Bible Verses About Jacob

When the time for her delivery came, there were twins in her womb.

The first to come out was reddish and covered all over with hair, like a coat; so they named him 'Esav [completely formed, that is, having hair already].

Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants]. Yitz'chak was sixty years old when she bore them.

One day when Ya'akov had cooked some stew, 'Esav came in from the open country, exhausted,

and said to Ya'akov, "Please! Let me gulp down some of that red stuff - that red stuff! I'm exhausted!" (This is why he was called Edom [red].)

Ya'akov answered, "First sell me your rights as the firstborn."

"Look, I'm about to die!" said 'Esav. "What use to me are my rights as the firstborn?"

Ya'akov said, "First, swear to me!" So he swore to him, thus selling his birthright to Ya'akov.

Then Ya'akov gave him bread and lentil stew; he ate and drank, got up and went on his way. Thus 'Esav showed how little he valued his birthright.

In the course of time, after Yitz'chak had grown old and his eyes dim, so that he couldn't see, he called 'Esav his older son and said to him, "My son?" and he answered, "Here I am."

"Look, I'm old now, I don't know when I will die.

Therefore, please take your hunting gear - your quiver of arrows and your bow; go out in the country, and get me some game.

Make it tasty, the way I like it; and bring it to me to eat. Then I will bless you [as firstborn], before I die."

Rivkah was listening when Yitz'chak spoke to his son 'Esav. So when 'Esav went out to the country to hunt for game and bring it back,

she said to her son Ya'akov, "Listen! I heard your father telling 'Esav your brother,

'Bring me game, and make it tasty, so I can eat it. Then I will give you my blessing in the presence of ADONAI, before my death.'

Now pay attention to me, my son; and do what I tell you.

Go to the flock, and bring me back two choice kids. I will make it tasty for your father, the way he likes it;

and you will bring it to your father to eat; so that he will give his blessing to you before his death."

Ya'akov answered Rivkah his mother, "Look, 'Esav is hairy, but I have smooth skin.

Suppose my father touches me -he'll know I'm trying to trick him, and I'll bring a curse on myself, not a blessing!"

But his mother said, "Let your curse be on me. Just listen to me, and go get me the kids!"

So he went, got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared them in the tasty way his father loved.

Next, Rivkah took 'Esav her older son's best clothes, which she had with her in the house, and put them on Ya'akov her younger son;

and she put the skins of the goats on his hands and on the smooth parts of his neck.