What Really Happened in Genesis 27?

And his eyes had become weak from seeing: On account that he loved Esau because he put meat in his mouth, and it is written, "because the bribe blinds [the eyes of even an honest judge]." (Exodus 23:8) Another explanation: [God weakened Isaac's eyes] so when Jacob came he would grant the blessing.

I do not know the day of my death: Rabbi Joshua ben Korcha said: When a person approaches the age at which his parents died, he may be anxious five years before and five years after. And Isaac was 123 years old and said, “Perhaps I will only reach the age of my mother who died at the age of 127, and I am now within five years of her age; thus, I do not know the day of my death, maybe my mother's age, or maybe my father's age.”

And make me the delicacies: he wanted the delicacies so his son would [fulfill the commandment to] honor his father, and thus would deserve the blessing he would give him; because although Isaac did not know the extent of his son’s wickedness, he did not think it was suitable that he give him the blessing in his heart. This is why, when he blessed Jacob later, and he knew he deserved the blessing, he did not ask for delicacies or ask him to do anything; and he blessed him without delay, saying “may El Shaddai bless you.” (28:3)

Maybe...I'll be like a trickster: seeing that he can hardly see, I would deceive him [saying] that I am Esau, and if he will feel me and find that my skin is smooth, he will say, "how dare you deceive me?!" And instead of blessing me he will curse me.

And I will bring on me: I will cause a curse to be brought upon myself.

Let your curse be on me: on me and on my neck, as it is said, because she was relying on what God said to her [during pregnancy]: "and the older will serve the younger."(25:23)

Let your curse be on me, my son: this means, “your father would not curse you, but me,” as it is generally accepted that when children do not behave in the manner they should, it is their parents that are cursed, and they say, "cursed that this one he raised."

I am Esau your firstborn: I am he that brings you food, and Esau is your firstborn.

I am Esau your firstborn: Some people ask in shock, How could Jacob, who was righteous and God-fearing, say something like this? Actually, the matter is not so shocking, because Jacob knew he was more entitled to the blessing than his brother was, and the spirit of prophecy would come to rest on Isaac so that he would bless him... and thus Jacob would receive his father's blessing; and if he had to change his words in this case, this doesn't make him a liar. Also, [he did the right thing] because his mother commanded him, as it is written, “you shall respect your mother and father.” (Leviticus 19:3)

And Isaac said, etc.: because of the sound of his voice, his mind was alerted so that he examined him more closely, and he thought about how quickly he had come from the field with the meat.

The voice is the voice of Jacob: since they were twins, their voices were somewhat similar to one another. This made it easy for Isaac to mistake his voice, and after he found before him a hairy man.

Is this you, my son Esau: it would appear that you are my son Esau.

And he said I am: He did not say, “I am Esau,” but “I am.”

Be your brother's superior: a reference to Esau’s sons (descendants); the same is meant by “your mother’s sons,” her descendants. And this happened in the time of David [when he defeated the Edomites] and it will happen again in the days of the Messiah.

It is my understanding, furthermore, that when Isaac blessed Jacob, he did so not being entirely sure whether it was Jacob or Esau he was blessing. We find several expressions of reservation in this regard: first, (Genesis 27:20): "How come you have found it so quickly, my son?" Again (Ibid 21): "Come close, and let me feel you, my son." And yet a third time (Ibid 22): "The voice is the voice of Jacob but the hands are those of Esau." Now there is no doubt that a voice is a more trustworthy sign than hands. From all of this it is apparent that it was not clear to Isaac for a certainty that this was Esau standing before him — in spite of which doubt he blessed him, acquiescing in either possibility [that it be Esau or Jacob]. For there is no doubt that Isaac loved Jacob and desired any blessing for him which would not result in harm to Esau.