VOOZH about

URL: https://biblehub.com/genesis/27-22.htm

⇱ Genesis 27:22 So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau."

Bible > Genesis > Chapter 27 > Verse 22
◄ Genesis 27:22 ►
New International Version
Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

New Living Translation
So Jacob went closer to his father, and Isaac touched him. “The voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are Esau’s,” Isaac said.

English Standard Version
So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Berean Standard Bible
So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

King James Bible
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

New King James Version
So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

New American Standard Bible
So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, and he touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

NASB 1995
So Jacob came close to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

NASB 1977
So Jacob came close to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So Jacob came near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Amplified Bible
So Jacob approached Isaac, and his father touched him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Christian Standard Bible
So Jacob came closer to his father Isaac. When he touched him, he said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Jacob came closer to his father Isaac. When he touched him, he said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

American Standard Version
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

Contemporary English Version
Jacob went closer. His father touched him and said, "You sound like Jacob, but your hands feel hairy like Esau's."

English Revised Version
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So Jacob went over to his father. Isaac felt [his skin]. "The voice is Jacob's," he said, "but the hands are Esau's."

Good News Translation
Jacob moved closer to his father, who felt him and said, "Your voice sounds like Jacob's voice, but your arms feel like Esau's arms."

International Standard Version
So Jacob approached his father, who felt him and said, "It's Jacob's voice, but Esau's hands."

NET Bible
So Jacob went over to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's, but the hands are Esau's."

New Heart English Bible
Jacob went near to Isaac his father. He felt him, and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jacob went near to Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

World English Bible
Jacob went near to Isaac his father. He felt him, and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Jacob comes near to his father Isaac, and he feels him, and says, “The voice [is] the voice of Jacob, and the hands hands of Esau.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jacob cometh nigh unto Isaac his father, and he feeleth him, and saith, 'The voice is the voice of Jacob, and the hands hands of Esau.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jacob will come near to Isaak his father, and he will feel him, and he will say, The voice, the voice of Jacob; and the hands, the hands of Esau.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He came near to his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob; but the hands are the hands of Esau.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He approached his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: “The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob. But the hands are the hands of Esau.”

New American Bible
So Jacob moved up closer to his father. When Isaac felt him, he said, “Although the voice is Jacob’s, the hands are Esau’s.”

New Revised Standard Version
So Jacob went up to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Jacob drew near to Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are Esau's.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yaquuv came to Isaaq his father and he felt him and he said, “The voice of Yaquuv and the feel of the hands of Esau.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said: 'The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob drew night to his father Isaac, and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Isaac Blesses Jacob
…21Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?” 22So Jacob came close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23Isaac did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him.…

Cross References
Genesis 25:23
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:27-28
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. / Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25:29-34
One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. / He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.) / “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied. ...

Genesis 26:34-35
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 28:1-4
So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded. / “Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother. / May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. ...

Genesis 29:25
When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?”

Genesis 37:31-33
Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. / They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” / His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!”

Exodus 4:11
And the LORD said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Or who makes the mute or the deaf, the sighted or the blind? Is it not I, the LORD?

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

1 Samuel 24:20
Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands.

2 Samuel 14:25
Now there was not a man in all Israel as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw.

Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 26:24-26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.


Close Drew Esau Feeleth Felt Hands Isaac Jacob Jacob's Nigh Touched Voice
Jump to Next
Close Drew Esau Feeleth Felt Hands Isaac Jacob Jacob's Nigh Touched Voice
Genesis 27
1. Isaac sends Esau for venison.
6. Rebekah instructs Jacob to obtain the blessing.
14. Jacob, feigning to be Esau, obtains it.
30. Esau brings venison.
33. Isaac trembles.
34. Esau complains, and by importunity obtains a blessing.
41. He threatens Jacob's life.
42. Rebekah disappoints him, by sending Jacob away.














So Jacob came close to his father Isaac
Jacob's approach to Isaac is significant in the context of the deception he is about to commit. This act of coming close symbolizes both physical proximity and the moral distance Jacob is willing to traverse to obtain the blessing. In biblical narratives, physical closeness often precedes significant events or revelations, as seen when God draws near to His people. The act of drawing near can also be seen as a type of Christ, who draws near to humanity to fulfill His mission.

who touched him
Isaac's reliance on touch rather than sight is due to his old age and failing eyesight, which is mentioned earlier in the chapter. This reliance on touch is a critical element in the deception, as Jacob and Rebekah exploit Isaac's sensory limitations. The act of touching is also a recurring biblical theme, often associated with blessing, healing, or impartation, as seen in the laying on of hands in the New Testament.

and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob,
Isaac's discernment through hearing highlights the tension between appearance and reality. The voice of Jacob represents his true identity, which contrasts with the deception he is enacting. This moment foreshadows the future struggles Jacob will face due to his deceit, as well as the importance of truth and integrity in relationships. The voice also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's voice guiding His people, as seen in the prophets and ultimately in Jesus, the Word made flesh.

but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
The hands of Esau, covered with goat skins, symbolize the successful deception of Isaac. This physical disguise represents the lengths to which Jacob and Rebekah go to secure the blessing. The hands, often associated with action and work, contrast with the voice, which is linked to identity and truth. This duality reflects the inner conflict within Jacob and foreshadows his later transformation after wrestling with God. The hands also connect to the biblical theme of blessing, as Esau's hands were those of a skilled hunter, and Jacob's hands would later become those of a patriarch.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob
The younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, who is attempting to deceive his father into giving him the blessing meant for his brother Esau.

2. Isaac
The aging and blind patriarch, father of Esau and Jacob, who is preparing to bestow his blessing upon his firstborn son.

3. Esau
The elder son of Isaac, known for his hunting skills and rugged nature, who is the rightful recipient of Isaac's blessing.

4. Rebekah
The mother of Jacob and Esau, who orchestrates the deception to ensure Jacob receives the blessing.

5. The Tent
The setting of this event, where Isaac resides and where the blessing is to be given.
Teaching Points
The Deceptive Nature of Sin
Jacob's actions remind us of the deceitfulness of sin. We must be vigilant and honest in our dealings, understanding that deception can lead to long-term consequences.

The Importance of Discernment
Isaac's confusion between the voice and the hands highlights the need for spiritual discernment. We should seek God's wisdom to discern truth from falsehood in our lives.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
Despite human deception, God's purposes prevail. This encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when circumstances seem contrary to His promises.

Family Dynamics and Favoritism
The favoritism shown by Isaac and Rebekah towards their sons serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for family discord. We should strive for fairness and love in our family relationships.

The Power of Words and Blessings
The significance of Isaac's blessing underscores the power of our words. We should use our words to bless and build up others, recognizing their lasting impact.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 27:22?

2. How does Genesis 27:22 illustrate the consequences of deceit in family relationships?

3. What can we learn about discernment from Isaac's inability to recognize Jacob?

4. How does Jacob's deception in Genesis 27:22 connect to later biblical events?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Genesis 27:22 to our daily honesty?

6. What role does trust play in family dynamics, as seen in Genesis 27:22?

7. How does Genesis 27:22 challenge the concept of divine justice and fairness?

8. Why does God allow deception to succeed in Genesis 27:22?

9. What does Genesis 27:22 reveal about the nature of blessings in biblical times?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 27?

11. What is the significance of Jacob and Esau's story?

12. How could Isaac be so easily deceived by Jacob’s voice and skin when blessing him (Genesis 27:21–22)?

13. Why would God's chosen lineage pass through someone who blatantly deceived his father (Genesis 27:35-36)?

14. Does this account conflict with other biblical passages that condemn lying yet here seem to permit it (Genesis 27:6-17)?
What Does Genesis 27:22 Mean
So Jacob came close

• Jacob steps toward Isaac in deliberate obedience to Rebekah’s scheme (Genesis 27:18–19).

• The scene shows how deception often requires physical proximity; when the heart is set on sin, distance feels unsafe (compare James 1:14–15).

• Yet in God’s providence even this wrongful approach will fit into His larger promise that “the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).

His father Isaac, who touched him

• Isaac, blinded by age (Genesis 27:1), relies on touch to discern what his eyes can no longer confirm.

• This moment highlights the frailty of human senses and judgment; like Isaac, we often “walk by sight” even when the sight is dim (contrast 2 Corinthians 5:7).

• Touch becomes the decisive test, echoing Isaac’s earlier doubt: “What if my father touches me?” (Genesis 27:12).

• God allows Isaac’s limited perception to remain confused, ensuring the blessing falls on Jacob as foretold.

The voice is the voice of Jacob

• Isaac hears the younger son’s tone, vocabulary, and cadence—features that betray identity despite every outward disguise.

• Scripture frequently presents voice as a heart-reveal (Luke 6:45; John 7:46). What comes out of the mouth exposes the person behind the mask.

• Even so, Isaac suppresses what his ears tell him, demonstrating how easily we silence truth when other senses—or desires—push a different narrative (Proverbs 14:12).

But the hands are the hands of Esau

• Goat-skin coverings (Genesis 27:16) mimic Esau’s rough exterior, persuading Isaac that he is touching his firstborn.

• The contrast between voice and hands pictures the divided life: outward works can appear convincing while the inner man remains unchanged (Matthew 23:27–28; Titus 1:16).

• God lets the tactile evidence win because His sovereign plan is not threatened by human deception; He weaves even sin into redemption history (Romans 8:28).

summary

Genesis 27:22 captures the tension between appearance and reality. Isaac’s senses clash—ears hear Jacob, hands feel Esau—showing the limits of human discernment. Yet behind the confusion stands the unwavering purpose of God: the covenant blessing must pass to Jacob. The verse warns us against trusting surface indicators while it reassures us that God’s promises stand firm, even when fulfilled through flawed people and imperfect circumstances.

Verses 22, 23. - And Jacob (with a boldness worthy of a better cause) went near unto Isaac his father; and he (i.e. Isaac) felt him (i.e. Jacob), and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but (literally, and) the hands are the hands of Esau. And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him. Isaac must either have forgotten the heavenly oracle which announced the destinies of his sons at their birth, and distinctly accorded the precedence to Jacob, or he must not have attached the same importance to it as Rebekah, or he may have thought that it did not affect the transmission of the covenant blessing, or that it did not concern his sons no much as their descendants. It is hard to credit that Isaac either did not believe in the Divine announcement which had indicated Jacob as the heir of the promise, or that, believing it, he deliberately allowed paternal partiality to interfere with, and even endeavor to reverse, the will of Heaven.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Jacob
יַעֲקֹ֛ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

came close
וַיִּגַּ֧שׁ (way·yig·gaš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his father
אָבִ֖יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

Isaac,
יִצְחָ֥ק (yiṣ·ḥāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327: Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarah

who touched him
וַיְמֻשֵּׁ֑הוּ (way·muš·šê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4959: To feel of, to grope

and said,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The voice
הַקֹּל֙ (haq·qōl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

is the voice
ק֣וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of Jacob,
יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

but the hands
וְהַיָּדַ֖יִם (wə·hay·yā·ḏa·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - fd
Strong's 3027: A hand

are the hands
יְדֵ֥י (yə·ḏê)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 3027: A hand

of Esau.”
עֵשָֽׂו׃ (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac


Links
Genesis 27:22 NIV
Genesis 27:22 NLT
Genesis 27:22 ESV
Genesis 27:22 NASB
Genesis 27:22 KJV

Genesis 27:22 BibleApps.com
Genesis 27:22 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 27:22 Chinese Bible
Genesis 27:22 French Bible
Genesis 27:22 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 27:22 Jacob went near to Isaac his father (Gen. Ge Gn)