MPV Commentary

1. When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim, he prepared to make his last will, anticipating death to be near. This act held great importance, especially as it included conveying the patriarchal blessing through a prophetic spirit.

4. He instructed Jacob to prepare savory meat for him, likely to revive and strengthen him for the task ahead. In ancient times, eating and drinking were essential parts of religious occasions, so Isaac couldn't confer the blessing until he had eaten the prepared meal.

5. Isaac wanted his soul to bless Jacob, but it's difficult to imagine him unaware of God's purpose (compare Genesis 25:23). Despite this, natural affection and age-related infirmity led him to bestow the birthright honors on his elder son, possibly unaware of Esau's actions (Genesis 25:34).

6-10. Rebekah spoke to Jacob, valuing the blessing as invaluable and knowing God intended it for the younger son (Genesis 25:23). In her anxiety to secure the blessing for the right person – one who cared about religion – she acted in sincerity of faith but employed unenlightened zeal, using a flawed principle that the end would justify the means.

11. Jacob expressed his concerns, saying Esau was a hairy man, highlighting that his scruples were based on the risk and consequences of deception rather than the evil of the act itself.

13-17. Rebekah reassured Jacob, telling him to place the curse on her if anything went wrong. Soothed by his mother's words, preparations were hastily made for carrying out their plan. They included a kid's flesh cooked into a savory dish, goat's skin with soft hair bound around Jacob's hands and neck, and the long white robe of the firstborn.

18-27. Jacob entered his father's bedchamber to execute the scheme planned by Rebekah. The deliberate falsehoods and daring profanity he employed are painful to consider. Despite a minor oversight in the disguise, it successfully misled Isaac, who was filled with high satisfaction and delight as he gave his paternal embrace.

27. Isaac exclaimed that Jacob's smell was like that of a field, likely due to the aromatic odors from Syrian fields and meadows often imparting strong fragrances to people and their clothes, as observed by many travelers.