Keraia
Genesis 25

Genesis 25:30

Esau Sells His Birthright · Genesis 25:29–34
Read Genesis 25

Translations

Modern
He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.)
Traditional
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
Literal
And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me gulp down, please, from the red, the red, this one, for I am weary!” (Upon thus his name was called Edom.)
Latin
…ait: Da mihi de coctione hac rufa, quia oppido lassus sum. Quam ob causam vocatum est nomen ejus Edom.

Original

Hebrew
English
He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Notes

Genesis 25:30

  • Esau focused only on his hunger. When a person is controlled by physical desires like this, there is no room for spiritual values. The text shows this clearly by using a Hebrew word (translated "Let me eat") that was often used when feeding animals.

  • Edom means “red.” See study note on 25:25.

Genesis 25:27–34

Jacob and Esau developed according to their early traits (25:24–26).

Esau, the reddish, hairy man, cared about physical things rather than spiritual things (see Hebrews 12:16). His desires eventually overcame him and he sold his birthright.

Jacob, the heel grabber, knew the birthright’s value. He made a ruthless deal to win it from his brother.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Jacob Symbolic Numbers

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Ebla Tablets Edom, Edomites Esau Family Life and Relations Genesis, Book of Jacob Lentil Mishma Nathanael Nuzi, Nuzi Tablets Patriarchs, Period of the Pottage Rebecca, Rebekah Red

Topics

Birthright: Sold by Esau Dishonesty: Jacob Obtains his Brother's Birthright by an Unjust Advantage Edom: A Name of Esau, Possibly on Account of his Being Covered with Red Hair Esau: Sells his Birthright for a Single Meal Firstborn: Birthright of The: Sold by Esau Gluttony: Esau Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Esau Worldliness: Esau