Genesis 27:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe here the profound wisdom of Rebekah, accompanied by her love. As the Scripture recounts, she dressed Jacob in the garments of Esau and adorned him with animal skins to ensure that the ruse would be effective. She provided him with food and bread to take to his father, preparing him for the encounter. Yet it is essential to recognize that this was also the handiwork of divine grace. When we fulfill our responsibilities, we find ourselves receiving God's abundant assistance. To prevent us from becoming complacent or idle, God desires that we offer something of ourselves, and in response, He reveals His support. Not all provisions originate from above; we too must play a part. God does not expect everything from us, fully aware of our frailty; instead, in His compassion, He wishes to have a basis for demonstrating His generosity, encouraging us to strive to the best of our ability.

Concerning this passage, Jewish tradition holds that the firstborn sons were assigned priestly responsibilities and donned sacred attire. Through their garments, they presented offerings to the Lord, even prior to Aaron being appointed to the priesthood.

Jacob acquired the garment of his brother, for he excelled in wisdom in his later years; the younger sibling cast off the elder’s garment, as he radiated the honor of faith. Rebekah presented this garment as a representation of the Church, bestowing upon her younger son the garments of the Old Covenant - the prophetic and priestly attire, along with those of King David and the kings Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah - to the Christian community, who understand how to utilize the gift they have received, while the Jewish people retained it unutilized, lacking awareness of their own adornments. This garment lay in obscurity, overlooked and forgotten, concealed by the deep shadows of wickedness, unable to expand in the unfeeling hearts of the people.

The act of clothing him signifies that the Word was destined to assume human nature, while the goat skins placed on his shoulders symbolize that he bore the weight of our transgressions by extending his hands upon the cross. This aligns with the prophecy of Isaiah, who stated, “He took our sins and bore our diseases” (Isaiah 53:4). Similarly, Jacob being dressed in garments reflects the Word’s forthcoming incarnation. The covering of his hands with the skins of goats illustrates how the Word removed the sins of all humanity through his outstretched hands on the cross, as emphasized by Isaiah: He took away our sins and bore our diseases (Isaiah 53:4; cf. LXX).

What does it signify that he dons the attire of his elder brother, if not that he has adorned himself with righteous deeds aligned with the commandments of the Holy Scriptures entrusted to the elder people? Meanwhile, the lesser at home utilizes what the elder has left behind upon departing; for within the heart of the Gentile nation resides those commandments that the Jewish nation failed to embrace, being focused solely on the written word.

Opulent attire. This term derives from the Hebrew meaning coveted. Jerome, referencing the Rabbis, suggested that it represented a sacred garment. While Esau strives for a means to secure his father's blessing, Jacob, guided by his mother—who had received divine insight into their fates—wears the robe of the firstborn to claim it preemptively. While physical Israel believes it can achieve God's earthly favor through external adherence to the Law, spiritual Israel, directed by Grace, dons the garment of righteousness and worth of the firstborn of all creation, receiving spiritual blessings that transcend the heavens in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

Jacob did not immediately acquiesce to his mother’s scheme. He pointed out that Esau was "hairy," meaning he was covered in hair as he was born (Genesis 25:25). Jacob understood the risk; if he approached their blind father Isaac claiming to be Esau, Isaac would likely discern the deception through touch, and rather than blessing him, he would unleash a curse upon the trickster. However, Rebekah insisted to Jacob, “Your oath is upon me,” confident there would be no true oath, as it was determined by God that the younger son would inherit the blessings meant for the elder. Her faith was not misplaced; Isaac ultimately mistook Jacob for Esau and bestowed upon him the blessing.