Genesis 25:33

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

And Jacob {H3290} said {H559}, Swear {H7650} to me this day {H3117}; and he sware {H7650} unto him: and he sold {H4376} his birthright {H1062} unto Jacob {H3290}.

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

“Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.

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

Commentary

Genesis 25:33 records a pivotal moment in the lives of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. This verse describes the completion of a transaction where Esau, the firstborn, sells his highly valuable birthright to his younger brother, Jacob, in exchange for a bowl of lentil stew.

Context

The immediate context, found in Genesis 25:29-32, sets the scene: Esau returns from the field, exhausted and famished. Jacob, ever opportunistic, has prepared a hearty meal. Seizing on Esau's desperation, Jacob demands the birthright as payment for the food. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the birthright (Hebrew: bekorah) was immensely significant, granting the firstborn son a double portion of the inheritance, leadership of the family, and a special spiritual blessing tied to the covenant promises made to Abraham. This cultural backdrop highlights the gravity of Esau's decision.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Despising of Spiritual Heritage: Esau's willingness to trade such a profound and lasting privilege for immediate gratification demonstrates a profound lack of regard for his spiritual inheritance. His hunger was intense, but his valuation of the birthright was virtually non-existent. This act is later condemned in the New Testament, where Esau is called "profane" (Hebrews 12:16) for this very reason.
  • Jacob's Cunning and Ambition: Jacob is portrayed as shrewd and calculating, leveraging his brother's weakness for his own gain. This event foreshadows future instances of Jacob's manipulative behavior, such as his deception of Isaac to receive the blessing in Genesis 27.
  • The Binding Nature of Oaths: Jacob insists on an oath ("Swear to me this day"), which Esau readily gives. In that culture, an oath was a solemn and binding commitment, often invoked before God. This made the transaction legally and spiritually irreversible, underscoring the finality of Esau's choice.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice: While God had already declared that "the elder shall serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23), Esau's action here shows his active participation in the unfolding of God's plan, albeit through his own misguided choices.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "birthright" is bekorah (בְּכֹרָה), emphasizing the status and privileges associated with being the firstborn. The term "sold" (Hebrew: makar, מָכַר) denotes a formal, legal transaction, not just a casual exchange, reinforced by the demand for an oath (Hebrew: shaba, שָׁבַע).

Practical Application

This narrative serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It encourages believers to value and guard their spiritual inheritance above fleeting desires or immediate gratification. It reminds us of the dangers of impulsive decisions driven by temporary needs and the importance of long-term perspective. Like Esau, we can be tempted to trade invaluable spiritual blessings for momentary comfort or pleasure, a choice that often leads to lasting regret and loss of privilege.

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

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 12:16 (6 votes)

    Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

  • Genesis 27:36 (4 votes)

    And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

  • Hebrews 6:16 (4 votes)

    For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.

  • Mark 6:23 (3 votes)

    And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give [it] thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

  • Genesis 36:6 (3 votes)

    And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.

  • Genesis 36:7 (3 votes)

    For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

  • Genesis 24:3 (3 votes)

    And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: