Genesis 25:31: Meaning Explained
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
Jacob says he'll give Esau the stew only if Esau sells him his birthright (the right as oldest son).
What’s Happening Here
Jacob makes a huge demand.
Key Words
Why It Matters
This verse reminds us that our most important spiritual blessings and identity in God's family are priceless and should never be traded for temporary, worldly satisfaction.
Did You Know?
In the original Hebrew, the word for 'birthright' (bekorah) implies both a double portion of inheritance and a position of family leadership and priesthood.
Tradition Spectrum
Word Study
Frequently asked questions
What does Genesis 25:31 mean?
Jacob says he'll give Esau the stew only if Esau sells him his birthright (the right as oldest son).
What is the context of Genesis 25:31?
Jacob makes a huge demand.
Why does Genesis 25:31 matter?
This verse reminds us that our most important spiritual blessings and identity in God's family are priceless and should never be traded for temporary, worldly satisfaction.
What's a surprising detail about Genesis 25:31?
In the original Hebrew, the word for 'birthright' (bekorah) implies both a double portion of inheritance and a position of family leadership and priesthood.
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]
People in Genesis 25:31
Commentary on Genesis 25:31
This vice of gluttony delivered Adam up to death; by the pleasure of the appetite consummate evil was brought into the world. Through it Noah was mocked, Canaan was cursed, Esau was deprived of his birthright and married into a Canaanite family. Lot became his own son-in-law and father-in-law, by marrying his own daughter.
Verses 29–34 We have here the bargain made between Jacob and Esau about the right, which was Esau's by birth, but Jacob's by promise. It was for a spiritual privilege; and we see Jacob's desire of the birth-right, but he sought to obtain it by crooked courses, not like his character as a plain man. He was right, that he coveted earnestly the best gifts; he was wrong, that he took advantage of his brother's need. The inheritance of their father's worldly goods did not descend to Jacob, and was not meant in this proposal. But it includeth the future possession of the land of Canaan by his children's children, and the covenant made with Abraham as to Christ the promised Seed. Believing Jacob va…