Gen 25:21-26 | TNotes | STEP | 25:21 For twenty years, Rebekah was barren (cp. 25:20 , 26 ), like Sarah (see 16:1 ). This condition tested their faith (see study note on 16:1-3). How could they be childless when God promised that nations would issue from them? • Isaac pleaded with the Lord and the Lord answered Isaac’s prayer . Isaac apparently learned from his father’s mistake and responded in faith.

25:21 ^a For twenty years, Rebekah was barren (cp. 25:20 ^b, 26 ^c), like Sarah (see 16:1 ^d). This condition tested their faith (see study note on 16:1-3). How could they be childless when God promised that nations would issue from them?

• Isaac pleaded with the Lord and the Lord answered Isaac’s prayer. Isaac apparently learned from his father’s mistake and responded in faith.
25:22 ^e When the pregnancy was difficult, Rebekah went to ask the Lord about it, probably by visiting a prophet—perhaps Abraham (20:7 ^f; see study note on 25:7-8).
25:23 ^g rivals: Jacob and Esau fought in the womb, and their descendants (Israel and Edom) fought continuously throughout their history. In their many conflicts, Israel achieved supremacy over Edom.

• your older son will serve your younger son: God’s choice of the younger son over the elder ran against natural order (cp. 48:12-14 ^h; see Mal 1:1-3 ⁱ; Rom 9:11-16 ^j).
Summary for Gen 25:24-26: 25:24-26 ^k When the twins were born, the unusual circumstances inspired each boy’s name and hinted at what would happen to them in the future.
25:25 ^l Two wordplays anticipate Esau’s later life. Esau sounds like Hebrew se‘ar, which means “hair”; Esau’s later homeland, Edom, was known as Seir (“hairy”) because it was wooded (as though covered with hair).

• red (Hebrew ’admoni) sounds like Esau’s other name, Edom (25:27-34 ^m); Edom had red soil.

• Esau’s >hair was like the fur coat of an animal, foreshadowing his unspiritual character (25:34 ⁿ; Heb 12:16 ^o; cp. Lev 26:22 ^p; Deut 7:22 ^q; 1 Cor 15:32 ^r). The description of the child uses words that highlight the Edomites’ nature.
25:26 ^s The name Jacob (Hebrew ya‘aqob, from Hebrew ‘aqeb, “heel, footprint”) was originally positive, meaning “protect” (like a rear guard), but it took on the negative meaning of “heel grabber” or “deceiver” in the context of Jacob’s deceptive, grasping, usurping character (see 27:36 ^t).