Genesis 25:29 kjv

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

Genesis 25:29 nkjv

Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.

Genesis 25:29 niv

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.

Genesis 25:29 esv

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted.

Genesis 25:29 nlt

One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 29 Meaning

Genesis 25:29 describes a seemingly ordinary scene where Jacob is preparing food, specifically lentil stew, and his twin brother, Esau, arrives from his outdoor pursuits, extremely weary and hungry. This simple domestic scene sets the immediate stage for the crucial event of Esau despising and selling his birthright for a single meal, a moment pivotal in the narrative of these brothers and the divine plan for their descendants. It introduces the differing characters and priorities that will define their future relationship and the lineage of God's covenant.

Genesis 25 29 Context

Genesis chapter 25 provides the introduction to the twins, Jacob and Esau, born to Isaac and Rebekah, in fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. Verse 23 details the prophetic oracle given to Rebekah: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." This divine pronouncement sets the stage for the narrative, contrasting with cultural norms where the firstborn held supremacy. Verses 27-28 depict their distinct characteristics: Esau, a man of the field and hunter, favored by Isaac; Jacob, a quiet man living in tents, favored by Rebekah. Verse 29, the focus of this analysis, directly precedes Esau selling his birthright to Jacob, an event that profoundly shapes their individual destinies and the future of their respective descendants (Israel and Edom). It's a foundational moment illustrating the clash between worldly impulsiveness and calculating ambition, ultimately serving God's predetermined plan.

Genesis 25 29 Word analysis

• Once (וַיָּזֶד - vayyazed): This is a specific form of the verb "to boil" or "to cook." While often translated as simply "once" or "now," some linguistic connections of the root zud can imply acting arrogantly or presumptuously. While primarily referring to cooking, in the context of Jacob's future cunning and the pivotal event, it adds a subtle layer of meaning for those sensitive to deeper Hebrew wordplays. It highlights Jacob's deliberate action in preparing the meal.
• Jacob (יַעֲקֹב - Ya‘aqobh): His name means "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," indicative of his character and future actions. Here, he is the active one, initiating the preparation of the stew, laying a trap by implication.
• was cooking (מְבַשֵּׁל - məbashshel): A participle form, emphasizing an ongoing action. Jacob was in the process of preparing a meal, signifying domesticity and a more settled life compared to Esau.
• some stew (נָזִיד - nazidh): Specifically refers to a "pottage" or "stew," likely a lentil stew. The term for lentil (אֲדֻמִּים - ‘adummim) comes from the root for "red," which directly links to Esau's nickname "Edom" (אֱדוֹם - ’Edowm) also meaning "red" (Gen 25:30). This subtle color motif foreshadows the reason for the sale and Esau's identity.
• Esau (עֵשָׂו - ‘Esaw): His name is thought to mean "hairy" or "complete/made." He represents a physically robust and unreflective character.
• came in (בָּא - ba’): A simple verb, denoting his arrival back home.
• from the open country (מִן־הַשָּׂדֶה - min-hassadeh): Literally "from the field." This phrase underscores Esau's identity as a hunter and outdoorsman, contrasting sharply with Jacob's domestic setting. It implies strenuous physical exertion, which contributes to his severe exhaustion.
• famished (עָיֵף - ‘ayef): This is a strong descriptor, meaning "faint," "weary," "exhausted," or "spent." It goes beyond mere hunger, conveying a state of physical debilitation. This extreme hunger is the leverage Jacob uses, and it is also the state that clouds Esau's judgment regarding the true value of his birthright.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Once when Jacob was cooking some stew": This phrase immediately highlights Jacob's practical, perhaps shrewd, character. He is not merely waiting but actively engaged in an ordinary domestic task that unexpectedly (or intentionally) presents an opportunity. The "stew" being red adds symbolic depth connecting to Esau's future "red" identity.
• "Esau came in from the open country": This paints a picture of Esau as robust but untamed, weary from his outdoor pursuits. It signifies his physicality and his disconnect from the domestic values, setting a physical backdrop for his emotional and spiritual state.
• "famished": This single word provides the psychological and physical catalyst for Esau's hasty decision. His extreme hunger, a basic physiological need, overrides all rational consideration of the spiritual and familial value of his birthright. It underscores the weakness of a character driven purely by immediate gratification.

Genesis 25 29 Bonus section

• Typological Significance: Esau, in his rejection of the birthright for temporary gratification, can be seen as a type for those who despise God's promises or spiritual blessings for worldly pursuits or immediate comfort (referenced explicitly in Heb 12:16-17). Conversely, Jacob, despite his flaws, persistently desired the spiritual inheritance.
• Irony of Name: Esau, often linked to the idea of being "complete" or "made," paradoxically becomes incomplete by giving away his most valuable inheritance. Jacob, the "supplanter," here acts true to his name in seizing the opportunity presented by his brother's weakness.
• Red Symbolism: The "red" (אדם - adom) lentil stew directly connects to Esau being renamed "Edom" (אדום - Edowm), further cementing his identity with his momentary craving. This subtle wordplay underscores the lasting consequence of his impetuous decision, etching it into the very name of his posterity.
• A "Homebody" and "Hunter": The verse sharply contrasts Jacob the homebody, nurturing domesticity, with Esau the hunter, engaged with the external world. This foundational difference in their disposition underpins the future conflicts and divine choices.

Genesis 25 29 Commentary

Genesis 25:29, though brief, is a pregnant moment in the unfolding drama of Jacob and Esau, brothers destined to be the progenitors of nations. It's not merely a casual observation but the precise setup for the seminal event of the birthright exchange. Jacob, the "heel-grabber" by name, is depicted engaging in a simple, domestic act of cooking. This mundane scene provides a stark contrast to Esau, the rugged outdoorsman and hunter, who returns utterly depleted. Esau's condition as "famished" is key; it signifies not just hunger, but deep physical exhaustion, weakening his resolve and judgment.

This verse lays bare the contrasting priorities and characters of the twins. Jacob is methodical, perhaps opportunistic, preparing a humble lentil stew – the very "redness" of which becomes entwined with Esau's nickname, Edom, literally "red." Esau, on the other hand, is a man of immediate physical impulses, his value system easily swayed by the exigencies of the moment. His severe hunger blinds him to the immense spiritual, social, and economic significance of his birthright.

The apparent triviality of the stew belies the profundity of the impending transaction. This scene underscores the critical biblical theme of valuing spiritual inheritance over immediate physical comfort or pleasure. Esau’s readiness to trade an inestimable blessing for a meal typifies a worldly perspective that sacrifices the eternal for the temporal, highlighting a spiritual recklessness. Conversely, Jacob’s willingness to exploit such a weakness, while morally questionable, reveals his own deep-seated desire for the promises connected to the birthright, foreshadowing his tenacious pursuit of blessing from God himself. Thus, this seemingly simple verse profoundly reveals character, sets a pivotal plot point, and hints at the divine orchestration that aligns with the prophetic word of God regarding these two brothers.