Genesis 27:15
New International Version
Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.

New Living Translation
Then she took Esau’s favorite clothes, which were there in the house, and gave them to her younger son, Jacob.

English Standard Version
Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

Berean Standard Bible
And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob.

King James Bible
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

New King James Version
Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

New American Standard Bible
Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.

NASB 1995
Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

NASB 1977
Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and she put them on Jacob her younger son.

Amplified Bible
Then Rebekah took her elder son Esau’s best clothes, which were with her in her house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Rebekah took the best clothes of her older son Esau, which were in the house, and had her younger son Jacob wear them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Rebekah took the best clothes of her older son Esau, which were in the house, and had her younger son Jacob wear them.

American Standard Version
And Rebekah took the goodly garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son;

Contemporary English Version
Then she took Esau's best clothes and put them on Jacob.

English Revised Version
And Rebekah took the goodly raiment of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Rebekah took her older son Esau's good clothes, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.

Good News Translation
Then she took Esau's best clothes, which she kept in the house, and put them on Jacob.

International Standard Version
Then Rebekah took some garments that belonged to her elder son Esau—the best ones available—and put them on her younger son Jacob.

Majority Standard Bible
And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob.

NET Bible
Then Rebekah took her older son Esau's best clothes, which she had with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob.

New Heart English Bible
Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which was with her in the house, and put it upon Jacob her younger son:

World English Bible
Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Rebekah takes the desirable garments of Esau her older son, which [are] with her in the house, and puts them on Jacob her younger son;

Young's Literal Translation
and Rebekah taketh the desirable garments of Esau her elder son, which are with her in the house, and doth put on Jacob her younger son;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Rebekah will take desirable covering of Esau her son, the great, which was with her in the house, and will put upon Jacob her son, the small.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she put on him very good garments of Esau, which she had at home with her:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she clothed him with the very fine garments of Esau, which she had at home with her.

New American Bible
Rebekah then took the best clothes of her older son Esau that she had in the house, and gave them to her younger son Jacob to wear;

New Revised Standard Version
Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Rebekah took the best clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Raphqa took a choice garment of Esau her elder son that she had with her in the house and she clothed Yaquuv her younger son:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Rebekah took the choicest garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Rebecca having taken the fine raiment of her elder son Esau which was with her in the house, put it on Jacob her younger son.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob's Deception
14So Jacob went and got two goats and brought them to his mother, who made the tasty food his father loved. 15And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob. 16She also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.…

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 25:28
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 28:5
So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

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 30:37-43
Jacob, however, took fresh branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees, and peeled the bark, exposing the white inner wood of the branches. / Then he set the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of the flocks coming in to drink. So when the flocks were in heat and came to drink, / they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted. ...

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 28:2-4
Make holy garments for your brother Aaron, to give him glory and splendor. / You are to instruct all the skilled craftsmen, whom I have filled with a spirit of wisdom, to make garments for Aaron’s consecration, so that he may serve Me as priest. / These are the garments that they shall make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests.

Leviticus 8:7-9
He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him. / Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. / Moses also put the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the holy diadem, on the front of the turban, as the LORD had commanded him.

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 Kings 1:5-10
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ...

2 Kings 5:26-27
But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? / Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.

Psalm 73:6
Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.

Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.


Treasury of Scripture

And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her oldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son:

goodly raiment.

Genesis 27:27
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Genesis 28:2-4
Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother…

Jump to Previous
Best Choicest Clothes Costly Desirable Elder Eldest Esau Fair Garments Good Goodly House Jacob Older Oldest Ones Raiment Rebekah Robes Younger
Jump to Next
Best Choicest Clothes Costly Desirable Elder Eldest Esau Fair Garments Good Goodly House Jacob Older Oldest Ones Raiment Rebekah Robes Younger
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.














And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house
Rebekah's actions here are pivotal in the narrative of Jacob and Esau. The "finest clothes" likely refer to garments reserved for special occasions, possibly indicating Esau's status as the firstborn. In ancient Near Eastern culture, clothing often symbolized identity and status. Rebekah's choice to use these specific garments underscores the gravity of her deception. This act of taking Esau's clothes is a physical manifestation of the transfer of blessing and birthright, which Jacob had previously acquired through Esau's impulsive decision (Genesis 25:29-34).

that belonged to her older son Esau,
Esau, as the firstborn, held a special place in the family hierarchy, which included the birthright and the blessing from his father, Isaac. The birthright was not just a double portion of the inheritance but also carried spiritual significance, including leadership of the family and the covenantal promises given to Abraham. The mention of Esau as the "older son" highlights the tension between the brothers and the subversion of the expected order, a recurring theme in biblical narratives (e.g., Cain and Abel, Ishmael and Isaac).

and she put them on her younger son Jacob.
Rebekah's decision to dress Jacob in Esau's clothes is a deliberate act of deception aimed at securing Isaac's blessing for Jacob. This act is laden with irony and foreshadows the future deception Jacob himself will face with Laban. The younger son receiving the blessing over the older is a motif seen throughout Scripture, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the theme that His purposes often defy human expectations (e.g., Joseph over his brothers, David over his brothers). Jacob's name, meaning "supplanter" or "heel-grabber," is fitting in this context, as he is literally taking Esau's place. This event also prefigures the concept of substitutionary atonement, where one takes the place of another, a theme ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Rebekah
The wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. She plays a pivotal role in the deception of Isaac to secure the blessing for Jacob.

2. Esau
The elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, known for his skill as a hunter. He is the rightful heir to Isaac's blessing as the firstborn.

3. Jacob
The younger son of Isaac and Rebekah. He is characterized by his cunning nature and is the recipient of the blessing through deception.

4. Isaac
The father of Esau and Jacob, who is deceived into blessing Jacob instead of Esau due to his failing eyesight.

5. The House
The setting of the event where Rebekah orchestrates the deception by dressing Jacob in Esau's clothes.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Deception
Rebekah's and Jacob's actions remind us that deceit can lead to long-term family strife and personal consequences, as seen in the ensuing conflict between Esau and Jacob.

God's Sovereignty and Human Actions
While human actions can be flawed, God's sovereign plan prevails. This account encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when circumstances seem contrary.

The Importance of Integrity
Jacob's deception highlights the importance of integrity and honesty in our dealings. Believers are called to reflect Christ's character in all aspects of life.

Parental Influence
Rebekah's role in the deception shows the significant influence parents have on their children. It serves as a reminder for parents to guide their children in truth and righteousness.

The Role of Clothing in Identity
The use of Esau's clothes to deceive Isaac symbolizes how outward appearances can be misleading. This teaches us to look beyond appearances and seek truth in character and actions.(15) Goodly raiment.--It has been supposed that the elder son held a sort of priestly office in the household, and as Isaac's sight was growing dim, that Esau ministered for him at sacrifices. Evidently the clothing was something special, and such as was peculiar to Esau: for ordinary raiment, however handsome, would not have been kept in the mother's tent, but in that of Esau or of one of his wives.

Verse 15. - And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, - literally, the robes of Esau her son the elder - the desirable, i.e. the handsome ones. The בֶּגֶד was an outer garment worn by the Oriental (Genesis 39:12, 13, 15; Genesis 41:42), - στολὴ, LXX., - and was often made of beautiful and costly materials (cf. 1 Kings 22:10). That the clothes mentioned as belonging to Esau were sacerdotal robes possessed by him as heir of the patriarchal priesthood (Jewish Rabbis), though regarded by many as a probable conjecture (Ainsworth, Bush, Candlish, Clarke, Wordsworth, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Inglis), is devoid of proof, and may be pronounced unlikely, since the firstborn did not serve in the priesthood while his father lived (Willet, Alford). They were probably festive garments of the princely hunter (Kalisch) - which were with her in the house, - not because Esau saw that his wives were displeasing to his parents (Mercerus, Willet), or because they were sacred garments (Ainsworth, Poole), but probably because Esau, though married, had not yet quitted the patriarchal household (Kalisch) - and put them upon Jacob her younger son. The verb, being in the hiphil, conveys the sense of causing Jacob to clothe himself, which entirely removes the impression that Jacob was a purely involuntary agent in this deceitful and deeply dishonorable affair.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Rebekah
רִ֠בְקָה (riḇ·qāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7259: Rebekah -- wife of Isaac

took
וַתִּקַּ֣ח (wat·tiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the finest
הַחֲמֻדֹ֔ת (ha·ḥă·mu·ḏōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2532: Desire, delight

clothes
בִּגְדֵ֨י (biḡ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

in the house
בַּבָּ֑יִת (bab·bā·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

belonged
אִתָּ֖הּ (’it·tāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

to her older
הַגָּדֹל֙ (hag·gā·ḏōl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

son
בְּנָ֤הּ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Esau,
עֵשָׂ֜ו (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

and she put them on
וַתַּלְבֵּ֥שׁ (wat·tal·bêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

her younger
הַקָּטָֽן׃ (haq·qā·ṭān)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

son
בְּנָ֥הּ (bə·nāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

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


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OT Law: Genesis 27:15 Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 27:14
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