence: that by deceiving his blind father, he might actually bring a curse upon himself instead of the promised blessing. He fears appearing as a mocker or a deceiver in his father's eyes, thereby forfeiting the very thing he's trying to obtain.
Jacob is speaking to his mother, Rebekah, expressing his fear that their plan to deceive his blind father, Isaac, might backfire. He worries Isaac will detect the ruse, making him appear as a mocker or deceiver, which could lead to a curse instead of the intended blessing meant for Esau. Rebekah, however, dismisses his fears and insists he proceed with their scheme to secure Isaac's blessing.
Jacob voices a deep-seated fear: what if his father can feel the deception? This isn't just about fooling Isaac's senses; it's about the profound implications of being caught.
Jacob's words, 'My father peradventure will feel me,' reveal a critical understanding of the situation. Isaac's dimming eyesight means his sense of touch becomes a primary way to discern identity. Jacob knows that if Isaac's hands, expecting the rough, hairy skin of Esau, feel his smooth skin, the entire deception will be exposed.
This highlights:
Rebekah overhears the plan and actively urges Jacob forward. Her motivation is rooted in divine promise, but her methods are deeply questionable.
Rebekah's role is pivotal. She has overheard God's decree that the younger would serve the elder, and she believes fervently that Jacob is destined to receive the blessing.
However, her faith, though strong in conviction, is flawed in execution:
Understand the original words
qelalah · Hebrew Noun
A curse is the expression of a wish or pronouncement of evil, judgment, or separation from God upon someone, often as a consequence of disobedience or sin. In the patriarchal context, a father's pronouncement of blessing or curse carried significant weight and divine authority regarding the future of the household.
berakah · Hebrew Noun
A blessing is the pronouncement of divine favor, prosperity, and success upon an individual or group. In the context of the patriarchs, it was an inheritance of God's covenant promises, often bestowed by a father upon his children.
ta'tu'im · Hebrew Noun
To mock or treat with contempt is to act deceptively or dismissively toward another, especially an authority figure. It involves a lack of reverence and an attempt to manipulate or ridicule the truth, which is contrary to the honesty required in a covenant relationship.
Jacob's fear of bringing a curse upon himself stems from the cultural and spiritual understanding that deceiving the blind, especially a patriarch in a sacred act, was a grave offense punishable by God's condemnation.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham's Covenant Renewal
God reiterates His covenant promises to Abraham, emphasizing that the lineage of blessing will continue through Isaac and his descendants.
c. 1770 BC
Isaac's Marriage to Rebekah
Isaac marries Rebekah, and they later have twin sons, Esau and Jacob, whose destinies are foreshadowed by God's words to Rebekah before their birth.
c. 1750 BC
Esau Sells His Birthright
A hungry Esau carelessly trades his valuable birthright, symbolizing his spiritual inheritance, to Jacob for a bowl of stew.
c. 1730 BC
Isaac's Diminished Sight
As Isaac ages, his eyesight fails significantly, making him vulnerable to deception and reliant on touch and sound.
c. 1730 BC
This passage warns against deceiving the blind, directly echoing Jacob's fear of bringing a curse upon himself by making his blind father 'err' or 'wander out of the way'.
Proverbs 1:29-31This proverb highlights the negative consequences of rejecting knowledge and wisdom, paralleling Jacob's fear that his deceit would lead to a curse instead of the desired blessing.
Jeremiah 48:10This verse pronounces a curse on those who do God's work deceitfully, mirroring Jacob's concern that his actions, even if intended to secure a divine promise, could bring a curse due to the deceit involved.
Hebrews 12:16-17This passage describes Esau's regret over selling his birthright, illustrating the profound and lasting consequences of treating sacred things lightly, which Jacob fears will happen if his deceit is discovered.
calvinGenesis 27:1-46: "And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I."
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it
Ribca autem audiebat, dum loqueretur Ishac ad Esau filium suum: et perrexit Esau in agrum, ut venaretur venationem, ut afferret.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob h…
gillGenesis 27:12: "My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing."
My father peradventure will feel me,.... For, though he could not see him, and so discern whether he had any hair or no on him, yet, suspecting him by his voice, he might call him to him to feel him, as he did; for Jacob understood his mother right, that he was to represent his brother Esau in the transaction of this affair: and I shall seem to him…
Jacob’s immediate concern isn't just getting caught, but the spiritual consequence: that by deceiving his blind father, he might actually bring a curse upon himself instead of the promised blessing. He fears appearing as a mocker or a deceiver in his father's eyes, thereby forfeiting the very thing he's trying to obtain.
Jacob is speaking to his mother, Rebekah, expressing his fear that their plan to deceive his blind father, Isaac, might backfire. He worries Isaac will detect the ruse, making him appear as a mocker or deceiver, which could lead to a curse instead of the intended blessing meant for Esau. Rebekah, however, dismisses his fears and insists he proceed with their scheme to secure Isaac's blessing.
Jacob is speaking to his mother, Rebekah, expressing his fear that their plan to deceive his blind father, Isaac, might backfire. He worries Isaac will detect the ruse, making him appear as a mocker or deceiver, which could lead to a curse instead of the intended blessing meant for Esau. Rebekah, however, dismisses his fears and insists he proceed with their scheme to secure Isaac's blessing.
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Despite the lies, the disguises, and the parental manipulation, God's plan unfolds. How can this be?
This narrative is a powerful testament to God's sovereignty, even when human actions are deeply flawed. Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob all play their parts with a mix of faith, fear, manipulation, and deception.
Jacob Deceives Isaac
Under his mother Rebekah's guidance, Jacob disguises himself as Esau to receive Isaac's patriarchal blessing intended for the firstborn.
c. 1730 BC
Esau Learns of the Stolen Blessing
Upon discovering Jacob has received the blessing meant for him, Esau reacts with intense grief and anger, vowing to kill Jacob.
c. 1730 BC
Jacob Flees to Haran
Fearing for his life, Jacob flees his home and family, heading to Mesopotamia to stay with Rebekah's brother, Laban.
"Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.”" — Jacob’s immediate concern isn't just getting caught, but the spiritual consequence: that by deceiving his blind father, he might actually bring a curse upon himself instead of the promised blessing.…
