Genesis 25:27-34

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.

28 Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau Sells His Birthright

29 One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.

30 He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom. ^[a])

31 “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied.

32 “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?”

33 “Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.

34 Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:27-34 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Edom means red.