Genesis 25:27

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter. He loved to be out in the fields. But Jacob was a quiet man and stayed among the tents.

Genesis 25:27 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 25:27

And the boys grew
In stature, became strong and fit for business, and betook themselves to different employments: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field:
whose business lay in tilling and sowing it, which his father Isaac followed sometimes; or rather he chose to range about the field and hunt after beasts and birds, in which he was very expert, and contrived traps and snares to catch them in; and this course of life was most agreeable to his temper and disposition, being active, fierce, and cruel; according to the Targum of Jonathan, he was also a hunter and slayer of men, Nimrod and Henoch his son: and Jacob was a plain man;
an honest plain hearted man, whose heart and tongue went together; a quiet man, that gave no disturbance to others; a godly man, sincere, upright, and perfect, that had the truth of grace and holiness in him, as well as the perfect righteousness of his Redeemer on him: dwelling in tents;
keeping at home and attending the business of the family, as we afterwards find him boiling pottage, ( Genesis 25:29 ) ; or rather this denotes his pastoral life, being a shepherd, he dwelt in tents, which could be removed from place to place for the convenience of pasturage: Jarchi's note is,

``in the tent of Shem and in the tent of Eber;''

agreeably to the Targum of Jonathan,

``a minister in the school of Shem, seeking doctrine from the Lord;''

a student there, where he resided awhile, in order to be instructed in the doctrines of truth and righteousness.

Genesis 25:27 In-Context

25 The first baby was born red. Since his skin was like a hairy robe, he was named Esau.

26 When the second baby was born, he was holding on to Esau's heel, so that baby was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter. He loved to be out in the fields. But Jacob was a quiet man and stayed among the tents.

28 Isaac loved Esau because he hunted the wild animals that Isaac enjoyed eating. But Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 One day Jacob was boiling a pot of vegetable soup. Esau came in from hunting in the fields, weak from hunger.