Esau, in the Bible, is the elder twin son of Isaac and Rebekah and the brother of Jacob. His name means “hairy,” reflecting his physical appearance at birth, and he is often associated with themes of loss, particularly of his birthright and blessing, which he sold to his brother Jacob.
Scripture
19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac.
20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.
21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”
24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau.
26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob.
27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.
28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted.
30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.)
31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.”
32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?”
33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
Meaning of Esau in the Bible
Esau’s story in the Bible, primarily recounted in Genesis 25-36, carries profound implications about the themes of identity, loss, and the concept of sacrifice. He is depicted as a man of the field, a skilled hunter, and reflects a more earthly existence compared to his brother Jacob, who is characterized as a quiet man and a tent dweller. The act of selling his birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34) symbolizes a moment of weakness and immediate gratification that ultimately leads to significant long-term consequences—a loss that cannot be reclaimed. This narrative invites readers to consider the weight of choices and the implications of prioritizing the present over the future. Esau’s birthright was not just a matter of physical inheritance; it also represented his position as the head of the family, and by relinquishing it, he forfeited a vital part of his identity and destiny (Hebrews 12:16-17).
Moreover, Esau’s subsequent loss in the blessing saga, where Jacob deceives their father Isaac (Genesis 27), further highlights the struggle between the two brothers. Esau’s sorrow and anger after realizing he has been denied the blessing (Genesis 27:34-38) reflect the deep emotional and relational aspects of loss. Even though Esau ultimately reconciles with Jacob (Genesis 33:4), his story serves as a cautionary tale about the tensions within familial bonds, the complexity of sibling rivalry, and the irrevocability of certain choices. Theologically, Esau is sometimes viewed as a figure that embodies the struggle between flesh and spirit, as well as the consequences of decisions that prioritize immediate needs over long-term legacy. His narrative invites deeper reflection on our own values and the essence of what we are willing to sacrifice in the pursuit of goals—challenging us to consider what we may unknowingly trade away in moments of desperation or impulsivity.
Esau also emerges as a figure synonymous with themes of resilience and transformation in the biblical narrative. Following his contentious relationship with Jacob, Esau gradually redefines his identity apart from familial strife. As he settles in the land of Seir, he becomes the father of the Edomite nation, suggesting a shift from being seen solely as Jacob’s adversary to a significant leader in his own right. This transition symbolizes the possibility of regeneration, as Esau builds a lineage that diverges from the conflict with his brother. His story reflects an essential biblical principle: despite early missteps, individuals can forge new paths and define their destinies through their actions and choices, especially when they reconcile with their history.
Additionally, Esau represents a broader cultural and theological dichotomy between different nations. Throughout scripture, Edom, the lineage of Esau, is portrayed often in opposition to Israel, emphasizing themes of conflict and reconciliation. This portrayal serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the broader implications of familial legacies that extend beyond individual lives. The Edomites’ recurring presence in Israel’s narrative urges readers to explore the nuances of enmity and kinship, suggesting that our heritages can shape us in diverse and sometimes unexpected ways. Thus, Esau’s journey underscores the significance of identity formation, communal dynamics, and the ongoing narrative of kinship that extends beyond initial grievances, inviting contemplation on how we engage with both our personal and collective histories.
The Consequences of Impulsiveness
Esau’s character is often associated with impulsiveness and a lack of foresight. His decision to sell his birthright for a momentary satisfaction highlights the dangers of prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term benefits. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of making thoughtful decisions and the potential repercussions of acting on impulse.
The Theme of Reconciliation
Esau’s eventual reconciliation with his brother Jacob illustrates the possibility of forgiveness and healing within fractured relationships. Despite the betrayal he experienced, Esau’s willingness to embrace Jacob upon their reunion signifies the power of grace and the importance of overcoming past grievances. This theme resonates throughout the Bible, emphasizing the value of reconciliation in human relationships.
The Symbol of Two Nations
Esau is often viewed as a representation of two distinct nations: Israel and Edom. His lineage, which became the Edomites, serves as a backdrop for the historical and spiritual conflicts between these two groups. This duality reflects broader themes of rivalry, identity, and the complexities of divine purpose in the unfolding narrative of the biblical story.
How to Foster Peace and Reconciliation as a Christian
Fostering peace and reconciliation as a Christian is a beautiful journey that begins in our hearts and extends to our relationships with others. It’s essential to remember that Jesus called us to be peacemakers, as highlighted in Matthew 5:9, where He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Start by cultivating a spirit of forgiveness within yourself; let go of grudges and seek to understand those who may have wronged you. Engage in open, honest conversations, and listen actively to others’ perspectives, even when they differ from your own. Pray for guidance and the strength to be a vessel of God’s love, and don’t shy away from reaching out to those with whom you’ve had conflict. Remember, reconciliation is not just about resolving differences but also about building bridges of understanding and compassion. By embodying Christ’s love in our daily interactions, we can create a ripple effect of peace that reflects the heart of our faith.
Bible References to the Meaning of Esau:
Genesis 27:1-40: 27 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.”
2 And he said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death.
3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me,
4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”
5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it,
6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying,
7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you.
9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves.
10 Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”
11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.”
13 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves.
14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved.
15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.
16 And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.
17 Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”
19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”
20 Then Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.”
21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.”
22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”
23 Then he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him.
24 Then he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.”
25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.
26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.”
27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed!
28 May God give you of the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and plenty of grain and wine.
29 Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!
30 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31 As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
32 His father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” He answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”
33 Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, “Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”
34 As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!”
35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing.”
36 Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”
37 Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?”
38 Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.
39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: “Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be, and away from the dew of heaven on high.
40 By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; but when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck.
Genesis 32:1-21: 1 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp!” So he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4 He commanded them, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: Thus says your servant Jacob, ‘I have sojourned with Laban and stayed until now.
5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’”
6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.”
7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed.
8 for he thought, “I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”
9 And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps.
11 Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children.
12 But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’
13 So he stayed there that night, and from what he had with him he took a present for his brother Esau,
14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, twenty ewes and twenty rams,
15 thirty milking camels and their calves, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys.
16 He delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass on ahead of me and put a space between drove and drove.”
17 He commanded the first, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, ‘To whom do you belong? Where are you going? And whose are these ahead of you?’
18 then you shall say, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present sent to my lord Esau. And moreover, he is behind us.’”
19 And you shall say, ‘Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he thought, “I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”
20 and you shall say, ‘Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.’” For he thought, “I may appease him with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me.”
21 So the present passed on before him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.
Genesis 33:1-17: 1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants.
2 And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all.
3 He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
5 And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
6 Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down.
7 Then Leah also came forward with her children, and they bowed down.
8 Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company that I met?” Jacob answered, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”
9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”
10 But Jacob said, “No, please, if I have found favor in your sight, then accept my present from my hand. For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.
11 Please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” Thus he urged him, and he took it.
12 Then Esau said, “Let us journey on our way, and I will go ahead of you.”
13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are frail, and that the nursing flocks and herds are a care to me. If they are driven hard for one day, all the flocks will die.
14 Let my lord pass on ahead of his servant, and I will lead on slowly, at the pace of the livestock that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir.”
15 So Esau said, “Let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”
16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.
17 But Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built himself a house and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
Genesis 36:1-43: 1 These are the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).
2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite,
3 and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.
4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel,
5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
6 Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan.
7 For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.
8 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. Esau is Edom.
9 These are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.
10 These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Basemath the wife of Esau.
11 The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.
12 Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.
13 These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
14 These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife.
15 These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes.
17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
18 These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau’s wife: the chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah; these are the chiefs born of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife.
19 These are the sons of Esau, and these are their chiefs; the same is Edom.
20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
23 Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite
24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he pastured the donkeys of Zibeon his father.
25 The children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah.
26 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.
28 The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
29 These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
30 chiefs Magdiel, Iram
31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the people of Israel.
32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah.
33 Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
34 When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
35 Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place, the name of his city being Avith.
36 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
37 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
38 Then Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium,
39 Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place, the name of his city being Pau; his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
40 These are the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their clans and their dwelling places, by their names: the chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
41 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the people of Israel.
42 The sons of Esau: the chiefs of their families by their clans were: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
43 Magdiel, Iram.
Hebrews 12:14-17: Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Obadiah 1:1-21: 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”
2 Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised.
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rock,
in your lofty dwelling,
who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to the ground?”
4 Though you soar aloft like the eagle,
though your nest is set among the stars,
from there I will bring you down,
declares the Lord.
5 “If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night— how you have been destroyed!— would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings?”
6 How Esau has been pillaged,
his treasures sought out!
7 All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you— you have no understanding.
8 “Will I not on that day, declares the Lord, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau?”
9 And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter.
10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob,
shame shall cover you,
and you shall be cut off forever.
11 On the day that you stood aloof,
on the day that strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you were like one of them.
12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
13 Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity.
14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.
15 For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.
16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and shall be as though they had never been.
17 But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.
18 The house of Jacob shall be a fire,
and the house of Joseph a flame,
and the house of Esau stubble;
they shall burn them and consume them,
and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau,
for the Lord has spoken.
19 Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau,
and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines;
they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria,
and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
20 The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb.
21 Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.
Malachi 1:2-3: 1 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob”
3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.
Romans 9:10-13: 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.