Esau (Edom)
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Role: Firstborn of Isaac, sold his birthright, father of the Edomites
- Family: Son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother of Jacob
- Key Books: Genesis
Biography
Esau was born first, emerging red and hairy, with Jacob grasping his heel. Named “hairy” in Hebrew (same root as Edom, “red”), he was a skilled hunter favored by his father Isaac. His mother Rebekah favored Jacob.
At age 30+, Esau returned hungry from the field. Jacob was cooking lentil stew. Esau, desperate, traded his birthright for a meal — despising his privilege. Years later, when Isaac planned to bless Esau, Rebekah and Jacob deceived Isaac, and Jacob received the blessing meant for Esau.
Enraged, Esau planned to kill Jacob after their parents’ funeral. Rebekah sent Jacob away, and he fled to Haran for 20 years. Before returning, Jacob feared Esau’s wrath, but they embraced and wept — reconciled. Esau took the land of Seir and became known as Edom, founding a nation that would often oppose Israel.
Key Events
- Sold birthright for stew
- Deprived of blessing by Jacob’s deception
- Planned to kill Jacob
- Reconciled with Jacob after 20 years
- Took Seir — became Edom
Relationships
- Isaac & Rebekah — Parents
- Jacob — Twin brother, rival, eventually reconciled
- 6 wives (all Canaanite/Horite — displeased his parents)
Important Verses
- “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day. And he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.” — Genesis 27:38
- “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” — Genesis 33:4
Cross-References
- Romans 9:13 — “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” — divine election
- Hebrews 12:16 — “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright”
- Obadiah — Entire prophecy against Edom (Esau’s descendants)