Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Isaac's profound trembling reveals his sudden, overwhelming realization that his attempt to bless Esau was not just a mistake, but a direct defiance of God's plan. In this moment, the blessing he gave to Jacob is confirmed not by his own will, but by God's irrevocable purpose, highlighting that divine election is sovereign, not dependent on human preference or deception.
Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just as Esau arrives with the game he'd hunted for his father, Isaac realizes with shock and terror that he has already given away the primary patriarchal blessing to Jacob, who had disguised himself. Filled with a profound and terrible fear, Isaac acknowledges the irrevocable nature of the blessing he pronounced, confirming that Jacob, despite the deception, is indeed blessed.
Isaac intended one thing, but something else happened. How can a blessing intended for one person end up on another?
Isaac, the patriarch, was old and his sight was failing. He wanted to bless his son Esau, the firstborn, with a special blessing. However, due to a deception orchestrated by Rebekah and carried out by Jacob, Isaac unknowingly gave the blessing to Jacob.
When Esau arrived and Isaac realized the truth, he was overcome with shock and fear. The text says, 'Isaac trembled very exceedingly.' This wasn't just about being tricked; it was the dawning realization that he had been trying to go against God's plan.
Earlier, God had told Rebekah that 'The older will serve the younger' (Genesis 25:23). Isaac's attempt to bless Esau, despite this prophecy and knowing Esau's character, was an act of his own will. When he discovered the truth, he didn't blame Jacob or Rebekah, but rather affirmed the blessing given to Jacob: 'Yea, and he shall be blessed.' This shows that God's sovereign will, even when facilitated through human flaws and deception, ultimately prevails.
Isaac declared the blessing irrevocable. What does this mean for the promises God makes to us?
Even though Isaac was deceived and his intentions were thwarted, he recognized that the blessing pronounced carried divine weight and could not be undone. He exclaimed, 'Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.'
This is profound because it speaks to the immutability of God's decrees. Once a blessing or promise is given under God's direction, even if initiated by flawed human actions, it stands firm. Isaac understood that the blessing, once spoken in faith (however confused), was sealed by God's purpose.
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This doesn't mean God condones deception. Rather, it illustrates that God is sovereign and can use even imperfect circumstances and people to fulfill His divine plan. The power of the blessing wasn't in Isaac's perfect intention, but in God's ultimate authority and the covenant He was upholding.
Understand the original words
charad · Hebrew Verb
To experience physical or emotional shaking; in a biblical context, it often denotes intense fear, awe, or shock upon realizing a divine or irreversible reality.
This pivotal moment reveals the tension between human intention and divine purpose. Isaac, blinded by affection, tried to circumvent God's declared will. The miraculous confirmation of Jacob's blessing, despite the deception, underscores that God's sovereign choice for the covenant lineage ultimately prevailed.
~2000 BC
Abraham receives God's covenant promise
God promises Abraham that his descendants will be numerous and will possess the land of Canaan. This covenant promises a lineage through which all nations will be blessed.
~1800 BC
Birth of Isaac
Isaac is born as the son of promise to Abraham and Sarah, through whom God's covenant will be passed down.
~1750 BC
Isaac marries Rebekah
Isaac marries Rebekah, who will bear his twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Rebekah plays a key role in the unfolding of God's plan for the covenant lineage.
~1720 BC
Rebekah receives prophecy
Before the twins are born, Rebekah is told by God that the older will serve the younger, indicating God's choice of Jacob over Esau for the continuation of the covenant.
~1700 BC
Isaac attempts to bless Esau
Old and nearly blind, Isaac intends to bless his favorite son Esau, seemingly disregarding the prophecy given to Rebekah and the implied will of God.
~1700 BC— this verse
Jacob deceives Isaac and receives blessing
Through a plan orchestrated by Rebekah, Jacob impersonates Esau and receives the patriarchal blessing, including the promises of the covenant, from his father Isaac.
~1700 BC
Esau's reaction and Jacob's flight
Esau discovers the deception and reacts with grief and anger, threatening Jacob's life. Rebekah then sends Jacob away to Haran for his safety, initiating his long exile.
This passage directly references Esau's regret and inability to change his father's decision about the blessing, highlighting the irreversible nature of what Isaac declares in Genesis.
Genesis 25:23This verse records the prophecy given to Rebekah before the twins were born, stating that the older would serve the younger, which provides the divine context for Isaac's fearful realization and confirmation of Jacob's blessing.
Genesis 25:31-34This passage shows Esau's casual disregard for his birthright when he trades it for a meal, directly contrasting with the profound significance of the blessing Isaac is now confirming and Esau's later desperate tears.
Hebrews 11:20This New Testament verse speaks of Isaac blessing Jacob 'by faith concerning things to come,' underscoring that Isaac's confirmation of the blessing, despite his error, was an act of faith in God's overarching plan.
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…
pooleGenesis 27:33: "And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed."
Isaac was filled with astonishment and horror in consideration of Jacob’s fraud, and the sad disappointment and great misery of his beloved Esau, and his own rashness and folly in suffering his fond affection towards him to carry him headlong into an opposition to the Divine or…
Isaac's profound trembling reveals his sudden, overwhelming realization that his attempt to bless Esau was not just a mistake, but a direct defiance of God's plan. In this moment, the blessing he gave to Jacob is confirmed not by his own will, but by God's irrevocable purpose, highlighting that divine election is sovereign, not dependent on human preference or deception.
Just as Esau arrives with the game he'd hunted for his father, Isaac realizes with shock and terror that he has already given away the primary patriarchal blessing to Jacob, who had disguised himself. Filled with a profound and terrible fear, Isaac acknowledges the irrevocable nature of the blessing he pronounced, confirming that Jacob, despite the deception, is indeed blessed.
Just as Esau arrives with the game he'd hunted for his father, Isaac realizes with shock and terror that he has already given away the primary patriarchal blessing to Jacob, who had disguised himself. Filled with a profound and terrible fear, Isaac acknowledges the irrevocable nature of the blessing he pronounced, confirming that Jacob, despite the deception, is indeed blessed.
"Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”" — Isaac's profound trembling reveals his sudden, overwhelming realization that his attempt to bless Esau was not just a mistake, but a direct defiance of God's plan. In this moment, the blessing he gav…
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Last reviewed October 2026