Genesis 25:27-34

Jacob acquires the oldest son’s rights

27 When the young men grew up, Esau became an outdoorsman who knew how to hunt, and Jacob became a quiet man who stayed at home.

28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 Once when Jacob was boiling stew, Esau came in from the field hungry

30 and said to Jacob, "I'm starving! Let me devour some of this red stuff." That's why his name is Edom.

31 Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright today."

32 Esau said, "Since I'm going to die anyway, what good is my birthright to me?"

33 Jacob said, "Give me your word today." And he did. He sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 So Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate, drank, got up, and left, showing just how little he thought of 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]. Or red
• [b]. Or oldest son’s rights