Genesis 25:21-34 ▼

21 And Isaac prayed before the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD answered him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 And the children struggled together within her womb; and she said, If it is to be like this, why do I live? So she went to enquire of the LORD.

23 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.

24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 And the first came out red, all covered with ringlets of hair; and they called his name Esau.

26 And after him his brother came forth, and his hand held Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah bore them.

27 And the boys grew up; and Esau became an expert hunter, a man of outdoor life; but Jacob was a simple man, living in a tent.

28 And Isaac was fond of Esau, because he ate of Esau's game; but Rebekah was fond of Jacob.

29 And Jacob cooked pottage, and behold, his brother Esau came in from the field, and he was very hungry;

30 And Esau said to Jacob, Give me some of that pottage, for I am famished; that is why he was called Edom.

31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day your birthright.

32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point of death; and what profit shall a birthright be to me?

33 And Jacob said to him, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him; and he sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage; and he ate, and drank, and rose up and went his way; thus Esau despised his birthright.