Genesis 25:23

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 the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto her, Two {H8147} nations {H1471} are in thy womb {H990}, and two manner {H8147} of people {H3816} shall be separated {H6504} from thy bowels {H4578}; and the one people {H3816} shall be stronger {H553} than the other people {H3816}; and the elder {H7227} shall serve {H5647} the younger {H6810}.

who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."

and He declared to her: โ€œTwo nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.โ€

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

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 25:23 KJV

Genesis 25:23 records a pivotal prophetic utterance from the Lord to Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, concerning the destiny of her unborn twin sons. This verse is central to understanding the unfolding narrative of God's covenant people.

Context

After twenty years of barrenness, Rebekah conceived following Isaac's fervent prayer (Genesis 25:21). During her pregnancy, she experienced unusual and painful internal struggling, prompting her to "inquire of the LORD" (Genesis 25:22). This direct inquiry highlights Rebekah's faith and God's readiness to reveal His plans. The Lord's response in verse 23 immediately clarifies the intense internal conflict: it was a struggle between two future nations vying for supremacy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Election: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's sovereign hand in human history and national destinies. Before the twins, Jacob and Esau, were even born, God declared their future and the relationship between their descendants. This highlights that God's plan is not contingent on human merit or action, but on His own will and purpose, a theme later explored by Paul in Romans 9:11-13.
  • Prophecy of Nations: The declaration, "Two nations [are] in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels," signifies that Rebekah's sons would become the progenitors of distinct peoples. Jacob would be the father of the nation of Israel, and Esau the father of Edom. Their sibling rivalry would extend into national conflict for centuries.
  • Reversal of Primogeniture: The most striking part of the prophecy is, "and the elder shall serve the younger." In ancient Near Eastern culture, the firstborn son (the elder) typically received the birthright and the primary blessing, holding authority over his younger siblings. God's declaration here reverses this established order, underscoring His freedom to choose and elevate whom He wills, irrespective of tradition or natural precedence. This foreshadows Jacob's eventual acquisition of the birthright and the blessing over Esau, though through human means that were not always righteous.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the elder shall serve the younger" (Hebrew: ื•ึฐืจึทื‘ ื™ึทืขึฒื‘ึนื“ ืฆึธืขึดื™ืจ, v'rav ya'avod tza'ir) is a direct challenge to the patriarchal customs of the time. The Hebrew word rendered "serve" (ya'avod) can imply subservience, indicating that the nation descended from the elder (Edom) would ultimately be subject to the nation descended from the younger (Israel). This prophecy found partial fulfillment in various historical periods, such as during the reigns of King David (2 Samuel 8:14).

Practical Application

Genesis 25:23 reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity and nations. His plans are established even before birth, demonstrating His foreknowledge and ultimate control. For believers, this offers comfort and assurance that God's purposes will prevail, even amidst personal struggles or national turmoil. It also highlights that God's choice is based on His grace, not on human merit or birth order, encouraging humility and trust in His divine wisdom.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 27:40 (12 votes)

    And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.

  • Genesis 27:29 (11 votes)

    Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed [be] every one that curseth thee, and blessed [be] he that blesseth thee.

  • Romans 9:10 (11 votes)

    And not only [this]; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, [even] by our father Isaac;

  • Romans 9:13 (11 votes)

    As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

  • 2 Samuel 8:14 (9 votes)

    And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.

  • Malachi 1:2 (7 votes)

    I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? [Was] not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

  • Malachi 1:5 (7 votes)

    And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.