Genesis 25:26-34

26 Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants]. Yitz'chak was sixty years old when she bore them.

27 The boys grew; and 'Esav became a skillful hunter, an outdoorsman; while Ya'akov was a quiet man who stayed in the tents.

28 Yitz'chak favored 'Esav, because he had a taste for game; Rivkah favored Ya'akov.

29 One day when Ya'akov had cooked some stew, 'Esav came in from the open country, exhausted,

30 and said to Ya'akov, "Please! Let me gulp down some of that red stuff - that red stuff! I'm exhausted!" (This is why he was called Edom [red].)

31 Ya'akov answered, "First sell me your rights as the firstborn."

32 "Look, I'm about to die!" said 'Esav. "What use to me are my rights as the firstborn?"

33 Ya'akov said, "First, swear to me!" So he swore to him, thus selling his birthright to Ya'akov.

34 Then Ya'akov gave him bread and lentil stew; he ate and drank, got up and went on his way. Thus 'Esav showed how little he valued his birthright.

Genesis 25:26-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 25

This chapter contains an account of Abraham's marriage with another woman, and of the children he had by her and of their posterity Ge 25:1-4; of Abraham's disposal of his substance; and his sons, Ge 25:5,6; of the years of his life, his death and burial, Ge 25:7-11; of the children of Ishmael, and of the years of his life, and of his death, Ge 25:12-18; and of the sons of Isaac the fruit of prayer, and of the oracle concerning them before they were born, and of their temper and disposition, conduct and behaviour, Ge 25:19-34.