Esau means “hairy”. Esau is also descriptively called “Edom” meaning “red”. He was the older twin brother of Jacob.
Esau was in the lineage of Abraham. He was the firstborn of twins to his 60 year-old father Isaac and his mother Rebekah. Esau grew to be a skillful hunter and “man of the field,” gaining the affection of his father Isaac.
As the firstborn, Esau would have inherited the birthright (a double portion of inherited possessions and leading authority.) Esau, however, despised and considered his birthright worthless and sold it to his twin brother Jacob in exchange for a bowl of red stew.
Despite contempt for his birthright, Esau wanted to receive the special blessing from his elderly father. Jacob, however, deceived Isaac into blessing him instead. As a result, Jacob obtained the spiritual and prophetic blessings indicated by God while the twins were still in the womb. Afterward, Esau threatened to murder Jacob, so Jacob fled and the twins remained estranged for many years. About 20 years later the brothers met without violence, and then again to bury Isaac when he died.
Esau upset his parents by marrying two Canaanite women and a daughter of Ishmael. Esau and his extensive family moved to what became known as Edom. Esau is known as the “father of the Edomites.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 25:21-34; 33:1-4; 35:29-36; Romans 9:10-13; Hebrews 12:16-17
