Esau
Father of the EdomitesTwin brother of Jacob who sold his birthright for stew and became the ancestor of the Edomite nation
Esau was Isaac's firstborn, a skillful hunter and man of the field, his father's favorite. Yet before birth, God declared 'the older will serve the younger.' Esau despised his birthright, selling it to Jacob for a bowl of stew - an act Hebrews calls 'godless.' He lost his blessing through Jacob's deception and wept bitterly but found no place for repentance. Despite hatred toward Jacob, he later reconciled with his brother. Esau became Edom, ancestor of the Edomites who inhabited Seir. His descendants and Jacob's had ongoing conflict throughout biblical history. Malachi and Paul cite God's choice of Jacob over Esau as demonstration of sovereign election. Esau represents the danger of trading eternal spiritual blessings for temporary physical satisfaction.
Original Name
עֵשָׂו (Esav)
Meaning
Hairy, Rough
Etymology
Esau (Esav) is connected to 'se'ar' (hair) because he was born red and hairy like a garment. He's also called 'Edom' (red) because of his appearance and the red stew he craved. His descendants became the Edomites.
Linguistic Insights
Esau's name connects to 'se'ar' (hair) - he came out 'like a hairy garment' (ke'adderet se'ar). His nickname 'Edom' (red) has double meaning: his ruddy appearance at birth and the red lentil stew (ha'adom ha'adom hazeh - 'this red, red stuff') for which he traded his birthright. The territory of Seir where Edomites settled also means 'hairy/rough.' When Esau 'despised' (bazah) his birthright, the Hebrew indicates treating something as worthless. His cry 'bless me also' (barakheni gam ani) is heartbreaking yet Hebrews warns he found 'no place for repentance' (metanoia topon) despite seeking it with tears. The ongoing Edom-Israel conflict reflects this fraternal division, with prophets frequently addressing Edom's downfall.
Translation Notes
- •Esav connected to 'se'ar' (hair)
- •Edom = 'red' - his nickname and nation
- •Seir = 'hairy' - his territory
- •'Despised' = treated as worthless
Related Terms
Born first, red and hairy
Genesis 25:25Became a skillful hunter
Genesis 25:27Sold birthright to Jacob for stew
Genesis 25:29-34Married Hittite women, grieving parents
Genesis 26:34-35Lost blessing through Jacob's deception
Genesis 27:30-40Planned to kill Jacob
Genesis 27:41Married Ishmael's daughter
Genesis 28:8-9Reconciled with Jacob
Genesis 33:1-16Settled in Seir/Edom
Genesis 36:8Buried Isaac with Jacob
Genesis 35:29Genesis 25:34
"Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright."
Genesis 27:38
"Esau said to his father, 'Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!' Then Esau wept aloud."
Hebrews 12:16
"See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."
Malachi 1:3
"But Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."
Born
c. 2006 BC
Died
Unknown
Lifespan
Unknown