Study Desk

Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and ^(w)the Lord ^[q]answered him and Rebekah his wife ^(x)conceived.

But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way?" So she went to ^(y)inquire of the Lord .

The Lord said to her, "^(z)Two nations are in your womb; ^(aa)And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And ^(ab)the older shall serve the younger."

When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

Now the first came forth red, ^(ac)all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau.

Afterward his brother came forth with ^(ad)his hand holding on to Esau's heel, so ^(ae)his name was called ^[r]Jacob; and Isaac was ^(af)sixty years old when she gave birth to them.

When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a ^[s]peaceful man, ^[t](ag)living in tents.

Now Isaac loved Esau, because ^[u]he had ^(ah)a taste for game, ^(ai)but Rebekah loved Jacob.

When Jacob had cooked ^(aj)stew, Esau came in from the field and he was ^[v]famished;

and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of ^[w]that red stuff there, for I am ^[x]famished." Therefore his name was called ^[y]Edom.

But Jacob said, "^[z]First sell me your ^(ak)birthright."

Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?"

And Jacob said, "^[aa]First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and ^(al)sold his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.