Esau

Also known as: Edom · Family: patriarchs · Role: Isaac's son · First appears: Genesis 25

Esau was born as the twin brother of Jacob to Isaac and Rebekah, and Isaac loved him for the venison he provided. In Genesis 25, he swore and sold his birthright to Jacob for bread and lentil pottage: “And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.” At forty, Esau took Judith and Bashemath as wives, causing grief to Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac later commanded him to hunt for venison and gave him a blessing that included serving Jacob until he could break his brother’s yoke; Esau wept and hated Jacob because of the blessing, resolving to kill him after their father’s death. He then took Mahalath as another wife, while Jacob was sent to Laban, Rebekah’s brother.

When Jacob returned, he sent messengers to Esau in Seir and sought his favor, while Esau came with four hundred men. Jacob sent him a large gift of livestock, and the brothers reconciled when “Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.” Esau accepted the gift and returned that day to Seir.

After Isaac died, Esau and Jacob buried him together. In Canaan, Esau took Adah, Aholibamah, and Bashemath as wives, and became the father of Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. He later moved his household away from Jacob and settled in mount Seir, where he was called Edom; God gave mount Seir to Esau for a possession.