Genesis 25:30-34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 25:29-34

We have here a bargain made between Jacob and Esau about the birthright, which was Esau's by providence but Jacob's by promise. It was a spiritual privilege, including the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power, as well as the double portion, Gen. 49:3. It seemed to be such a birthright as had then the blessing annexed to it, and the entail of the promise. Now see, I. Jacob's pious desire of the birthright, which yet he sought to obtain by indirect courses, not agreeable to his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:30

And Esau said to Jacob, feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage ,.... Or, "with that same red F12 מנ־האדם האדם הזה "de rufo, rufo isto", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; so Piscator, Schmidt. , red"; not knowing what it was, or what it was made of, and therefore only calls it by its colour; and the word being doubled, may denote that it was very red; or he, being in haste and greedy of it through hunger, repeats it in a quick and short way: this pottage was made of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:31

And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright. Which had many privileges annexed to it, as honour and authority in the family next to parents; a double portion of inheritance; some say the exercise of priesthood, but that is questioned; the parental blessing, and especially in this the promises of the Messiah, and of inheritance of the land of Canaan, and which was typical of the heavenly inheritance: all which Rebekah knew by the divine oracle were designed for Jacob, and which no doubt... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:32

And Esau said, behold, I am at the point to die ,.... Or, "going to die" F25 הולך למות "vadens ad moriendum", Montanus. , going the way of all flesh; which he might say on account of the common frailty and mortality of man, and the brevity of life at most, or by reason of the danger of life he was always exposed to in hunting of wild beasts, as Aben Ezra suggests; or rather, because of his present hunger and faintness, which, unless immediately relieved, must issue in death. Dr.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:33

And Jacob said, swear unto me this day ,.... For the more sure and certain confirmation of the bargain; and by this oath oblige himself to let him peaceably enjoy the birthright, nor seek to revoke it, or dispute it with him, or disturb him in the possession of it: and he sware unto him ; that he would abide by the bargain, and never give him any trouble on that account; and hereby he made it over to Jacob as firm as it could be; God himself being appealed to as a witness of it, whose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 25:34

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles ,.... This shows what the pottage was made of, of which see Genesis 25:30 ; and that Jacob gave to Esau more than he asked and bargained for, bread as well as pottage; but neither of them until the bargain was made and swore to, and be had got the birthright secured unto him; as cunning as Esau, and as simple and plain as Jacob were, the latter outwitted the former, and was too crafty for him: and he did eat, and drink, and rose up, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:30

I am faint - It appears from the whole of this transaction, that Esau was so completely exhausted by fatigue that he must have perished had he not obtained some immediate refreshment. He had been either hunting or laboring in the field, and was now returning for the purpose of getting some food, but had been so exhausted that his strength utterly failed before he had time to make the necessary preparations. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:31

Sell me this day thy birthright - What the בחרה bechorah or birthright was, has greatly divided both ancient and modern commentators. It is generally supposed that the following rights were attached to the primogeniture: Authority and superiority over the rest of the family. A double portion of the paternal inheritance. The peculiar benediction of the father. The priesthood, previous to its establishment in the family of Aaron. Calmet controverts most of these rights, and with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:34

Pottage of lentils - See note Genesis 25:29 . Thus Esau despised his birthright - On this account the apostle, Hebrews 12:16 , calls Esau a profane person, because he had, by this act, alienated from himself and family those spiritual offices connected with the rights of primogeniture. While we condemn Esau for this bad action, (for he should rather have perished than have alienated this right), and while we consider it as a proof that his mind was little affected with Divine or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 25:30

Verse 30 30.Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage (34) Although Esau declares in these words that he by no means desires delicacies, but is content with food of any kind, (seeing that he contemptuously designates the pottage from its color only, without regard to its taste,) we may yet lawfully conjecture that the affair was viewed in a serious light by his parents; for his own name had not been given him on account of any ludicrous matter. In desiring and asking food he commits... read more

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