Genesis 27:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe the caution Jacob displays and the humility reflected in his response. He expressed to his mother, "Esau, my brother, is rough, while I am smooth. It could be that my father may touch me, and I would be seen as a deceiver, incurring a curse instead of a blessing." In this instance, this son exhibited both a noble spirit and deep respect for his father. He voiced his concern, fearing that his efforts might result in the opposite outcome, potentially leading him to contradict his father's wishes and receive a curse rather than a blessing.

Jacob's prudence is unmistakably evident in this instance, as he is aware of the fate that befell Ham, who, upon witnessing Noah's nakedness, mocked his father and brought a curse upon himself. Unlike Ham, who lacked discretion and was perceived as tempting his father, Jacob wisely navigates the situation. It is indeed accurate that Jacob remarked, "Esau, my brother, is a hairy man," implying a nature laden with sin, whereas he claimed, "but I am a smooth man," accentuating the purity and sinlessness of the Lord's incarnate form. In another translation, we see how profoundly James illustrated his devotion. Jacob's declaration remains true; Esau, my brother, is a man with hair, denoting his sinful state, while I am a smooth man, thereby highlighting the integrity and sinlessness of Christ's flesh.

Jacob did not immediately concur with his mother's scheme. He expressed concern to her, noting that Esau was ‘hairy,’ having been born covered in hair (Genesis 25:25). Jacob justifiably feared that if he approached his father impersonating Esau, the blind Isaac would easily detect the ruse through touch, and instead of receiving a blessing, he might invoke a curse upon the deceiver. However, Rebekah reassured Jacob, stating, ‘Your obligation is upon me,’ because she was confident that there would be no consequence to her plan, and that God’s divine purpose of the younger brother being favored over the elder would come to pass. Her faith proved justified, as the father mistook Jacob for Esau and bestowed a blessing upon him.