Now, Rebekah was unable to have children, but Isaac pleaded with YAHWEH on behalf of his wife because she was barren—and she did get pregnant, for YAHWEH responded to Isaac’s prayer. During her pregnancy, Rebekah could feel twins thrashing and struggling with each other inside her womb. So she went to inquire of YAHWEH, saying, “Why do I have to live with this?” And YAHWEH answered her, saying,
“The two sons in your womb will become two nations,
and the two peoples within you will become rivals.
One people will become stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
And when the time came for Rebekah to give birth, sure enough, she had twins! The first one came out reddish and covered with hair like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. And his brother came out with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so, they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty when the twins were born.
When the boys grew up, Esau became a rugged outdoorsman and a hardy hunter, but Jacob was more contemplative, content to stay close to home. Isaac loved Esau because he was fond of eating wild game, but Rebekah dearly loved Jacob.
One day, when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau returned from hunting, and he was famished. Smelling the aroma of food, Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starving! Let me eat some of that red stuff you’re cooking.” (This is why he is also called Edom.)
“Yes, but first you must trade me your birthright,” Jacob replied.
“Can’t you see I’m dying of hunger?” Esau said. “What good is the birthright if I’m dead?”
But Jacob insisted, “First, swear to me that you’ll give it to me.” So, Esau swore an oath and surrendered his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some lentil stew and bread. When Esau had finished eating and drinking, he just got up and walked away. Esau cared nothing about his own birthright.
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