Genesis 25:34

34 and Jacob hath given to Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he eateth, and drinketh, and riseth, and goeth; and Esau despiseth the 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 And Esau saith, `Lo, I am going to die, and what is this to me -- birthright?'
33 and Jacob saith, `Swear to me to-day:' and he sweareth to him, and selleth his birthright to Jacob;
34 and Jacob hath given to Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he eateth, and drinketh, and riseth, and goeth; and Esau despiseth the birthright.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.