Genesis 25: Two Nations, One Birthright
Abraham dies in peace, Isaac's twin sons are born struggling, and Esau trades his birthright for stew.
Genesis 25 (WEB)
1 Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
4 The sons of Midian: Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5 Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac,
6 but to the sons of Abraham’s concubines, Abraham gave gifts. He sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, to the east country.
7 These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years.
8 Abraham gave up the spirit, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
9 Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre,
10 the field which Abraham purchased of the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife.
11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.
12 Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bore to Abraham.
13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations.
17 These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up the spirit and died, and was gathered to his people.
18 They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.
19 This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac.
20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.
21 Isaac entreated Yahweh for his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it be so, why do I live?” She went to inquire of Yahweh.
23 Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.
26 After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
27 The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.
28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.
30 Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.
31 Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”
32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”
33 Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25 (KJV)
1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
4 And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.
6 But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
10 The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai–roi.
12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
13 And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
15 Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.
17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.
18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.
19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac:
20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan–aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 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.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25 (ASV)
1 And Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
4 And the sons of Midian: Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
5 And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.
6 But unto the sons of the concubines, that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts; and he sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
7 And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, a hundred threescore and fifteen years.
8 And Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
9 And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
10 the field which Abraham purchased of the children of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed Isaac his son: and Isaac dwelt by Beer-lahai-roi.
12 Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the first-born of Ishmael, Nebaioth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
14 and Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
15 Hadad, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
16 these are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments; twelve princes according to their nations.
17 And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, a hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died, and was gathered unto his people.
18 And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: he abode over against all his brethren.
19 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac:
20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.
21 And Isaac entreated Jehovah for his wife, because she was barren: and Jehovah was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, wherefore do I live? And she went to inquire of Jehovah.
23 And Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger.
24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
26 And after that came forth his brother, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.
28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint:
30 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.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me first thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am about to die: and what profit shall the birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me first; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: so Esau despised his birthright.
Summary
Abraham takes Keturah and fathers more sons, but gives all he has to Isaac before dying at one hundred seventy-five and being buried beside Sarah by Isaac and Ishmael. After Ishmael's descendants are listed, the focus turns to Isaac, who prays for his barren wife Rebekah. Yahweh answers, and she conceives struggling twins. The LORD tells her two nations are in her womb and the elder will serve the younger. Esau is born red and hairy, a hunter; Jacob grasps his heel and lives among the tents. One day a famished Esau comes from the field, and Jacob sells him stew in exchange for the birthright. Esau swears it away, eats, and rises up, and so he despises his birthright.
Main Characters
- Abraham — The aging patriarch who fathers more sons, gives everything to Isaac, and dies full of years.
- Isaac — The son of promise who entreats Yahweh for his barren wife and is blessed after his father's death.
- Rebekah — Isaac's wife, who conceives struggling twins and seeks the LORD to understand them.
- Esau — The firstborn hunter who, famished from the field, sells his birthright for a meal of stew.
- Jacob — The quiet twin who grasps his brother's heel and bargains for the birthright.
Key Verse
Genesis 25:23 (WEB)
Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
Lessons Learned
- God can answer long-delayed prayers in His own time, as He did for Isaac and Rebekah.
- When we are confused, the wisest response is to inquire of the LORD, as Rebekah did.
- Despising what God values for the sake of momentary appetite leads to lasting loss.
- God's purposes often overturn human expectations, choosing the younger over the elder.
- Persevering prayer honors God's timing. Isaac entreated Yahweh for his barren wife, and Yahweh was entreated by him (Genesis 25:21, WEB). Long waiting does not mean God is absent; He answers in season.
- God reveals His purposes to those who seek Him. When the children struggled, Rebekah went to inquire of Yahweh, and He spoke plainly to her (Genesis 25:22-23, WEB). He meets honest seekers with His word.
- God's choices rest on grace, not human ranking. Yahweh declared that the elder will serve the younger before the boys had done anything (Genesis 25:23, WEB). His plan unfolds by sovereign mercy.
- Appetite can blind us to lasting treasure. Esau said, 'I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?' (Genesis 25:32, WEB). Present cravings can make us careless with eternal things.
- What we despise reveals our hearts. Esau ate, drank, rose up, and went his way; so Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34, WEB). Our treatment of God's gifts exposes what we love.
- A faithful life can end in peace. Abraham died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years (Genesis 25:8, WEB). A life entrusted to God can close with quiet rest.
- What does it tell us that Isaac prayed for Rebekah for years before she conceived?
- Why do you think Rebekah went to inquire of Yahweh about the struggle within her?
- How does Esau's decision to sell his birthright reveal what he truly valued?
- Where in your own life are you tempted to trade something lasting for something immediate?
- How does God's word that 'the elder will serve the younger' challenge our assumptions about merit and status?
- Isaac's persistent prayer shows that faith waits on God without giving up; barrenness was not the end of the promise but an invitation to trust. Let the group reflect on prayers they are still waiting on.
- Rebekah models taking our confusion straight to God rather than to fear or speculation. He answered with a word that gave meaning to her struggle.
- Esau treated his birthright as worthless beside a single meal, showing that his appetites governed his choices. Lasting inheritance meant little when set against immediate comfort.
- This is a personal question; invite honest reflection. Help the group name areas where short-term relief tempts them to give up long-term blessing, and encourage accountability.
- God's word overturns the human assumption that the firstborn or the strongest deserves the most. His grace, not our rank, decides His purposes, which humbles our pride and comforts the overlooked.