Genesis 25:23 and He declared to her: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

◄ Genesis 25:23 ►

New International Version
The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

New Living Translation
And the LORD told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.”

English Standard Version
And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

Berean Standard Bible
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

King James Bible
And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

New King James Version
And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”

New American Standard Bible
And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people will be stronger than the other; And the older will serve the younger.”

NASB 1995
The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”

NASB 1977
And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples shall be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”

Amplified Bible
The LORD said to her, “[The founders of] two nations are in your womb; And the separation of two nations has begun in your body; The one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”

Christian Standard Bible
And the LORD said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And the LORD said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two people will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.

Contemporary English Version
and he told her: "Your two sons will become two separate nations. The younger of the two will be stronger, and the older son will be his servant."

English Revised Version
And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated even from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD said to her, "Two countries are in your womb. Two nations will go their separate ways from birth. One nation will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

Good News Translation
The LORD said to her, "Two nations are within you; You will give birth to two rival peoples. One will be stronger than the other; The older will serve the younger."

International Standard Version
"Two nations are in your womb," the LORD responded, "and two separate people will emerge. One people will be the stronger, and the older one will serve the younger."

Majority Standard Bible
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

NET Bible
and the LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

New Heart English Bible
And he said to her, "Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels: and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

World English Bible
Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And YHWH says to her, “Two nations [are] in your womb, and two peoples from your bowels are parted; and the [one] people is stronger than the [other] people; and the older serves the younger.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith to her, 'Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples from thy bowels are parted; and the one people than the other people is stronger; and the elder doth serve the younger.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah will say to her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy belly: and a people shall be strong above a people, and the great shall serve the small.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he answering said: Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be divided out of thy womb, and one people shall overcome the other, and the elder shall serve the younger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And responding, he said, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be divided out of your womb, and one people will overcome the other people, and the elder will serve the younger.”

New American Bible
and the LORD answered her: Two nations are in your womb, two peoples are separating while still within you; But one will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.

New Revised Standard Version
And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the LORD said to her, Two peoples are in your womb, and two nations shall be separated from your body; and the one nation shall be stronger than the other nation; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH said to her: “Two peoples are in your womb, and two nations shall be separated from your womb, and one nation shall be stronger than the other nation, and the greater shall be subject to the lesser.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD said unto her: Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels; And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord said to her, There are two nations in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy belly, and one people shall excel the other, and the elder shall serve the younger.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jacob and Esau
…22But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD, 23and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” 24When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Romans 9:10-12
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Malachi 1:2-3
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”

Hebrews 11:20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.

2 Samuel 8:14
He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.

Obadiah 1:10-12
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress.

Obadiah 1:18
Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken.

Numbers 20:14-21
From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. ...

Deuteronomy 2:4-5
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.

Deuteronomy 23:7
Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.

Ezekiel 35:5
Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment,

Ezekiel 35:15
As you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, so will I do to you. You will become a desolation, O Mount Seir, and so will all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the LORD.

Amos 1:11
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly.

Amos 9:12
that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this.

Isaiah 34:5-6
When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Isaiah 63:1
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Two nations.

Genesis 17:16
And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

Genesis 24:60
And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.

two manner.

Genesis 25:27
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 32:6
And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

Genesis 33:3
And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

the elder.

Genesis 27:29,40
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee…

2 Samuel 8:14
And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

1 Kings 22:47
There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.

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Genesis 25

1. The sons of Abraham by Keturah.
5. The division of his goods.
7. His age, death, and burial.
11. God blesses Isaac.
12. The generations of Ishmael.
17. His age and death.
19. Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.
22. The children strive in her womb.
24. The birth of Esau and Jacob.
27. Their different characters and pursuits.
29. Esau sells his birthright.

Berean Study Bible

The LORD said to her
This phrase indicates divine communication, emphasizing the direct involvement of God in the unfolding events. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which underscores His faithfulness and sovereignty. This divine message is a pivotal moment, revealing God's intimate knowledge and control over human history. It reminds us that God is not distant but actively engaged in the lives of His people, guiding and directing according to His purposes.

Two nations are in your womb
The phrase "two nations" refers to the future descendants of the twins Jacob and Esau, who would become the Israelites and the Edomites, respectively. The Hebrew word for "nations" is "goyim," often used to describe distinct ethnic groups or peoples. This prophetic declaration highlights the significance of Rebekah's pregnancy, as it foreshadows the development of two distinct peoples with their own destinies. It serves as a reminder of God's foreknowledge and His ability to shape the course of history even before birth.

and two peoples will be separated from your body
The term "separated" suggests a division or distinction between the two groups that will emerge from Rebekah's womb. This separation is not merely physical but also spiritual and cultural, as the Israelites and Edomites would have different paths and relationships with God. The Hebrew root "parad" conveys the idea of division or distinction, emphasizing that God's plan involves setting apart individuals and nations for specific purposes. This separation is a testament to God's sovereign will and His ability to orchestrate events according to His divine plan.

one people will be stronger than the other
This phrase indicates a future imbalance of power between the two nations. The Hebrew word for "stronger" is "amats," which can mean to be strong, courageous, or firm. This prophecy foreshadows the eventual dominance of Israel over Edom, as seen in various historical accounts in the Bible. It serves as a reminder that God's purposes often involve the rise and fall of nations, and that true strength comes from alignment with His will.

and the older will serve the younger
This statement overturns the cultural norm of primogeniture, where the firstborn typically held a position of privilege and authority. The Hebrew word for "serve" is "avad," which means to work or serve. This prophecy is fulfilled in the lives of Esau and Jacob, where Jacob, the younger, receives the birthright and blessing. It highlights God's sovereign choice and His ability to work beyond human expectations and traditions. This reversal of roles is a recurring theme in Scripture, demonstrating that God's ways are higher than our ways and that He often chooses the unlikely to fulfill His purposes.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) And the Lord said unto her.--Not by the mouth of Abraham, nor in a dream, but directly, as He spake of old to Adam and Eve. We read of no appearance, as in Genesis 17:1, nor must we invent one. The manner in which Jehovah thus spake has not been revealed, and it is enough for us to know that Jehovah did speak of old to men. The answer is in the form of poverty:--

"Two nations are in thy womb;

And two peoples from thy bowels shall be separated;

And people shall be mightier than people;

And the great shall serve the small."

The second line shows that even in their earliest childhood her sons would be unlike in character and unfriendly in disposition; upon this follows their development into hostile nations, and the prediction that the son who started with the advantages of the birthright, the stronger physical nature, and superior strength in men and arms (Genesis 32:6), would, nevertheless, finally hold the inferior position. There can be no doubt that the secondary cause of the vaster development of Jacob was his being placed by Joseph in the fruitful Delta, where the Israelites were constantly joined by a stream of Semitic immigrants, whose movement towards Egypt is a perfectly authenticated fact of the history of those times. (See Genesis 12:15.) . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 23. - And the Lord said unto her, - in a dream (Havernick), a form of revelation peculiar to primitive times (Genesis 15:1; Genesis 20:6; Genesis 28:12; Genesis 37:5; 90:5; 91:1; 96:2; cf. Job 4:13; Job 33:15); but whether communicated directly to herself, or spoken through the medium of a prophet, the Divine response to her interrogation assumed an antistrophic and poetical form, in which she was informed that her unborn sons were to be the founders of two mighty nations, who, "unequal in power, should be divided rivalry and antagonism from their youth" - Two nations are in thy womb (i.e. the ancestors and founders of two nations, vie., the Israelites and Idumeans), and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; - literally, and two peoples from thy bowels (or womb) are separated, i.e. proceeding from thy womb, they shall be divided from and against each other - and the one people shall be stronger than the other people (literally, and people shall be stronger than people, i.e. the one shall prevail over the other); and the elder shall serve the younger - i.e. the descendants of the elder shall be subject to those of the younger. Vide inspired comments on this oracle in Malachi 1:2, 3 and Romans 9:12-33.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and [He]
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

declared
לָ֗הּ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

to her:
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Two
שְׁנֵ֤י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

nations
גוֹיִם֙ (ḡō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

are in your womb,
בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ (bə·ḇiṭ·nêḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 990: The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything

and two
וּשְׁנֵ֣י (ū·šə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

peoples
לְאֻמִּ֔ים (lə·’um·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3816: A community

from within you
מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ (mim·mê·‘a·yiḵ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 4578: The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart

will be separated;
יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ (yip·pā·rê·ḏū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6504: To break through, spread, separate

one people
וּלְאֹם֙ (ū·lə·’ōm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3816: A community

will be stronger
יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ (ye·’ĕ·māṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 553: To be stout, strong, bold, alert

than the other,
מִלְאֹ֣ם (mil·’ōm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3816: A community

and the older
וְרַ֖ב (wə·raḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

will serve
יַעֲבֹ֥ד (ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave

the younger.”
צָעִֽיר׃ (ṣā·‘îr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6810: Little, insignificant, young

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OT Law: Genesis 25:23 Yahweh said to her Two nations (Gen. Ge Gn)