עֵשָׂו
Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity
Definition
עֵשָׂו (Esau) is the proper name of the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Jacob. In the biblical narrative, he is primarily known as the ancestor of the Edomites (Genesis 36:1, 9), a nation often in conflict with Israel. The name itself is etymologically linked to the Hebrew word for 'hairy' or 'rough,' a direct reference to his physical appearance at birth (Genesis 25:25). Beyond his personal identity, the name 'Esau' frequently functions as a collective term representing his descendants, the nation of Edom, especially in prophetic literature (e.g., Malachi 1:2-3).
Biblical Usage
The name Esau appears 82 times, predominantly in Genesis (especially chapters 25-36) where his life story is detailed, including the selling of his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) and the loss of his father's blessing (Genesis 27). Outside Genesis, the name is used in prophetic or historical contexts to refer to the nation of Edom, often as a foil to Jacob/Israel (e.g., Obadiah 1:6, 8-9; Jeremiah 49:8-10). A key pattern is the recurring phrase 'Jacob and Esau,' symbolizing the two nations and their enduring struggle.
Etymology
The name עֵשָׂו (Esau) is derived from the Hebrew root עָשָׂה (ʿāsâ, H6213), meaning 'to do' or 'to make.' It appears to be a form of the passive participle, suggesting 'made' or 'completed.' However, the biblical text explicitly connects it to his physical trait, stating he was born 'red, all his body like a hairy cloak' (Genesis 25:25), linking it to the word שֵׂעָר (śēʿār, H8181) for 'hair.' Thus, the name carries the connotation of 'hairy' or 'rough.'
Semantic Range
Esau is a pivotal theological figure representing the rejection of the covenant birthright for immediate, worldly satisfaction (Hebrews 12:16-17). His story with Jacob illustrates God's sovereign choice in election, as stated in Malachi 1:2-3 and Romans 9:13: 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.' Understanding the Hebrew name and its connection to 'Edom' (from the word for 'red,' Genesis 25:30) enriches the reading of prophetic judgments against Edom as a symbol of worldly opposition to God's people and purposes.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the rights of the firstborn (birthright) involved a double portion of inheritance and family leadership. Esau's casual dismissal of it for stew (Genesis 25:29-34) would have been seen as a shocking forfeiture of honor, identity, and future security. His subsequent marriage to Canaanite women (Genesis 26:34-35) further violated cultural and familial expectations, aligning him with peoples outside the covenant line.
אֱדוֹם (Edom, H123) — The nation descended from Esau, often used synonymously with his name in later texts. שֵׂעִיר (Seir, H8165) — The mountainous region inhabited by Esau's descendants, another name used for Edom.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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