Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac told his son Esau.Rebekah's act of listening is significant in the narrative of Genesis. Her attentiveness sets the stage for the unfolding events. In the cultural context of the time, women often played crucial roles within the family, and Rebekah's actions demonstrate her influence. This moment also highlights the family dynamics and favoritism present, as Rebekah favored Jacob while Isaac favored Esau. The act of listening can be seen as a catalyst for the fulfillment of the prophecy given to Rebekah in
Genesis 25:23, where God told her that the older would serve the younger. This moment foreshadows the deception that will follow, aligning with the theme of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises despite human actions.
So when Esau went into the field to hunt game and bring it back,
Esau's departure to hunt game is a reflection of his character and lifestyle. Known as a skillful hunter, Esau's actions are consistent with his identity and the blessing Isaac intended to give him, which was associated with the abundance of the earth and the dew of heaven (Genesis 27:28). The field represents a place of labor and provision, but also a setting where Esau is vulnerable to losing his blessing. This moment connects to the earlier narrative inGenesis 25:29-34, where Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal, emphasizing his impulsive nature and lack of foresight. The act of hunting also ties into the broader biblical theme of provision and reliance on God, contrasting with Jacob's reliance on cunning and strategy.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
RebekahThe wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. In
Genesis 27:5, she overhears Isaac speaking to Esau and devises a plan to secure the blessing for Jacob.
2.
IsaacThe patriarch and father of Esau and Jacob. He intends to bless Esau, his firstborn, as per the cultural norm.
3.
EsauThe elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, known for his skills as a hunter. He is favored by Isaac and is the intended recipient of the blessing.
4.
JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, who is favored by Rebekah. He becomes the central figure in Rebekah's plan to receive the blessing.
5.
The TentThe setting where Rebekah overhears Isaac's conversation with Esau, leading to the unfolding of her plan.
Teaching Points
The Role of Deception in God's PlanWhile Rebekah's actions involve deception, God's purposes are ultimately fulfilled. This challenges us to consider how God can work through human imperfections.
The Importance of Listening to GodRebekah's actions are influenced by the prophecy she received. This highlights the importance of being attentive to God's voice and promises in our lives.
Family Dynamics and FavoritismThe favoritism shown by Isaac and Rebekah towards their sons leads to conflict. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of favoritism within families.
Trusting in God's SovereigntyDespite human schemes, God's plan prevails. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem contrary to His promises.
The Consequences of Impulsive DecisionsEsau's earlier decision to sell his birthright for a meal (Genesis 25) sets the stage for the events in
Genesis 27. This teaches the importance of considering long-term consequences over immediate gratification.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 27:5?
2.How does Rebekah's action in Genesis 27:5 reflect on family dynamics today?
3.What can we learn from Rebekah's eavesdropping about trust within families?
4.How does Genesis 27:5 connect to the theme of deception in the Bible?
5.How should Christians respond when witnessing deceitful plans like in Genesis 27:5?
6.What steps can we take to ensure honesty in our family relationships?
7.Why did Rebekah deceive Isaac in Genesis 27:5?
8.How does Genesis 27:5 reflect on family dynamics and favoritism?
9.What does Genesis 27:5 reveal about Rebekah's character and intentions?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 27?
11.Why would a just God honor a blessing obtained through deliberate deception (Genesis 27:28–29)?
12.Does this account conflict with other biblical passages that condemn lying yet here seem to permit it (Genesis 27:6-17)?
13.Why would God's chosen lineage pass through someone who blatantly deceived his father (Genesis 27:35-36)?
14.How could Isaac be so easily deceived by Jacob's voice and skin when blessing him (Genesis 27:21-22)?What Does Genesis 27:5 Mean
Rebekah was listening“Now Rebekah was listening…” (Genesis 27:5a)
• Rebekah is not merely within earshot; she is intentionally attentive. She knows what God foretold inGenesis 25:23—that the older will serve the younger—so she listens for opportunities to align circumstances with that promise.
• Her attentiveness contrasts with Isaac’s focus on a meal (Genesis 27:4; cf.Philippians 3:19, appetite governing decisions).
• Scripture repeatedly spotlights mothers who observe and ponder (e.g.,Exodus 2:3–4;Luke 2:19), underscoring that God often works through quiet, watchful faith.
What Isaac told his son Esau“…to what Isaac told his son Esau.” (Genesis 27:5b)
• Isaac intends to pass the patriarchal blessing to Esau, despite knowing the oracle about Jacob (Genesis 25:28;Romans 9:10–12).
• His partiality for Esau (“because he had a taste for wild game”) reveals how personal preference can cloud spiritual discernment (James 2:1).
• By overhearing Isaac’s plan, Rebekah becomes aware that decisive action is needed if Jacob is to receive the covenant blessing (Genesis 27:10, 28–29).
Esau went into the field“So when Esau went into the field…” (Genesis 27:5c)
• Esau’s immediate obedience to hunt underscores his skill and impulsive nature (Genesis 25:27, 34).
• The “field” often symbolizes a place of earthly endeavor (Matthew 13:38). Esau’s comfort there underlines his orientation to the temporal, not the spiritual (Hebrews 12:16).
• His absence creates a providential window for Rebekah and Jacob, illustrating how God’s purposes advance even through ordinary routines (Proverbs 16:9).
To hunt game and bring it back“…to hunt game and bring it back,” (Genesis 27:5d)
• Isaac’s requirement for savory meat ties blessing to a physical appetite, a subtle warning about allowing fleshly cravings to steer spiritual decisions (1 John 2:16).
• Esau’s hunting will take time, granting Rebekah opportunity to act swiftly (Genesis 27:9–13).
• The phrase foreshadows the contrast between Esau’s effort in the field and Jacob’s reliance on promise and strategy (Genesis 27:36), echoing the broader biblical theme that blessing is secured by faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9).
summaryGenesis 27:5 records the pivotal moment when Rebekah overhears Isaac’s intention to bless Esau. Her attentive listening, Isaac’s favoritism, Esau’s departure, and the hunt itself together open the door for God’s foretold plan—that Jacob, not Esau, would inherit the covenant promise—to unfold. The verse reminds us that God’s sovereignty works through everyday actions and choices, urging believers to stay spiritually alert, guard against flesh-driven decisions, and trust that His purposes will stand.
(5)
Rebekah heard.--She was possibly present when Isaac gave the order, and he may even have wished her to know his determination to give the blessing to his favourite son. But the words filled her with dismay. She had, no doubt, treasured the prophecy of Jacob's ultimate superiority, and now it seemed as if the father would reverse it. Had her faith been pure and exalted, she would have known that God would fulfil His word without her help; but all alike act from unworthy motives, and all have their meed of punishment. But here the fault began with Isaac, and Rebekah probably considered that she was preventing a grievous wrong.
Verse 5. -
And Rebekah (who, though younger than Isaac, must also have been old)
heard when Isaac spake - literally, in
the speaking of Isaac;
בְּ with the inf. forming a periphrasis for the gerund, and being commonly rendered by
when (Genesis 14:30; 31:18), the subordinated noun being changed in translation into the subject of the sentence (
vide Ewald, 'Hebrews Synt.,' § 304) - to Esau his son (to which the "her son" of ver. 6 stands in contrast).
And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, - literally,
to hunt hunting. (
vide on ver. 3)
and to bring it -
i.
e. "
the savory meat" or "
delicious food," as directed (ver. 4).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Now Rebekahוְרִבְקָ֣ה(wə·riḇ·qāh)Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259:Rebekah -- wife of Isaacwas listeningשֹׁמַ֔עַת(šō·ma·‘aṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlyto what Isaacיִצְחָ֔ק(yiṣ·ḥāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327:Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarahtoldבְּדַבֵּ֣ר(bə·ḏab·bêr)Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduehis sonבְּנ֑וֹ(bə·nōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A sonEsau.עֵשָׂ֖ו(‘ê·śāw)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215:Esau -- oldest son of IsaacSo when Esauעֵשָׂו֙(‘ê·śāw)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215:Esau -- oldest son of Isaacwentוַיֵּ֤לֶךְ(way·yê·leḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980:To go, come, walkinto the fieldהַשָּׂדֶ֔ה(haś·śā·ḏeh)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704:Field, landto huntלָצ֥וּד(lā·ṣūḏ)Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6679:To lie alongside, to catch an animal, to victualgameצַ֖יִד(ṣa·yiḏ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6718:The chase, game, lunch[and] bring [it back],לְהָבִֽיא׃(lə·hā·ḇî)Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, go
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OT Law: Genesis 27:5 Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau (Gen. Ge Gn) 
