Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 27:4

"And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat. That my soul may bless thee before I die." — Genesis 27:4 (ASV)

Savoury meat. — On the rare occasions when an Arab sheik tastes meat, it is flavored with almonds, pistachio nuts, and raisins. Thus, it would not be easy for Isaac to distinguish the taste of the meat of a kid from that of an antelope. Since the Arabs always spare their own flocks and herds, the capture of a wild animal gives them greater pleasure, and a feast provided in this way seemed to the patriarch a proper occasion for the solemn decision of which son should inherit the promises made to Abraham.

That my soul may bless you. — We gather from the solemn blessing given to his sons by Jacob (Genesis 49) that this was a prophetic act, by which the patriarchs, under the influence of the Spirit, and in expectation of death, decided to which son the birthright should belong. Jacob, when he was dying, bestowed it on Judah (Genesis 27:8–12). But here Isaac resisted the Spirit, for the clear warning had been given that the elder should serve the younger (Genesis 25:23).

Isaac may have been moved to this act by indignation at the way Esau had been induced to sell the birthright. In annulling that sale, he would have been within his rights; but he was not justified in disregarding the voice of prophecy, nor in his indifference to Esau’s violation of the Abrahamic law in marrying heathen women.

And so, he becomes the victim of craft and treachery, while Jacob is led on to a deed that was the cause of endless grief to him and Rebekah, and has stained his character forever.

But if Jacob had possessed the same high standard of honor that distinguished David afterwards, he would have received the blessing equally, but without the sin of deception practiced on his own father.