Genesis 25:31

KJV

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jacob {H3290} said {H559}, Sell {H4376} me this day {H3117} thy birthright {H1062}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

“First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied.

American Standard Version

And Jacob said, Sell me first thy birthright.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:31 records Jacob's shrewd and opportunistic demand to Esau: "Sell me this day thy birthright." This pivotal moment occurs as Esau, exhausted and famished from hunting, returns to find Jacob preparing a meal, setting the stage for a transaction that would profoundly alter the destiny of both brothers and the lineage of God's covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
This verse is situated within Genesis chapter 25, which introduces the contrasting natures of Isaac's twin sons, Jacob and Esau, even before their birth, alongside God's prophetic declaration that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The prophecy concerning Jacob and Esau")). The immediate preceding verse, [Genesis 25:30](/genesis/25-30 "Esau's desperate request for food"), captures Esau's desperate plea for food, "Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint." Jacob seizes this moment of his brother's extreme vulnerability and immediate physical need to make a calculated demand for the birthright, revealing his ambitious and calculating character and his deep desire for the familial inheritance and its associated blessings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text, "And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright," succinctly captures the essence of Jacob's character and the dramatic turning point in the brothers' relationship. Esau, having just returned from a grueling hunt, is depicted as utterly depleted and focused solely on his immediate physical hunger. Jacob, observing his brother's desperate state, does not offer food unconditionally but rather leverages Esau's vulnerability to secure a long-coveted prize.

* **The Birthright (Hebrew: _bekorah_):** This term refers to the significant rights and privileges traditionally bestowed upon the firstborn son in ancient patriarchal society. Beyond a double portion of the father's inheritance, it often included the spiritual headship of the family, the authority to lead the clan, and, crucially for Abraham's descendants, the continuation of the covenant promises made by God to Abraham and Isaac. It was not merely a material asset but a spiritual and ancestral legacy.
* **Jacob's Opportunism:** Jacob's immediate response to Esau's distress is not compassion but a calculated negotiation. His phrase "this day" emphasizes the urgency and immediacy of his demand, ensuring Esau has no time to reconsider or consult. This action foreshadows Jacob's later cunning in acquiring Isaac's blessing through deception ([Genesis 27:1-40](/genesis/27-1-40 "Jacob's deception to gain Isaac's blessing")).
* **Esau's Disregard:** Esau's willingness to even consider such a trade, let alone agree to it, highlights his profound lack of appreciation for the spiritual and long-term significance of his birthright. His priority is immediate physical gratification over a profound, lasting, and sacred inheritance. This impulsive decision is later condemned in the New Testament, where Esau is described as a "profane person" who "for one morsel of meat sold his birthright" ([Hebrews 12:16](/hebrews/12-16 "Esau called profane for despising his birthright")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Choice:** While God had already declared that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The prophecy concerning Jacob and Esau")), this event demonstrates how human choices, even flawed ones, can align with or fulfill God's sovereign plan, though not necessarily justifying the means.
* **Immediate Gratification vs. Eternal Value:** The exchange starkly contrasts the pursuit of momentary physical satisfaction with the profound worth of spiritual and future blessings. Esau's choice serves as a powerful warning against prioritizing temporary comfort over lasting inheritance.
* **The Nature of Inheritance:** The birthright in the Old Testament prefigures the spiritual inheritance believers receive in Christ, emphasizing that true value lies not in fleeting earthly possessions but in enduring spiritual realities.
* **Character Revelation:** This interaction reveals the distinct characters of Jacob (scheming, ambitious, valuing spiritual promises) and Esau (impulsive, materialistic, despising spiritual heritage).

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a timeless warning about the danger of trading away things of great spiritual or long-term value for immediate, fleeting pleasures. Just as Esau despised his birthright for a bowl of stew, we can sometimes be tempted to compromise our faith, integrity, or future blessings for temporary satisfaction, comfort, or worldly gain. It calls us to consider what we truly value and to guard against impulsive decisions driven by temporary desires, recognizing the profound worth of our spiritual inheritance in Christ. Our choices in moments of weakness or immediate need reveal our true priorities and can have lasting consequences, impacting not only our own lives but also our spiritual legacy.

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the birthright in ancient Israelite society?**

Answer: The birthright (Hebrew: *bekorah*) was a comprehensive set of privileges and responsibilities traditionally granted to the firstborn son. It included a double portion of the father's inheritance, the spiritual and social leadership of the family or clan, and, in the context of Abraham's descendants, the continuation of the covenant promises God made to their patriarchs. It was a position of both material wealth and spiritual authority.

**Was Jacob's action in demanding the birthright ethical?**

Answer: From a purely human ethical standpoint, Jacob's action was highly opportunistic and manipulative, exploiting his brother's desperate vulnerability. While his desire for the birthright may have stemmed from a greater appreciation for its spiritual significance than Esau's, his method was deceptive and lacked brotherly compassion. The Bible often records events without explicitly endorsing the ethical behavior of its characters, allowing the reader to discern the moral implications.

**Why did Esau agree to sell his birthright so easily?**

Answer: Esau's willingness to sell his birthright for a single meal highlights his impulsive nature and his lack of appreciation for the long-term spiritual and material value of his inheritance. He prioritized immediate physical comfort over a sacred and lasting legacy. His statement, "I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?" ([Genesis 25:32](/genesis/25-32 "Esau's justification for selling his birthright")), reveals a profound shortsightedness and a profane disregard for what was truly valuable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob and Esau's birthright exchange, particularly Esau's despising of his inheritance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as Esau traded an invaluable spiritual legacy for fleeting physical satisfaction, humanity, through sin, forfeited its true inheritance and relationship with God. Christ, however, is the ultimate "firstborn" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Christ as the firstborn of all creation")), the true heir of all things, who did not grasp His divine prerogative but emptied Himself ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's humility and obedience")), securing for us an eternal, imperishable inheritance through His sacrifice. Unlike Esau, who despised his birthright, Christ valued His Father's will and our redemption above all, offering Himself as the Lamb to restore us to a position of co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Believers as co-heirs with Christ")), ensuring that those who believe will never trade their spiritual birthright for the fleeting pleasures of this world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.