Genesis 25:34

34 Then Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.

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, "All right! I am about to die; what good will my rights do me?"
33 Jacob answered, "First make a vow that you will give me your rights." Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.