Genesis 25:19-34

Isaac's Sons

19 Now these are the records of 1the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham became the father of Isaac;
20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took 2Rebekah, the 3daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the 4sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.
21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and 5the LORD answered him and Rebekah his wife 6conceived.
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way?" So she went to 7inquire of the LORD.
23 The LORD said to her, "8Two nations are in your womb; 9And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And 10the older shall serve the younger."
24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 Now the first came forth red, 11all over like a hairy garment; and they named * him Esau.
26 Afterward his brother came forth with 12his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so 13his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was 14sixty years old when she gave birth to them.
27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, 15living in tents.
28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had 16a taste for game, 17but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 When Jacob had cooked 18stew, 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 19birthright."
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 20sold 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 25:19-34 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 20

  • 1. Matthew 1:2
  • 2. Gen 24:15, 29, 67
  • 3. Genesis 22:23
  • 4. Genesis 24:29
  • 5. 1 Samuel 1:17; 1 Chronicles 5:20; 2 Chronicles 33:13; Ezra 8:23; Psalms 127:3
  • 6. Romans 9:10
  • 7. 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Samuel 10:22
  • 8. Gen 17:4-6, 16; Numbers 20:14; Deuteronomy 2:4, 8
  • 9. Genesis 27:29
  • 10. Genesis 27:40; Malachi 1:2, 3; Romans 9:12
  • 11. Genesis 27:11
  • 12. Hosea 12:3
  • 13. Genesis 27:36
  • 14. Genesis 25:20
  • 15. Hebrews 11:9
  • 16. Genesis 27:19
  • 17. Genesis 27:6-10
  • 18. 2 Kings 4:38
  • 19. Deuteronomy 21:16, 17; 1 Chronicles 5:1, 2
  • 20. Hebrews 12:16

Footnotes 14

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