Esau
the twin who hunted
Who was Esau?
- Son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin of Jacob. He was born first, reddish and hairy. Genesis 25:24-25
- He was a hunter. One day he came back hungry and sold Jacob his rights as firstborn for a lentil stew. Genesis 25:27, 29-34
- Years later, when Jacob returned to Canaan, Esau ran to meet him and embraced him. Genesis 33:4
What the Bible says
Genesis 25:24-25
24And when her time was come to be delivered, behold twins were found in her womb. 25He that came forth first was red, and hairy like a skin: and his name was called Esau. Immediately the other coming forth, held his brother’s foot in his hand, and therefore he was called Jacob.
Genesis 25:27, 29-34
27And when they were grown up, Esau became a skillful hunter, and a husbandman, but Jacob a plain man dwelt in tents. 29And Jacob boiled pottage: to whom Esau, coming faint out of the field, 30Said: Give me of this red pottage, for I am exceeding faint. For which reason his name was called Edom. 31And Jacob said to him: Sell me thy first birthright. 32He answered: Lo I die, what will the first birthright avail me? 33Jacob said: Swear therefore to me. Esau swore to him, and sold his first birthright. 34And so taking bread and the pottage of lentils, he ate, and drank, and went his way; making little account of having sold his first birthright.
Genesis 33:4
Then Esau ran to meet his brother, and embraced him: and clasping him fast about the neck, and kissing him, wept.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
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