Genesis 25:27 kjv

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 25:27 nkjv

So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 25:27 niv

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.

Genesis 25:27 esv

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 25:27 nlt

As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 27 Meaning

Genesis 25:27 details the divergent natures and vocations of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, Esau and Jacob, as they mature. Esau is described as a skillful hunter, a rugged individual accustomed to the open wilderness, embodying a life of pursuit and physical prowess. In contrast, Jacob is depicted as a "plain" or "blameless" man, one who prefers a more settled and domestic life, remaining within the tents, indicative of a pastoral or quiet disposition. This verse immediately highlights the fundamental differences in their personalities and chosen lifestyles, setting the stage for their contrasting destinies and the subsequent narrative of divine election and familial struggle.

Genesis 25 27 Context

This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of the patriarchal period, specifically detailing the birth and early lives of Isaac's twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Immediately preceding it, Genesis 25:19-26 describes Rebekah's difficult pregnancy, the LORD's prophecy about "two nations...two peoples...one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23), and their distinct birth—Esau, red and hairy; Jacob, grasping his heel. Thus, Gen 25:27 elaborates on these initial distinctions by showcasing their divergent temperaments and vocations as they grow, solidifying their identities for the reader. This serves as a crucial bridge, transitioning from their birth to the pivotal events of the stolen birthright and blessing that follow, fulfilling the divine prophecy regarding their future roles. The historical context reflects a semi-nomadic society where hunting and shepherding were primary livelihoods, contrasting distinct modes of life and values within a family.

Genesis 25 27 Word analysis

• And the boys grew: vayigdelu ha-n'arim (וַיִּגְדְּלוּ הַנְּעָרִים)
  • grew: vayigdelu (וַיִּגְדְּלוּ) from gadal (גָּדַל), meaning "to grow up," "become great," "magnify." Implies their development from infants to young men capable of independent vocations.
• and Esau was: vayehi Esaw (וַיְהִי עֵשָׂו)
  • Esau: Esaw (עֵשָׂו), related to the Hebrew word for "hairy" (se’ar), reflecting his physical description at birth (Gen 25:25) and setting the tone for his rugged, outdoor persona.
• a cunning hunter: ish yodea` tzayid (אִישׁ יֹדֵעַ צַיִד) - literally, "a man knowing hunting."
  • cunning: yodea` (יֹדֵעַ), from yada` (יָדַע), "to know." Here, it signifies not merely knowing, but being knowledgeable, experienced, proficient, skillful, or even masterly. Some interpretations suggest shrewdness or artfulness, implying a strategic approach to hunting.
  • hunter: tzayid (צַיִד), "hunting" or "game" (what is caught). It specifies Esau's occupation.
• a man of the field: ish sadeh (אִישׁ שָׂדֶה)
  • man of the field: ish sadeh (אִישׁ שָׂדֶה) lit. "man of the field." Denotes one who lives outdoors, in open country, associated with wilderness, farming, or tending livestock, distinct from urban or domestic life. It reinforces his rugged, wild, and unrestrained character. It can suggest a connection to raw nature and a lack of refined social skills.
• and Jacob was: v'Ya`aqov (וְיַעֲקֹב)
  • Jacob: Ya`aqov (יַעֲקֹב), meaning "heel-grabber" or "supplanter." While not directly defined here, his name, along with this description, foreshadows his later character arc and his role in God's plan.
• a plain man: ish tam (אִישׁ תָּם) - literally, "a man of completeness/integrity."
  • plain: tam (תָּם), derived from tamam (תָּמַם), "to be complete," "finished," "blameless," "whole," "upright." This word is significant:
    • Some translations render it "simple" or "quiet," suggesting a domestic, unpretentious, or perhaps naive disposition, which might play into his ability to outwit Esau later.
    • Other significant translations like "blameless" or "upright" (as used for Noah in Gen 6:9 or Job in Job 1:1) imply moral integrity, wholeness, or sincerity, contrasting with Esau's potentially less restrained nature. This would mean Jacob, despite his later deception, had a fundamental uprightness in God's eyes or was designated for a higher purpose. The contrast is between Jacob's consistent, principled approach and Esau's wild, unrestrained lifestyle.
• dwelling in tents: yoshev ohalim (יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים) - literally, "sitting (or dwelling) tents."
  • dwelling in tents: yoshev ohalim (יֹשֵׁב אֹהָלִים) indicates a sedentary, pastoral, or domestic lifestyle. It ties Jacob to the traditional nomadic life of Abraham and Isaac (Heb 11:9), associating him with the continuation of the patriarchal heritage, family life, and perhaps intellectual or spiritual pursuits within the security of the home. This starkly contrasts Esau's outdoor, roving life.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field" vs. "Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents": This parallel antithesis serves as a vivid literary device to establish the characters' foundational differences. Esau's descriptions are active and externally focused (hunting, field), while Jacob's are more internal and domestic (plain, tents). This immediate characterization sets the stage for their diverging destinies and highlights the divine election theme, where God chooses the "plain" over the outwardly robust.
• "Cunning hunter" and "man of the field": These phrases together paint a picture of a rough, strong, independent individual, oriented towards survival in the wild, likely favoring physical prowess over domestic life. This also hints at a preference for immediate gratification (e.g., selling his birthright for stew).
• "Plain man" and "dwelling in tents": These phrases together define Jacob's character. If "plain" means simple, it highlights his unpretentious nature; if it means blameless/complete, it emphasizes his moral integrity and suitability for God's covenant. His "tent-dwelling" roots him in the lineage of Abraham and Isaac, suggesting continuity of their faith-based nomadic life, focusing on family, lineage, and connection to their heritage. This stable domesticity contrasts with Esau's outward, less tethered life.

Genesis 25 27 Bonus section

The seemingly simple vocational choices described in Genesis 25:27 have profound implications. Esau's love for the hunt and the "field" indicates a personality that valued freedom, immediacy, and self-reliance, potentially leading him to despise spiritual birthright for a temporal hunger (Gen 25:34, Heb 12:16). Conversely, Jacob's quiet, tent-dwelling nature aligns him with the continuity of the covenant promises, symbolizing a focus on lineage, domestic stability, and, implicitly, the quiet pursuit of the divine inheritance. This contrast highlights that character and disposition, shaped by personal choices and predilections, often serve as a backdrop against which God's sovereign plan unfolds. The physical and personality traits mentioned here are not merely coincidental but are interwoven into the divine narrative, emphasizing God's foresight and ultimate choice in guiding the destiny of nations. It's a reminder that sometimes the 'unimpressive' or 'simple' can be the chosen instrument for significant divine purposes.

Genesis 25 27 Commentary

Genesis 25:27 presents a foundational contrast between Esau and Jacob, moving beyond their distinct births to delineate their mature dispositions and vocations. Esau's description as a "cunning hunter" and "man of the field" portrays him as vigorous, skillful, and robust, preferring the wild, untamed spaces to domestic life. This signifies a person driven by immediate, tangible outcomes and physical pursuits. In sharp contrast, Jacob, the "plain man dwelling in tents," embodies a quieter, more domestic, and perhaps more thoughtful existence. The interpretation of "plain" (Hebrew: tam) is crucial: it can mean simple or unsophisticated, emphasizing a less guileful nature, or it can denote blamelessness, integrity, and moral wholeness, marking him as someone suitable for God's purposes, despite his future manipulative actions. His tent-dwelling roots him in the patriarchal heritage, associating him with the faith and covenant of Abraham and Isaac, setting him apart from the wild pursuits of his brother.

This verse is more than a simple description; it's a critical exposition of character that foreshadows the divine election already declared to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23 ("the older shall serve the younger") and prepares the reader for the subsequent conflicts, particularly the selling of the birthright. The disparate lifestyles illustrate differing values: Esau prioritizes the physical and immediate, while Jacob, irrespective of his initial methods, is set apart for a role connected to spiritual inheritance and family lineage. The tension between their vocations reflects their deeper spiritual inclinations and choices, which ultimately contribute to the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan.