Isaac Blesses Jacob

The old and blind Isaac sits in his bed and blesses his son Jacob. Standing next to them is Isaac's wife Rebecca.

Tradition had it that it was Esau who was to be blessed, Jacob's older twin brother. But Rebecca favoured Jacob and wanted him to be blessed. She advised him to put goat skin on his hands, in order to make them feel as hairy as Esau's. The trick was successful, even though Isaac recognized Jacob's voice.

This work of Govert Flinck still shows the influence of Flinck's teacher Rembrandt. Later in his career Flinck's style would become smoother.