King James Version

What Does Genesis 27:9 Mean?

Genesis 27:9 in the King James Version says “Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy fath...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:”

Genesis 27:9 · KJV

Context

7

Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

8

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

9

Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

10

And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

11

And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

Read Genesis 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savou... 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 theological truths about Stolen Blessing emerge from this passage?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
לֶךְ1 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נָא֙2 of 17
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶל3 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַצֹּ֔אן4 of 17

“now to the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

וְקַֽח5 of 17

“and fetch”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לִ֣י6 of 17
H0
מִשָּׁ֗ם7 of 17
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

שְׁנֵ֛י8 of 17

“me from thence two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

גְּדָיֵ֥י9 of 17

“kids”

H1423

a young goat (from browsing)

עִזִּ֖ים10 of 17

“of the goats”

H5795

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

טֹבִ֑ים11 of 17

“good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂ֨ה12 of 17

“and I will make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֹתָ֧ם13 of 17
H853

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

מַטְעַמִּ֛ים14 of 17

“them savoury meat”

H4303

a delicacy

לְאָבִ֖יךָ15 of 17

“for thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 17
H834

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

אָהֵֽב׃17 of 17

“such as he loveth”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

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 27:9 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 27:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 13:151 Samuel 16:20

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 27 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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