Genesis 25 28

Genesis 25:28 kjv

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25:28 nkjv

And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25:28 niv

Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25:28 esv

Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25:28 nlt

Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 28 meaning

This verse reveals a critical domestic dynamic within Isaac's family: the clear parental favoritism towards their twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Isaac harbored affection for Esau, rooted in the pleasure he derived from eating Esau's skillfully hunted game. In stark contrast, Rebekah's affection was singularly directed towards Jacob. This disunity in parental affection created an inherent division within the family, setting the stage for future conflict, deception, and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan concerning the lineage of the Abrahamic covenant.

Genesis 25 28 Context

Genesis chapter 25 marks a new generation within the patriarchal narrative, following Abraham's death and detailing Isaac's life. The immediate context for verse 28 begins with Rebekah's prolonged barrenness (25:21) and Isaac's fervent prayer, after which she conceives twins. Crucially, before their birth, Rebekah inquires of the Lord due to the intense struggle within her womb (25:22). The Lord's response (25:23) is a divine oracle: "Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the elder shall serve the younger." This prophecy directly establishes the divine pre-ordination of Jacob's eventual supremacy.

Verse 27 then introduces the divergent natures of the born twins: Esau, "a skillful hunter, a man of the field," and Jacob, "a peaceful man, dwelling in tents." This verse (25:28) then reveals the parental partiality that developed around these differing personalities and lifestyles, irrespective of, or perhaps even in conflict with, the divine decree. Historically and culturally, the firstborn son typically held a position of esteemed privilege and inheritance. Isaac's preference for Esau, the rugged hunter, aligns with cultural expectations of masculinity and provision. However, Rebekah's love for Jacob subtly leans into the prophetic word she received, demonstrating a parental division that would lead to significant family discord and eventually, the convoluted path by which God's chosen lineage would continue.

Genesis 25 28 Word analysis

• And Isaac loved: The Hebrew verb for "loved" is ’ahav (אָהַב), which denotes affection, attachment, or choice. Here, it indicates a deep personal fondness. For Isaac, this love for Esau was linked to immediate gratification, reflecting a human, rather than divinely guided, preference.
• Esau: The name ’Esav (עֵשָׂו) means "hairy" or "fully formed." Esau was the elder twin and depicted as a "man of the field," symbolizing robustness and self-reliance. Isaac's preference for him highlights a father's natural inclination towards the firstborn and the provider.
• because he did eat of his venison: The Hebrew reads ki-tzayid be-fiv (כִּי־צַיִד בְּפִיו), literally "because game was in his mouth." This specifies the sensory and physical basis for Isaac's affection. "Venison" (tzayid) refers to wild game obtained by hunting, valued for its taste and rarity. This demonstrates Isaac's love was contingent upon Esau's practical ability to satisfy his appetite, suggesting a love based on what Esau provided rather than who he was spiritually or what God had decreed. This worldly motivation stands in contrast to the spiritual legacy of the covenant.
• but Rebekah loved: The contrast is highlighted by the conjunction "but" (və), introducing Rebekah's differing affection. Her love for Jacob (also ’ahav, אָהֲבָה) was equally strong. Unlike Isaac's motive, the text does not specify why Rebekah loved Jacob in this verse. However, given her previous divine encounter and the prophecy (Gen 25:23) that the "elder shall serve the younger," her favoritism might stem from an awareness of God's revealed purpose or an intuitive understanding of Jacob's suitability for the Abrahamic heritage.
• Jacob: The name Ya`aqov (יַעֲקֹב) means "heel-grabber" or "supplanter." Jacob was born second and described as a "peaceful man, dwelling in tents." He represented a more contemplative, perhaps manipulative, indoor type, in contrast to Esau. Rebekah's affection for Jacob implies a discerning, though flawed, alignment with God's preordained plan, or simply a maternal preference for the quieter, perhaps more attentive son.

• "And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison": This phrase clearly states the basis of Isaac's love: sensual pleasure and the practical benefit derived from Esau's skills. It implies a limited, even shallow, foundation for parental affection, showing a potential blindness to deeper character or divine intention. Isaac's valuing of earthly provisions over spiritual lineage foreshadows the complications of the patriarchal blessing.
• "but Rebekah loved Jacob": This segment stands in direct opposition to Isaac's preference. The simple statement, without an immediate reason provided, sets up the narrative tension. This divided affection within the parents became the fertile ground for deception, family conflict, and manipulative schemes, especially concerning the birthright and the patriarchal blessing. It indicates a fundamental lack of unity and communication in the parents' approach to their children.

Genesis 25 28 Bonus section

This verse subtly introduces the complex interplay between divine election and human agency. While God had sovereignly declared His choice of Jacob over Esau before their birth, the parental favoritism detailed here reveals the flawed human means through which God’s ultimate purpose would, paradoxically, be realized. Isaac's preference for Esau, the "man of the field," might also reflect a patriarchal preference for the more traditionally "manly" son who embodied the nomadic hunter lifestyle, a contrast to Jacob, the "dweller in tents." The recurring theme of favoritism, first seen with Isaac and Ishmael, then with Jacob and Esau, and later with Jacob and Joseph, underscores a pervasive dysfunctional pattern within the families of the patriarchs. God, despite this human failing, consistently maintained His covenant promises and purposes, demonstrating His patience and sovereign control over history and salvation.

Genesis 25 28 Commentary

Genesis 25:28 succinctly introduces a critical dynamic: divided parental favoritism. Isaac's love for Esau was superficially based on the gratification derived from Esau's hunting skills, prioritizing physical pleasure over deeper considerations. This practical, carnal motivation shaped Isaac's worldview and decisions. Conversely, Rebekah's affection was centered on Jacob, though her reasoning isn't stated in this verse, it is widely understood to be influenced by the earlier divine prophecy (Gen 25:23). This disunity created a volatile household, where partiality became a pervasive issue. The parental discord foreshadowed and directly contributed to the deceptive events of chapter 27 and the enduring rivalry between the brothers and their descendants, Edom and Israel. While tragic in its human unfolding, this favoritism, ironically, served to set the stage for the fulfillment of God's sovereign decree that "the elder shall serve the younger," demonstrating His ability to work through imperfect human choices to accomplish His divine will. This verse serves as a potent warning against favoritism within families and its destructive consequences.