Genesis 27:24

Genesis 27:24, in plain English

Isaac asks one more time, "Are you really my son Esau?" He's still not entirely convinced, still giving room for the truth to emerge. But Jacob's lie holds.

Why it's here

Isaac's repeated question shows his lingering uncertainty, but Jacob doesn't hesitate—he confirms the lie. This is your last chance moment in the story, where a simple confession would change everything. Instead, Jacob deepens the deception with a direct lie.

Who's speaking

Isaac

Where it sits in the story

The pattern of this family shows how much damage unforgiveness and parental favoritism create. Isaac learned favoritism from his own father Abraham, who favored Isaac over Ishmael. Now Isaac favors Esau, and Rebekah is conspiring to override his choice. Nobody here is seeking God's wisdom.

The scholarly reading

Isaac, still not entirely convinced, makes one final verbal verification—asking Jacob point-blank a second time whether he is truly Esau.

Language and setting

The repetition of the question (cf. verse 21) signals Isaac's persistent uncertainty. In ancient Near Eastern literature and biblical narrative, the repetition of crucial questions often marks moments of heightened dramatic and theological significance. The Talmudic sages debated whether Isaac's repeated questioning constituted negligence on his part or reflected a deeper recognition that something momentous—and perhaps divinely orchestrated—was occurring. Some midrashic sources suggest Isaac suspected deception but felt compelled by some inner prompting to proceed.

Voice

Isaac, speaking directly to the disguised Jacob.

Significance

This is the last moment Isaac has to correct course before uttering an irreversible blessing. His hesitation—then resolution—sets in motion the consequences that will define Israel's self-understanding.

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.

24Again he asked, “Are you really my son Esau?”

25“Serve me,” said Isaac, “and let me eat some of my son’s game, so that I may bless you.”

26Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come near and kiss me, my son.”

Read all of Genesis 27 — A blind father. A hairy disguise. A stolen birthright. The blessing can't be undone — and neither can the betrayal.