Genesis 25:27 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:19-28

We have here an account of the birth of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah: their entrance into the world was (which is not usual) one of the most considerable parts of their story; nor is much related concerning Isaac but what had reference to his father while he lived and to his sons afterwards. For Isaac seems not to have been a man of action, nor much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness and silence. Now concerning Jacob and Esau we are here told, I. That they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:27

And the boys grew ,.... In stature, became strong and fit for business, and betook themselves to different employments: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field : whose business lay in tilling and sowing it, which his father Isaac followed sometimes; or rather he chose to range about the field and hunt after beasts and birds, in which he was very expert, and contrived traps and snares to catch them in; and this course of life was most agreeable to his temper and disposition,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:27

A man of the field - שדה איש ish sadeh , one who supported himself and family by hunting and by agriculture. Jacob was a plain man - תם איש ish tam , a perfect or upright man; dwelling in tents - subsisting by breeding and tending cattle, which was considered in those early times the most perfect employment; and in this sense the word תם tam , should be here understood, as in its moral meaning it certainly could not be applied to Jacob till after his name was changed, after... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:27

Verse 27 27.And the boys grew. Moses now briefly describes the manners of them both. He does not, indeed, commend Jacob on account of those rare and excellent qualities, which are especially worthy of praise and of remembrance, but only says that he was simple. The word תם (tam,) although generally taken for upright and sincere, is here put antithetically. After the sacred writer has stated that Esau was robust, and addicted to hunting, he places on the opposite side the mild disposition of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 25:19-34

Divine purposes unfolded. We are now entering a new stage of the sacred history, where we are looking less upon the development of one man's character than upon the unfolding purposes of Jehovah in the family with which he has made his covenant. Again we are in the region of— 1. Gracious interposition . 2. Supernatural assistance of human infirmity . 3. Prophetic announcements . The atmosphere is that of the covenant. The children in the womb are two nations. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 25:19-34

- LIII. Birth of Esau and Jacob20. פדן padān, Paddan, “plowed field;” related: “cut, plow.”25. עשׂי ‛êśâv, ‘Esaw, “hairy, or made.”26. יעקב ya‛ăqôb, Ja’aqob, “he shall take the heel.”27. תם tām, “perfect, peaceful, plain.” The epithet refers to disposition, and contrasts the comparatively civilized character of Jacob with the rude temper of Esau.30. אדים 'ědôm, Edom, “red.”The ninth document here begins with the usual phrase, and continues to the end of the thirty-fifth chapter. It... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 25:27

Genesis 25:27. Jacob was a plain man This probably means, that he was of a mild and gentle nature, of a contemplative turn of mind, and delighting in a pastoral life. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:19-34

25:19-28:9 ISAAC PASSES ON THE INHERITANCEIsaac’s two sons (25:19-34)After being childless for twenty years, Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons. The characters of the two sons proved to be opposites, and this was later reflected in the two nations that were descended from them. God appointed that the elder, Esau, should serve the younger, Jacob (19-26). But that did not excuse the worthlessness of Esau in selling his right as the eldest son (cf. Hebrews 12:16-17). Nor did it excuse the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 25:27

cunning = knowing or skilled in. a man of the field. "The field is the world. " plain = upright or pure. Job 1:1 , Job 1:8 ; Job 2:3 , &c. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 25:27-34

ESAU SELLS THE BIRTHRIGHT"And the boys grew: and Esau was a skilled hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me first thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I... read more