The Birth of Esau and Jacob

This is the story of Abraham's son Isaac.

The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.

Esau Sells His Rights as the First-Born Son

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.

Isaac preferred Esau, because he enjoyed eating the animals Esau killed, but Rebecca preferred Jacob.

One day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry

and said to Jacob, “I'm starving; give me some of that red stuff.” (That is why he was named Edom.)

Jacob answered, “I will give it to you if you give me your rights as the first-born son.”

Jacob answered, “First make a vow that you will give me your rights.” Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave him some bread and some of the soup. He ate and drank and then got up and left. That was all Esau cared about his rights as the first-born son.

Isaac Blesses Jacob

Isaac was now old and had become blind. He sent for his older son Esau and said to him, “Son!” “Yes,” he answered.

she said to Jacob, “I have just heard your father say to Esau,

But Jacob said to his mother, “You know that Esau is a hairy man, but I have smooth skin.

Then she took Esau's best clothes, which she kept in the house, and put them on Jacob.

Then Jacob went to his father and said, “Father!” “Yes,” he answered. “Which of my sons are you?”

Jacob answered, “I am your older son Esau; I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of the meat that I have brought you, so that you can give me your blessing.”

Isaac said, “How did you find it so quickly, son?” Jacob answered, “The Lord your God helped me find it.”

Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come closer so that I can touch you. Are you really Esau?”

Jacob moved closer to his father, who felt him and said, “Your voice sounds like Jacob's voice, but your arms feel like Esau's arms.”

He did not recognize Jacob, because his arms were hairy like Esau's. He was about to give him his blessing,

Isaac said, “Bring me some of the meat. After I eat it, I will give you my blessing.” Jacob brought it to him, and he also brought him some wine to drink.

Esau Begs for Isaac's Blessing

Isaac finished giving his blessing, and as soon as Jacob left, his brother Esau came in from hunting.

Esau said, “This is the second time that he has cheated me. No wonder his name is Jacob. He took my rights as the first-born son, and now he has taken away my blessing. Haven't you saved a blessing for me?”

Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, “The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob.”

But when Rebecca heard about Esau's plan, she sent for Jacob and said, “Listen, your brother Esau is planning to get even with you and kill you.

Isaac Sends Jacob to Laban

Rebecca said to Isaac, “I am sick and tired of Esau's foreign wives. If Jacob also marries one of these Hittites, I might as well die.”