Genesis 25:27-34

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, ¹living in tents.

28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had ²a taste for game, ³but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 When Jacob had cooked ⁴stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished;

30 and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished." Therefore * his name was called Edom.

31 But Jacob said, "First sell me your ⁵birthright."

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 ⁶sold 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.

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.

Cross References

• 1. Hebrews 11:9
• 2. Genesis 27:19
• 3. Genesis 27:6-10
• 4. 2 Kings 4:38
• 5. Deuteronomy 21:16, 17; 1 Chronicles 5:1, 2
• 6. Hebrews 12:16

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "complete"
• [b] Lit "dwelling"
• [c] Lit "game was in his mouth"
• [d] Lit "weary"
• [e] Lit "the red, this red"
• [f] Lit "weary"
• [g] I.e. red
• [h] Lit "Today"
• [i] Lit "Today"