Devine Scripture

Genesis 27:22

What does Genesis 27:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 27:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 27:22 means

Jacob approaches, and Isaac’s physical examination confirms his initial auditory suspicion: "The voice is Jacob's voice." However, the crucial detail is that the hands feel like Esau's, thanks to the goatskins Rebekah applied. This creates a sensory paradox for Isaac, where his hearing contradicts his sense of touch, setting up his internal conflict and confusion, leaving him torn between two conflicting pieces of evidence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jacob went near his father Isaac: and he put his hands on him; and he said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jacob cometh nigh unto Isaac his father, and he feeleth him, and saith, `The voice <FI>is<Fi> the voice of Jacob, and the hands hands of Esau.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob; but the hands, are the hands of Esau.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jacob drew near to Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

Context

This verse describes the immediate consequence of Isaac's command to feel Jacob, confirming both his auditory suspicion and the effectiveness of the tactile disguise. It presents the pivotal sensory conflict for Isaac. This unresolved tension immediately precedes Isaac's crucial decision, highlighting the convincing nature of the physical deception despite the voice anomaly.

v.21And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

v.22This passage

v.23And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.

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