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Genesis 27:12 – NASB vs. HCSB vs. ESV
Genesis 27:12 NASB “Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.”
Genesis 27:12 HCSB (2004) Suppose my father touches me. Then I will seem to be deceiving him, and I will bring a curse rather than a blessing on myself.”
Genesis 27:12 HCSB (2010) Suppose my father touches me. Then I will be revealed to him as a deceiver and bring a curse rather than a blessing on myself.”
Genesis 27:12 ESV Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.”
The NASB is the best out of the four. The 2004 HCSB is weak with the phrase, “I will seem to be deceiving him.” There is no “seeming.” The 2010 corrects by reading, “I will be revealed to him as a deceiver.” But it misses out on the play of words between verses 1 and 12. Isaac’s “eyes” (‛ayin) were weak and dim and Jacob was fearful of being found a deceiver in Isaac’s “sight” (‛ayin). The HCSB use of “revealed” is close but not as good. Here the optimal equivalent falters. Language is more than just words; it is words relating to other words. The ESV is the worse out of the four.
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