Esau

"Esaw" redirects here. For the Native American tribe, see Catawba (tribe).

Esau (Hebrew Template:Hebrew, Standard Hebrew Esav, Tiberian Hebrew ʿĒśāw) is the brother of Jacob whom God renamed Israel, [1] the patriarch and founder of the Israelites, in the biblical Book of Genesis.. Esau was the oldest son of Isaac and Rebekah and the grandson of Abraham. Jacob and Esau were non-identical twins, with Esau born only minutes before Jacob (Israel) and thus entitled to lead the family and obtain a preferred inheritance after Isaac's death.

The Bible depicts Esau as a hunter who prefers the outdoor life, qualities that distinguished him from his brother. Esau is also considered to be the ancestor of the Edomites.. In the Book of Genesis, Esau is frequently shown being supplanted by his younger twin Jacob (Israel).

Genesis 25:19-25 narrates Esau's birth. He emerges from the womb with Jacob grasping his heel. He is described as: "Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau." [2]

Genesis 25:29-34 shows him willingly and foolishly selling his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a "mess of pottage" (meal of lentils). Some controversy has surrounded this scripture, in that some have noted that Esau may have been in danger of starving to death and was taken advantage of by Jacob in a vulnerable moment. Certainly, Jacob's refusal to share his food without exacting a high price from Esau is in conflict with Biblical principles for moral living such as charity and goodwill. However, others suggest that among the large entourage of Isaac's wealthy household, death from starvation would not likely have been a genuine danger simply on account of Esau not having caught anything while hunting that day. Owing to the strict law concerning draining the blood from an animal before eating it, Esau would not have expected to immediately eat what he killed and would probably have carried food while hunting. Rather Esau's words about being close to death may have been dramatic exaggeration of the type frequently found in the Old Testament and that selling his birthright indicated Esau's lack of appreciation for the long-term value of such an intangible right when he was more interested in fulfilling his immediate needs.

Curiously, the Old Testament of the Bible does not tell us which of these views is correct, whether in God's eyes Esau was cheated by Jacob or whether Esau carelessly sold his birthright to Jacob. However, the New Testament Book of Hebrews in Chapter 12, verse 15-16, takes the view -- somewhat harshly -- that Esau was wrong and unspiritual for thoughtlessly throwing away his birthright. [3]

In Genesis 27:1-40, Jacob uses deception to trick their father Isaac into giving him (Jacob) the blessing normally due to the eldest, instead of giving it to Esau.

Genesis Chapters 32-33 tell of Jacob and Esau being reconciled.

Genesis Chapter 36 lists the descendants of Esau. His death is not recounted in the Bible.

There is also mention of Esau marrying Canaanite wives, and, upon realizing that this displeased his parents, his cousin Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael (Gen 28:6-9).

There are many Biblical references to hostility between the people of Israel and the people of Edom (e.g., 2 Samuel 8:12-14; 2 Kings 8:20-22; Psalm 137:7), and it is possible that some of the narrative of Genesis is intended to explain the origins and justification of that hostility.

Esau's name

Esau's name in Hebrew means "hairy", and, according to Genesis 25:25, it is a reference to his hairiness at birth. He is also called "Edom", which means red. Genesis relates this directly to his selling his birthright for some "red stuff" (Gen. 25:30). However, Genesis also makes a point of mentioning that he was red when he emerged from the womb (Gen 25:25). However, this may be an example of retroactive nomenclature, as the land which was supposedly inhabited by his descendants, Edom, contains a great abundance of red rock, and most scholars believe that the name of the land is a topographical reference.

References

• Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)