Esau
The elder twin of Isaac and Rebekah, born red and hairy with Jacob grasping his heel, and a skilful hunter and man of the open country. Coming in famished one day, he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew — a bargain scripture treats as contempt for what was holy. When Jacob, prompted by Rebekah, stole the blessing as well, Esau wept and resolved to kill him, and Jacob fled. Twenty years later the story turned: Esau ran to meet his returning brother, embraced him and wept, refusing the gifts he was offered. He became the ancestor of the Edomites, Israel's neighbours and frequent enemies.
What we know — and how we know it
Where in scripture
GenesisDeuteronomyJoshua1 ChroniclesJeremiahObadiahMalachiRomansHebrewsThe first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.
Genesis 25:25 — The firstborn twin
Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.
Genesis 25:33 — Sells his birthright
When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.
Genesis 26:34
Isaac sent Jacob away. He went to Paddan Aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, Rebekah’s brother, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.
Genesis 28:5
Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two servants.
Genesis 33:1
God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”
Genesis 35:1
Isaac gave up the spirit, and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.
Genesis 35:29
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
Genesis 36:21
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 15 recorded sayings
“And Esau said to Jacob, Give me a full meal of that red soup, for I am overcome with need for food: for this reason he was named Edom.” — Genesis 25:30
“And Esau said, Truly, I am at the point of death: what profit is the birthright to me?” — Genesis 25:32
“Now when Isaac was old and his eyes had become clouded so that he was not able to see, he sent for Esau, his first son, and said to him, My son: and he said, Here am I.” — Genesis 27:1
“And he made ready a meal, good to the taste, and took it to his father, and said to him, Let my father get up and take of his son's meat, so that you may give me a blessing. And Isaac his father said to him, Who are you? And he said, I am your oldest son, Esau.” — Genesis 27:31-32
“And hearing the words of his father, Esau gave a great and bitter cry, and said to his father, Give a blessing to me, even to me, O my father!” — Genesis 27:34
“And he said, Is it because he is named Jacob that he has twice taken my place? for he took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing. And he said, Have you not kept a blessing for me?” — Genesis 27:36
“And Esau said to his father, Is that the only blessing you have, my father? give a blessing to me, even me! And Esau was overcome with weeping.” — Genesis 27:38
“So Esau was full of hate for Jacob because of his father's blessing; and he said in his heart, The days of weeping for my father are near; then I will put my brother Jacob to death.” — Genesis 27:41
…and 7 more recorded sayings.
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Events
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