Esau
“Hairy”
Summary
The eldest son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, who sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage and was supplanted by Jacob; he became the father of the Edomite nation.
☩Birth and Character
Esau and Jacob were twins born to Isaac and Rebekah after years of barrenness. Before their birth, God told Rebekah that two nations were in her womb and that 'the elder shall serve the younger.' At birth, Esau came first, 'red, all over like a hairy garment,' which gave him his name (meaning 'hairy'). He was also called Edom ('red') from the red pottage. Esau grew to be a skillful hunter, 'a man of the field'—wild, restless, and impulsive—in contrast to Jacob who was 'a plain man, dwelling in tents.' Isaac loved Esau for his venison, while Rebekah loved Jacob.
☩Loss of Birthright and Blessing
Returning hungry from hunting, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal of red lentil stew, despising his spiritual inheritance for momentary gratification. Later, when Isaac was old and blind, Jacob deceived his father and obtained the covenant blessing intended for Esau. Though Esau sought the blessing 'carefully with tears,' he found no place for repentance—the blessing could not be reversed. For this reckless disregard of sacred things, the New Testament calls him 'a profane person.'
☩Later Life
Esau's marriages to Canaanite women grieved his parents. After Jacob's deception, Esau harbored murderous anger, causing Jacob to flee to Haran. Years later, when Jacob returned wealthy, the brothers were reconciled and embraced, though they lived separately. Esau had already established himself in Mount Seir (Edom). Twenty years after their reconciliation, they united to bury Isaac in the cave of Machpelah.
☩Theological Significance
Paul uses the story of Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign election—before either had done good or evil, God chose Jacob. The prophet Malachi declared 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,' referring both to the individuals and their descendant nations. Esau's descendants, the Edomites, were eventually subjugated by David but later revolted and remained Israel's adversaries.
Related Verses88 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Esau," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.George Morrish, "Esau," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Esau," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Esau," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.Unknown source, "Esau."