Esau Series

Esau

As firstborn, Esau is the natural heir and Isaac's successor.

Esau is the elder son of Isaac in the Hebrew Bible. The Christian New Testament alludes to him in the Epistle to the Romans and the Hebrews. He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis and Obadiah and Malachi's prophets.

Born: Canaan

Died: Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron

Children: Eliphaz, Jeush, Jaalam, Reuel

Grandchildren: Omar, Mizzah, Hatam

Parents: Isaac, Rebecca

Siblings: Jacob, Jacob in Islam

What happened to Esau?

According to the Babylonian Talmud, Esau was killed by Hushim, son of Dan, son of Jacob, because Esau obstructed the burial of Jacob in the cave of Machpelah.

What is the story of Esau in the Bible?

In the Old Testament, Esau, also called Edom, (Genesis 25:19–34; 27; 28:6–9; 32:3–21; 33:1–16; 36), son of Isaac and Rebekah, elder twin brother of Jacob, and in Hebrew tradition the ancestor of the Edomites.

Esau was red and hairy at birth, and he became a wandering hunter, while Jacob was a shepherd. Although younger, Jacob dominated him by deception. At one time, when Esau returned from an unsuccessful hunt and was hungry, Jacob bought Esau’s birthright (i.e., the rights due him as the eldest son) for some red pottage (soup). Jacob cheated Esau with Rebekah’s help when Isaac was dying out of his father’s blessing. Esau would have killed Jacob, but Jacob fled; when he returned 20 years later.

The story reflects the relationship between Israel and Edom. It sought to explain why Israel (in the time of the United Monarchy) dominated the kingdom of Edom, although the latter was older.

What became of Esau's descendants?

A few quick words about Esau and his descendants:

First, Esau’s descendants will come to be known as the Edomites, a group of people in continual conflict with God’s chosen race.

The hated King Herod in the New Testament is an Edomite.

He is the one who will try to kill the Messiah (Jesus) while still a baby by decreeing that all Israelite children up to the age of two be murdered.

In modern-day terms, a sizable portion of the people residing in modern-day Turkey are descendants from Esau. Most Syrians and the Kurdish people of Iraq are descended from Esau. It would not be inaccurate to say that a significant part of the Muslim world has the blood of Esau flowing through their veins. Finally, many Palestinians today recognize that they are descendants of Esau.

What is the meaning of the story of Esau and Jacob?

As the eldest son of Isaac, Esau should have inherited the covenant (agreement) with God that Abraham had passed on to Isaac. However, Esau traded his birthright (inheritance) to his younger brother, Jacob, for a “mess of pottage” (a meal of stew) when he was too hungry to consider what he was throwing away. Jacob also cheated Esau out of their blind father's deathbed blessing by impersonating him, deceit prompted by their mother, Rebecca. The feud between the brothers ended many years later in a joyful reconciliation. The night before his reunion with Esau, Jacob wrestled with God and forced God to bless him. God gave Jacob the new name of Israel, meaning “one who has been strong against God.” (See Jacob's ladder.)

Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau?

Malachi 1:2-3 declares, “‘I have loved you,’” says the LORD. However, you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ the LORD says. ‘Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.’” Malachi 1:3 is quoted in Romans 9:10-13, “Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had the same father, our father, Isaac.

Nevertheless, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau? If God is love (1 John 4:8), how could He hate anyone?

It is critically essential always to study the context of a particular Bible verse or passage when studying the Bible. In these instances, the prophet Malachi and the apostle Paul are using the name “Esau” to refer to the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau. Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, Esau and Jacob. God chose Jacob (whom He later renamed “Israel”) to be the father of His chosen people, the Israelites. God rejected Esau (who was also called “Edom”) and did not choose him to be the father of His chosen people. Esau and his descendants, the Edomites, were in many ways blessed by God (Genesis 33:9; Genesis chapter 36).