King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:15 Mean?

Genesis 27:15 in the King James Version says “And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her yo...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: goodly: Heb. desirable”

Genesis 27:15 · KJV

Context

13

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

14

And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

15

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: goodly: Heb. desirable

16

And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

17

And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put th... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַתִּקַּ֣ח1 of 16

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

רִ֠בְקָה2 of 16

“And Rebekah”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

אֶת3 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּגְדֵ֨י4 of 16

“raiment”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

עֵשָׂ֜ו5 of 16

“Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

בְּנָ֥הּ6 of 16

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַגָּדֹל֙7 of 16

“of her eldest”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

הַֽחֲמֻדֹ֔ת8 of 16

“goodly”

H2532

delight

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתָּ֖הּ10 of 16
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בַּבָּ֑יִת11 of 16

“which were with her in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ12 of 16

“and put them upon”

H3847

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

אֶֽת13 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יַעֲקֹ֖ב14 of 16

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בְּנָ֥הּ15 of 16

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַקָּטָֽן׃16 of 16

“her younger”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 27:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 27:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 27:27Luke 20:46Luke 15:22

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