Gen 25:23-30 | TNotes | STEP | 25:23 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 ; see Mal 1:1-3 ; Rom 9:11-16 ).

25:23 ^a 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 ^b; see Mal 1:1-3 ^c; Rom 9:11-16 ^d).
Summary for Gen 25:24-26: 25:24-26 ^e 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 ^f 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 ^g); Edom had red soil.

• Esau’s >hair was like the fur coat of an animal, foreshadowing his unspiritual character (25:34 ^h; Heb 12:16 ⁱ; cp. Lev 26:22 ^j; Deut 7:22 ^k; 1 Cor 15:32 ^l). The description of the child uses words that highlight the Edomites’ nature.
25:26 ^m 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 ⁿ).
Summary for Gen 25:27-34: 25:27-34 ^o Jacob and Esau each developed in accord with his initial characteristics (25:24-26 ^p). Esau, the reddish, hairy man, cared about physical things rather than spiritual things (see Heb 12:16 ^q); he was finally overcome by physical appetites and sold his birthright. Jacob, the heel grabber, knew the birthright’s value and drove a ruthless bargain to gain it presumptuously from his brother. 25:27 ^r Esau was a skillful hunter and an outdoorsman—a wild man who loved wild country. Jacob had a quiet (or even) temperament and preferred to stay at home (literally dwelling in tents)—i.e., he was civilized.
25:28 ^s The parents each practiced favoritism.

• because: Isaac’s love for Esau was conditioned upon his son’s performance. Rebekah’s love for Jacob was constant and unconditional.
25:29 ^t Ironically, Jacob proved the more cunning hunter. The word cooking (Hebrew wayyazed, “boiling”) sounds like the word for “hunter” (Hebrew tsayid). While boiling stew, Jacob was laying a trap for the hairy red animal. He may have waited a long time for this opportunity. This word for “boil” was also used for presumptuous action (like water boiling over the rim of the pot). Jacob overstepped his boundaries when he seized the promise for himself. By contrast, Abraham knew the promise was his and was secure in giving the land away (see study note on 13:8-13).

• Esau was exhausted and hungry, but his life was not in danger (25:32 ^u; see study note on 25:33-34).
25:30 ^v Esau was preoccupied with his appetite. Being driven by one’s appetites leaves no place for spiritual values. The text emphasizes this by using a Hebrew word (translated give) that was normally used for feeding animals.

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