Genesis 27:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Isaac was greatly shaken and asked, "Who is it that has brought me game? I ate all of it before you arrived, and I blessed him." This illustrates how a just man, faced with a challenge, delivers a painful blow by stating, “I blessed him, and he will remain blessed.” The just man spoke thus because God's wisdom directed his words, leading Esau to realize that he had lost the opportunity for blessing, both in the birthright and in the current bounty.

The father anticipates the arrival of the elder son while bestowing blessings upon the younger. The Old Testament speaks of the Jewish people literally; however, in its spiritual interpretation, it signifies the blessings for Christians. Consider this profound emblem and significant sacrament with reverence. Isaac remarks, "Thy brother came with guile"—referring to the one who is without deceit. Blessed with prophetic insight, Isaac likely understood the unfolding events and acted in a transformative manner, placing everything on the utmost pinnacle of the sacraments. Had he been unaware of his actions, he would surely have expressed anger towards his son for the deception.

Isaac, upon discovering that someone else had claimed the blessing meant for him under the identity of Esau, was filled with fear. He exclaimed, “Who is it that has deceived me and brought me... and he shall be blessed?” As a result, Isaac was unable to retrieve the blessings he had intended to give.

The spirit of the prophet was exalted in this instance. When blessing Jacob, he proclaimed, “He that blesseth thee is blessed, but he that curseth thee is cursed,” thereby concealing the blessing from the latter while affirming it upon the former, affirming, “I have blessed him, so shall he be blessed.” What transpired with Jacob serves as a foreshadowing of the divine mystery within the family of God in Christ, who, being blessed as the Son of the Father, remains blessed eternally. The Scriptures declare, “<Amazing> Isaac was horrified <by a great terror,” indicating that Isaac was astonished by events that unfolded, while also foreseeing that the Gentiles would be blessed through the younger son, should they choose to embrace the Covenant of Promise. Likewise, Jacob was born second, grasping Esau’s heel, which symbolizes that the final nation to heed the prophets would receive the birthright, ultimately becoming the first in the New Covenant.

Isaac was deeply astonished (Gen. 27:33). Scholars of the Scriptures interpret this moment as Isaac experiencing a profound revelation from God, realizing that Jacob’s actions were not driven by mere human desire but rather by divine purpose. He understood that it was not Esau, but Jacob who had been favored and chosen by God. Following this revelation, Isaac not only refrained from expressing anger towards Jacob, but he also affirmed and reinforced his blessing upon him.

Isaac trembled, and the ensuing events can be understood by recognizing his astonishment at the unexpected realization and his unwavering commitment to the blessing. This is rooted in his experience of divine inspiration at the moment he delivered the blessing. His initial thought was how a deception could possibly intertwine with the divine influence he felt. This realization stirred his anger. He then grappled with the notion that a blessing inspired by God could not contain error, leading him to reaffirm the blessing he had previously given. Such resolute conviction amid confusion reflects the soul that perceives all things through the lens of God and finds affirmation within Him.

When Isaac discovered that he had bestowed his blessing upon Jacob rather than Esau, he was taken aback, realizing he had blessed Jacob contrary to his intentions. Yet, he acknowledged that his blessing was irrevocable, expressed in the words, “I will bless him, and he shall be blessed,” as he understood that he was not merely acting as a typical father, but as a prophet inspired by the Holy Spirit. Later, he reaffirmed this blessing to Jacob when he permitted him to travel to Mesopotamia (Genesis 28:3-4). It does not seem that Isaac felt anger towards Jacob, who had deceived him; rather, he was aware of his own shortcomings and perceived his misjudgment as divine retribution for his favoritism towards Esau. Isaac was aware of Esau's unworthiness, having received a revelation from God regarding him, which had been revealed to Rebekah before his birth.