Genesis 25:23-34 ▼

23 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.”

24 And her days to give birth were fulfilled, and behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 And the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau.

26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.

27 And the boys grew up; Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.

28 Isaac loved Esau because he had an appetite for hunted game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 And Jacob had cooked stew. And Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.

30 Then Esau said to Jacob, “Please give me a swallow from the red stuff—this red stuff, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

32 And Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?”

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 So Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank and rose and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.