Genesis25

Genesis 25 details Abraham's final years, including his marriage to Keturah and the birth of more children, whom he sent away with gifts before his death at 175. Isaac and Ishmael bury him, and God blesses Isaac. The chapter then outlines Ishmael's generations and introduces Isaac's twin sons, Esau and Jacob, born after Isaac prayed for barren Rebekah. It concludes with Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a meal, demonstrating his disregard for his inheritance.

Listen to this chapter

Abraham's Later Descendants

¶ Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.

And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

The Death and Burial of Abraham

And these are the days of the years of Abraham's life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;

The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

¶ And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

The Generations of Ishmael

Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

The Birth of Esau and Jacob

¶ And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

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

And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau Sells His Birthright

¶ And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Study Notes for Genesis 25

Verse 1

Keturah is described elsewhere as a concubine (v. 6), suggesting a secondary status to Sarah. This union demonstrates Abraham’s continued vitality, a testament to God's blessing of fertility even in his old age.

Verse 5

By giving all his possessions to Isaac, Abraham formally established him as the sole heir of the Covenant promises (land, seed, blessing), differentiating him from his other sons.

Verse 6

Sending the sons of the concubines eastward prevented future inheritance disputes and ensured that the covenant line (Isaac) remained distinct and central to the divine narrative.

Verse 8

To be 'gathered to his people' is a common biblical euphemism for death, often implying a peaceful end after a full life, fulfilling God’s earlier promise to Abraham (Gen 15:15).

Verse 9

Isaac and Ishmael coming together to bury their father suggests a final reconciliation or temporary truce between the half-brothers, fulfilling the broader prophecy regarding Ishmael.

Verse 11

The immediate blessing upon Isaac confirms the transfer of the covenant authority and promise, establishing him as the next patriarch.

Verse 12

This *toledot* ('generations') section wraps up the narrative thread concerning Ishmael, fulfilling God’s promise that he too would be fruitful and father a great nation (Gen 17:20).

Verse 16

The 'twelve princes' parallel the twelve tribes of Israel, highlighting God’s faithfulness to bless both of Abraham’s major lines, though the covenant focus remains on Isaac.

Verse 19

This new *toledot* formula transitions the narrative focus entirely to Isaac, the primary heir of the covenant.

Verse 20

Rebekah was from Paddan-aram (Mesopotamia), ensuring Isaac married outside the morally corrupt Canaanite culture, though still within Abraham’s broader familial kin.

Verse 21

The recurring theme of patriarchal barrenness (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel) emphasizes that the continuation of the covenant line is dependent solely upon God's miraculous intervention, not human capability.

Verse 22

Rebekah's direct inquiry of the LORD is unique among the patriarchs' wives. The struggle in the womb foreshadows the lifelong conflict between the two nations that will descend from her sons.

Verse 23

This divine oracle reverses the principle of primogeniture. This is a foundational theological statement affirming that God’s covenant election is based on sovereign choice, not birth order (cf. Rom 9:10-13).

Verse 25

Esau’s name is related to the Hebrew word for 'hairy.' His immediate description emphasizes his rugged, wild, and earthy character.

Verse 26

Jacob means 'heel-grabber' or 'supplanter.' The name is prophetic, hinting at his competitive nature and his eventual usurpation of his brother's position.

Verse 27

Esau represents the nomadic, rugged lifestyle ('man of the field'), while Jacob represents the settled, domestic life ('dwelling in tents'), establishing a fundamental contrast in temperament.

Verse 28

This parental favoritism causes deep division and sets the stage for the manipulation and strife that characterize the rest of the family narrative.

Verse 30

The name Edom, meaning 'red,' is given to Esau because of the 'red pottage.' This name later designates the nation descended from him, the Edomites.

Verse 31

The birthright included the double portion of the inheritance and the spiritual headship of the family, making it critical for the transmission of the covenant promise.

Verse 32

Esau’s hyperbolic statement reveals his lack of value for the long-term, spiritual inheritance. He prioritizes immediate physical gratification over lasting eternal promises.

Verse 34

This editorial comment provides the theological conclusion: Esau willfully rejected the sacred privilege of the birthright, confirming his profane character (cf. Heb 12:16), while Jacob showed zeal, albeit manipulative, for the covenant blessing.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Genesis25

Abraham's Later Descendants

The Death and Burial of Abraham

The Generations of Ishmael

The Birth of Esau and Jacob

Esau Sells His Birthright

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Options