The Generations of Isaac
19 Now these are athe generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac; 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took aRebekah, the bdaughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the csister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 And Isaac entreated Yahweh on behalf of his wife because she was barren; and aYahweh was moved by his entreaty. So Rebekah his wife bconceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to ainquire of Yahweh. 23 And Yahweh said to her,
“aTwo nations are in your womb;
bAnd two peoples will be separated from your body;
And one people shall be stronger than the other;
And cthe 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, aall over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came forth with ahis hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so bhis name was called Jacob; and Isaac was csixty years old when she gave birth to them.
Esau Sells His Birthright
27 And the boys grew up; Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, aliving in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he had aan appetite for hunted game, bbut Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob had cooked astew. 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 abirthright.” 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 asold 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.