Genesis 25:25

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

And the first {H7223} came out {H3318} red {H132}, all over like an hairy {H8181} garment {H155}; and they called {H7121} his name {H8034} Esau {H6215}.

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].

The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau.

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

Commentary

Context of Genesis 25:25

Genesis 25:25 describes the birth of Esau, the firstborn twin son of Isaac and Rebekah. This event follows a period of barrenness for Rebekah, during which Isaac prayed for her (Genesis 25:21). Troubled by the struggle within her womb, Rebekah inquired of the Lord and received a significant prophecy: "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" (Genesis 25:23). This verse, therefore, marks the initial fulfillment of that divine declaration, introducing the first of these two foundational figures in Israel's history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Distinctive Appearance: Esau's immediate physical description as "red" and "hairy" is highly significant. These characteristics not only distinguish him from his brother Jacob but also foreshadow aspects of his future and the nation that would descend from him.
  • The Firstborn: As the first to emerge, Esau held the traditional rights and privileges of the firstborn son in ancient Near Eastern culture, including a double portion of the inheritance and the patriarchal blessing. This status, however, would later be undervalued by him and sought after by his younger brother, Jacob.
  • Prophetic Significance: Although the prophecy in Genesis 25:23 stated the elder would serve the younger, Esau's birth as the firstborn sets up the dramatic tension and narrative arc for how this divine plan would unfold through human actions and choices.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text provides rich descriptive detail:

  • "Red" (Hebrew: admoni): This term is closely related to the Hebrew word for "red" (adom) and also to Edom, the name given to the nation that descended from Esau. His "redness" is explicitly linked to his later decision to sell his birthright for "red pottage" (Genesis 25:30), leading to his nickname Edom.
  • "Hairy" (Hebrew: se'ar): This physical trait was so pronounced that it formed the basis of his name, Esau (Hebrew: Esav), which is thought to be derived from a root meaning "hairy" or "complete/made." This characteristic also becomes crucial later when Jacob attempts to deceive Isaac by imitating Esau's hairy arms (Genesis 27:11).

Practical Application

Genesis 25:25 reminds us that God's plan often unfolds in unexpected ways, even through natural processes like birth. Esau's physical distinctiveness highlights how individuals are uniquely created, yet their outward appearance does not necessarily define their spiritual destiny or character. The narrative of Esau and Jacob serves as a profound illustration of God's sovereign choice and purpose, demonstrating that His plans are not dependent on human conventions like birth order or physical attributes, but on His divine will, as later echoed in the New Testament concerning God's election (Romans 9:11-13).

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 27:11 (6 votes)

    And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother [is] a hairy man, and I [am] a smooth man:

  • Genesis 27:16 (4 votes)

    And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

  • Genesis 27:23 (4 votes)

    And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.