Genesis 25:31

Genesis 25:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
• New International Version (NIV)Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright now."
• New King James Version (NKJV)But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”

Context of Genesis 25:31

29Jacob had cooked [reddish-brown lentil] stew [one day], when Esau came from the field and was famished; 30and Esau said to Jacob, “Please, let me have a quick swallow of that red stuff there, because I am exhausted and famished.” For that reason Esau was [also] called Edom (Red). Jacob answered, “First sell me your birthright (the rights of a firstborn).” 32Esau said, “Look, I am about to die [if I do not eat soon]; so of what use is this birthright to me?” 33Jacob said, “Swear [an oath] to me today [that you are selling it to me for this food]”; so he swore [an oath] to him, and sold him his birthright.

Genesis 25:31 word by word

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֑ב מִכְרָ֥ה כַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ לִֽי׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Sellמָכַרmâkar · to sellH4376
• me this dayיוֹםyôm · day: todayH3117
• thy birthrightבְּכֹרָהbekôrâh bekôrâh · birthrightH1062

Commentaries on Genesis 25:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31Sell me this day thy birthright - What the בחרה bechorah or birthright was, has greatly divided both ancient and modern commentators. It is generally supposed that the following rights were attached to the primogeniture: Authority and superiority over the rest of the family. A double portion of the paternal inheritance. The peculiar benediction of the father. The priesthood, previous to its establishment in the family of Aaron. Calmet controverts most of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19-34Verses 19-34 - LIII. Birth of Esau and Jacob 20. פדן padān Paddan, “plowed field;” related: “cut, plow.” 25. עשׂי ‛êśâv Esaw, “hairy, or made.” 26. יעקב ya‛ăqôb Ja‘aqob, “he shall take the heel.” 27. תם tām “perfect, peaceful, plain.” The epithet refers to disposition, and contrasts the comparatively civilized character of Jacob with the rude temper of Esau. 30. אדים 'ědôm Edom, “red.” The ninth document here begins with the usual phrase, and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 29-34Verses 29-34 We have here the bargain made between Jacob and Esau about the right, which was Esau's by birth, but Jacob's by promise. It was for a spiritual privilege; and we see Jacob's desire of the birth-right, but he sought to obtain it by crooked courses, not like his character as a plain man. He was right, that he coveted earnestly the best gifts; he was wrong, that he took advantage of his brother's need. The inheritance of their father's worldly…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 31-33On this occasion, Jacob proved to be the better hunter. However, strong ambition like this can be dangerous. God’s people should desire what God desires, but they must not try to gain these things by human effort (see Zechariah 4:6; Galatians 5:16–17; Ephesians 6:10–12). The Lord dealt strictly with Jacob to remove his sinful methods. Later, he received the promise not as Jacob the deceiver, but as Israel (which means “God fights”). God fought on his…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. Jacob said, Sell me ... thy birthright--that is, the rights and privileges of the first-born, which were very important, the chief being that they were the family priests (Ex 4:22) and had a double portion of the inheritance (De 21:17).Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 25:31

• Birthright
• Covetousness
• Craftiness
• Dishonesty
• Esau
• Extortion
• Firstborn
• Gluttony
• Jacob
• Responsibility
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Jacob
• Jacob, Israel
• Firstborn
• Lentiles
• Rebekah
• Swear
• Atonement, Day of
• Birthright
• Esau
• Genealogy

Commentaries on Genesis 25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings