Isaac Blesses Jacob

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ld before they were even born. At birth, Esau came out red with his body hair like a mantle (Alter 127). This description of Esau at birth is symbolic. Red was Hebrew for Edom, which was Esau’s other name. He was also described as being hairy like a mantle, which in Hebrew meant “Seir,” the place Esau settled. Jacob on the other hand was born gripping the heel of his brother. It was only logical that his parents named him Jacob, which means “heel” in Hebrew.
The passage starts out with Isaac being old and his eyes too dim to see. Isaac, the man of taste and touch (26:8) is deprived of sight in his old age. As the act of deceit takes place, Isaac relies on his sense of taste, touch, and smell, but he completely ignored the evidence of sound to identify Esau. The author suggests that the blessing that Isaac is offering to Esau is construed to mean “absolute blessing,” or “ solemnly blessed.” This interpretation is based on that of the Hebrew, which literally says, “my life-breath may bless you.” (Altrer137)
Rebekah listened in while Isaac spoke with Esau. It was Rebekah’s idea for Jacob to deceive his father. Moreover, it was an even more uncompromising position for Jacob to either disobey his mother, who was a very strong willed person, or to obey his mother and deceive his father. According to the convention of biblical narrative, there can only be two people in a dialogue, even though one of them may be a collective presence (a person addressing a crowd and receiving its collective response)(Alter 132). Ironically, Isaac and Rebekah are kept apart until the departure of both sons. Needless to say, Esau and Jacob had no conversation at all between each other throughout the entire story.
It is clear to see how the task of stealing the blessing was so easily attained. As the passage continues, Isaac states, “ and I shall bless you in the p...