Genesis 25:34

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:34 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 25:34

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles
This shows what the pottage was made of, of which see ( Genesis 25:30 ) ; and that Jacob gave to Esau more than he asked and bargained for, bread as well as pottage; but neither of them until the bargain was made and swore to, and be had got the birthright secured unto him; as cunning as Esau, and as simple and plain as Jacob were, the latter outwitted the former, and was too crafty for him: and he did eat, and drink, and rose up, and went his way;
following his former course of life, without any remorse of conscience, reflection of mind, or repentance for what he had done; for though he afterwards carefully sought the blessing with tears he had parted with, yet not until his father was upon his deathbed, ( Hebrews 12:17 ) ( Genesis 27:34 ) ; thus Esau despised [his] birthright;
by setting it at so mean a price, and by not repenting of it when he had so done; having no regard especially to spiritual blessings, to the Messiah, and to the heavenly inheritance, eternal glory and happiness by Christ: the Jerusalem Targum adds,

``and he despised his part in the world to come, and denied the resurrection of the dead;''
and the Targum of Jonathan on ( Genesis 25:29 ) says, that
``on that day he committed five transgressions; he performed strange worship (or committed idolatry), he shed innocent blood, he lay with a virgin betrothed, he denied the life of the world to come (or a future state), and despised the birthright;''
which confirms the character the apostle gives of him, that he was a fornicator and a profane person, ( Hebrews 12:16 ) .

Genesis 25:34 In-Context

32 Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?"
33 And Jacob said, "First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
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