Genesis 27:33 Meaning and Explanation
“And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Isaac realizes he has been deceived and trembles with the realization that he has already blessed the wrong son.
The Context of Genesis 27:33
Isaac discovers the deception and realizes he has blessed Jacob instead of Esau.
What Does Genesis 27:33 Mean?
Isaac's trembling—'trembled very exceedingly'—shows the magnitude of his emotional response. He understands in an instant that he has been deceived, that he blessed someone he thought was Esau but was in fact Jacob. The deception has been complete and successful.
Yet Isaac does not revoke the blessing. Instead, he acknowledges the reality with the statement 'yea, and he shall be blessed.' In the biblical tradition, a blessing once spoken cannot be undone, even if given in error. Isaac accepts the irrevocable nature of what he has pronounced.
Genesis 27:33 in the Original Language
charad (חָרַד), 'trembled' — to shake, tremble, shudder.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 27:33
What does Genesis 27:33 mean?
Isaac realizes he has been deceived and trembles with the realization that he has already blessed the wrong son.
What is the context of Genesis 27:33?
Isaac discovers the deception and realizes he has blessed Jacob instead of Esau.