Tyndale Open Study NotesGenesis 25

Even though Abraham had sons with another wife, he protected Isaac's inheritance and blessing.

The exact time when Abraham married Keturah is unknown. It was probably after Sarah's death, but this is not certain.

The birth of these nations from Abraham partially fulfilled God’s promise to him (12:2; 17:4).

Sheba and Dedan: Compare 10:7. Abraham’s descendants probably settled in these regions. They became known by these names, along with people from other family lines.

Abraham loved all his sons, so before he died, he gave them gifts and sent them away as he had sent Ishmael (21:8–14). This made certain that Isaac remained his heir.

These verses mention Abraham's death before Jacob and Esau are born. But he actually lived until they were 15 years old (25:19–26; compare 21:5; 25:26). This storytelling choice ends Abraham's story before focusing on Isaac's family.

God blessed his son Isaac. Abraham had sent his other sons away. Isaac lived near Beer-lahai-roi, a special place where God answered prayers (16:14) and where Isaac waited for the Lord (24:62).

This record lists Ishmael’s descendants before giving the details of Isaac’s descendants (see 25:19–35:29). This follows the literary structure of Genesis (see Genesis Book Introduction, “Summary”).

Ishmael's 12 sons fulfilled God's promise of blessings (Genesis 17:20).

• Havilah was a region in north-central Arabia.

• Shur was an area between Beersheba and Egypt.

• And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers: This wording is similar to 16:12.

Isaac … married Rebekah: Isaac’s marriage connected him and his family more closely to Abraham’s relatives. If he had married a Canaanite woman, the faith of the covenant could have been endangered by these corrupt people and their mixed worship.

Jacob’s struggle to be greater than his brother began before the twins were born (see Hosea 12:3).

This account of the family of Isaac, the chosen son of Abraham, mostly recounts Jacob’s struggle for the blessing (25:27–34; chapters 27–33).

• For 20 years, Rebekah could not have children (compare 25:20, 26), similar to Sarah (see 16:1). This condition tested their faith (see study note on 16:1–3). How could they be childless when God promised that nations would come from them?

• Isaac begged the Lord for help, and the Lord answered his prayer. Isaac seemed to learn from his father's mistake and acted with faith.

When Rebekah’s pregnancy was difficult, she went to ask the LORD about it. She likely did this by visiting a prophet (a person who speaks God’s message), possibly Abraham (20:7; see study note on 25:7–8).

• nations: Jacob and Esau fought in the womb, and their descendants (Israel and Edom) fought continuously throughout their history. In their many conflicts, Israel achieved supremacy over Edom.

• the older will serve younger: God chose the younger son over the elder, which went against the usual order (compare 48:12–14; see Malachi 1:1–3; Romans 9:11–16).

When the twins were born, the unusual circumstances inspired each boy’s name and hinted at what would happen to them in the future.

• Two wordplays anticipate Esau's future. Esau sounds like the Hebrew word se‘ar, meaning "hair." Esau's later homeland was Edom. Another name for it was Seir ("hairy") because it was wooded (as though covered with hair).

• red (Hebrew ’admoni): This Hebrew word sounds like Esau’s other name, Edom, which had red soil (25:27–34).

• hair like a fur coat: This suggests his unspiritual character (25:34; Hebrews 12:16; compare Leviticus 26:22; Deuteronomy 7:22; 1 Corinthians 15:32). The description of the child uses words that emphasize the Edomites' character.

The name Jacob (Hebrew ya‘aqob, from Hebrew ‘aqeb, “heel, footprint”) was originally positive, meaning “protect” (like a rear guard), but it took on the negative meaning of “heel grabber” or “deceiver” in the context of Jacob’s deceptive, grasping, usurping character (see 27:36).

Jacob and Esau developed according to their early traits (25:24–26).

Esau, the reddish, hairy man, cared about physical things rather than spiritual things (see Hebrews 12:16). His desires eventually overcame him and he sold his birthright.

Jacob, the heel grabber, knew the birthright’s value. He made a ruthless deal to win it from his brother.

• Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the field: He was a wild man who enjoyed the wild country.

• Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home (literally a mature/perfect man dwelling in tents): He lived in tents and had good manners.

• Each parent had a favorite child.

• Because: Isaac loved Esau because of his hunting ability. Rebekah had a constant and unconditional love for Jacob.

• Jacob was actually more cunning than Esau. The word for cooking (Hebrew wayyazed, meaning “boiling”) sounds like the word for hunter (Hebrew tsayid). While Jacob was boiling stew, he was also setting a trap for Esau, who is described as hairy and red. He may have waited a long time for this moment.

  The word for cooking can also describe acting without proper limits, like water boiling over a pot. In this way, Jacob went too far when he took the promise for himself. By contrast, Abraham trusted that the promise was already his, so he was willing to give the land to others (see study note on 13:8–13).

• Esau was tired and hungry, but his life was not in danger (25:32; see study note on 25:33–34).

• Esau focused only on his hunger. When a person is controlled by physical desires like this, there is no room for spiritual values. The text shows this clearly by using a Hebrew word (translated "Let me eat") that was often used when feeding animals.

• Edom means “red.” See study note on 25:25.

On 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 behalf (Genesis 32:28).

Esau quickly accepted what Jacob offered and fell into his trap. He ate and left so quickly that he could not have been close to death (25:32). The final comment in the passage explains that Esau treated his birthright with contempt, as if it had no value (Hebrews 12:16). It is foolish to give up spiritual blessings just to satisfy physical desires (compare Genesis 3:6).