25 The first came out red, (A)all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with (B)his hand holding Esau's heel, so (C)his name was called Jacob.[a] Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

27 When the boys grew up, Esau was (D)a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, (E)dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because (F)he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau Sells His Birthright

29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.[b]) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and (G)sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 25:26 Jacob means He takes by the heel, or He cheats
  2. Genesis 25:30 Edom sounds like the Hebrew for red

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