Genesis 27:1

Was old, &c.— Bishop Kidder, from several passages of the history laid together, proves, that Isaac was now one hundred and thirty-six or one hundred and thirty-seven years old; when his faculties being much impaired, and apprehending the approach of death, (though he lived forty years after,) he determined to "impart the solemn Abrahamic benediction" to his eldest son Esau, in which channel most probably he conceived that it was to pass, though his wife Rebekah knew to the contrary. Some have imagined, that as Isaac lived so many years afterwards, he was hastened to this act of blessing his son by an indisposition which threatened his death, and rendered more agreeable to his sickly appetite the favourite food procured by his son. As there can be no question, that the imparting this benediction was a high religious act, and evidently prophetic, (as in the case of Jacob also, see ch. Genesis 49:1.) it is very reasonable to conclude, that something more than mere eating was intended; some religious ceremony, sacrifice, or feast; an opinion, for which, in the course of the chapter, we may probably find some countenance.