Genesis 25:22-34

English Standard Version

²² The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?”^[a] So she went ^(A)to inquire of the Lord. ²³ And the Lord said to her,

²⁴ When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. ²⁵ The first came out red, ^(E)all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. ²⁶ Afterward his brother came out with ^(F)his hand holding Esau's heel, so ^(G)his name was called Jacob.^[c] Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

²⁷ When the boys grew up, Esau was ^(H)a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, ^(I)dwelling in tents. ²⁸ Isaac loved Esau because ^(J)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.^[d]) 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 ^(K)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.