King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The boys grew; and 'Esav became a skillful hunter, an outdoorsman; while Ya'akov was a quiet man who stayed in the tents.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
American Standard Version:
And the boys grew: and Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the boys{H5288} grew{H1431}: and Esau{H6215} was a cunning{H3045} hunter{H6718}, a man{H376} of the field{H7704}; and Jacob{H3290} was a plain{H8535} man{H376}, dwelling{H3427} in tents{H168}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 11:9
- By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Genesis 21:20
- And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
Genesis 10:9
- He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.
Genesis 6:9
- These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.
Genesis 28:10
- ¶ And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
Genesis 28:11
- And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put [them for] his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Genesis 46:34
- That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, [and] also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd [is] an abomination unto the Egyptians.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 25:27
Genesis 25:27 is part of the narrative in the Book of Genesis that introduces the contrasting characters of Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. The verse succinctly describes their differing personalities and lifestyles, which set the stage for the complex relationship and rivalry that will unfold between them.
Themes:
1. **Personality Contrasts**: The verse highlights the stark differences between the twins. Esau is characterized as an outdoorsman, rugged and skilled in hunting, while Jacob is depicted as a quieter, more domesticated individual, content with life indoors, often associated with a more thoughtful or cerebral nature.
2. **Destiny and Divine Plan**: The contrast between the brothers foreshadows the theme of God's unconventional choice in fulfilling His plan. Despite cultural expectations that the firstborn (Esau) would lead, it is the second-born (Jacob) whom God chooses to continue the covenantal lineage, a recurring theme in Genesis.
3. **Family Dynamics**: The verse hints at the family tensions that will arise, as favoritism and deception play significant roles in the narrative. Rebekah favors Jacob, while Isaac favors Esau, which leads to a series of events where Jacob deceives his brother and father to receive the birthright and blessing meant for Esau.
Historical Context:
The verse is set in the context of the patriarchal narratives, which recount the lives of the ancestors of Israel. At this time, the family of Isaac is living in the land of Canaan, which God had promised to Abraham, Isaac's father. The events described are part of the early history of the Israelite people, long before they became a nation. The narrative reflects the pastoral and nomadic lifestyle of the time, with a strong emphasis on birthright, inheritance, and the continuation of the family line—all of which were critical aspects of ancient Near Eastern society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5288
There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נַעַר
Transliteration: naʻar
Pronunciation: nah'-ar
Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man). - Strong's Number: H1431
There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּדַל
Transliteration: gâdal
Pronunciation: gaw-dal'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to twist (compare גְּדִל), i.e.; to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride); advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to... estate, [phrase] things), grow(up), increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower. - Strong's Number: H6215
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵשָׂו
Transliteration: ʻÊsâv
Pronunciation: ay-sawv'
Description: apparently a form of the passive participle of עָשָׂה in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity; Esau. - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. - Strong's Number: H6718
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צַיִד
Transliteration: tsayid
Pronunciation: tsah'-yid
Description: from a form of צוּד and meaning the same; the chase; also game (thus taken); (generally) lunch (especially for a journey); [idiom] catcheth, food, [idiom] hunter, (that which he took in) hunting, venison, victuals. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7704
There are 309 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂדֶה
Transliteration: sâdeh
Pronunciation: saw-deh'
Description: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out; a field (as flat); country, field, ground, land, soil, [idiom] wild. - Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - Strong's Number: H8535
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּם
Transliteration: tâm
Pronunciation: tawm
Description: from תָּמַם; complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear; coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.