Genesis 25:34 kjv

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:34 nkjv

And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:34 niv

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:34 esv

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:34 nlt

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.

Genesis 25 verses

Genesis 25 34 Meaning

Genesis 25:34 concludes the narrative of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob. It states that after receiving bread and lentil stew, Esau ate, drank, and departed, signifying his immediate satisfaction and dismissive attitude. The verse explicitly declares that through these actions, Esau "despised" his birthright, meaning he treated it with contempt and scorn, valuing a temporary physical comfort over his invaluable and enduring spiritual and familial inheritance as the firstborn son.

Genesis 25 34 Context

Genesis 25:34 is the culmination of the preceding verses detailing the immediate transaction between Jacob and Esau. Esau, returning famished from hunting, casually bargains away his firstborn status for a single meal of bread and lentil stew. The context of the entire chapter introduces Esau and Jacob, born as twins, but with differing natures—Esau a skilled hunter, and Jacob a quiet man dwelling in tents. Crucially, before their birth, God prophesied to Rebekah that "the older shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23). This prophecy indicates a divine purpose that aligns with Esau's later actions of devaluing his inheritance. Historically and culturally, the birthright was incredibly significant, conferring leadership, a double portion of the family inheritance, and in this lineage, a unique connection to God's covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. Esau's contemptuous act illustrates his earthly priorities and sets the stage for God's ultimate selection and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through Jacob's lineage.

Genesis 25 34 Word analysis

• Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew:
  • gave (Hebrew: nātan - נָתַן): A straightforward verb for "to give." It emphasizes Jacob's active role in providing the requested sustenance, which forms the core of the immediate transaction.
  • bread (Hebrew: leḥem - לֶחֶם): A basic, everyday staple. Its commonality highlights the ordinary nature of what Esau received, contrasting sharply with the extraordinary value of what he relinquished.
  • lentil stew (Hebrew: nazîd 'ăḏāšîm - נָזִיד עֲדָשִׁים): Nazid refers to a boiled dish or stew, and 'ăḏāšîm are lentils, a readily available, inexpensive, yet nutritious pulse. The mention of this humble dish underscores the triviality of Esau's immediate desire in comparison to the sacred birthright. It implies Esau was hungry but also lacking discernment.
• and he ate and drank and rose and went his way:
  • ate (Hebrew: ʾākal - אָכַל), drank (Hebrew: šātāh - שָׁתָה), rose (Hebrew: qûm - קוּם), went his way (Hebrew: hālak - הָלַךְ): These are four concise, consecutive verbs, marked by the repetitive "and" (waw-consecutive). This sequence emphasizes the swiftness, impulsiveness, and lack of contemplation in Esau's actions. He satisfied his immediate physical craving and quickly moved on, showing no regret or consideration for the profound exchange he had just made. There is no pause for reflection or thought of the future implications.
• Thus Esau despised his birthright:
  • Thus: This adverb functions as a summary and interpretative conclusion by the narrator. It directly links Esau's previous actions (eating, drinking, departing casually) to the state of his heart concerning his inheritance.
  • Esau: The older son of Isaac, designated by God's prophecy to serve the younger. His character is revealed through this act, showing his focus on immediate physical gratification.
  • despised (Hebrew: bāzāh - בָּזָה): This is the pivotal word of the verse, meaning "to disdain," "to scorn," "to hold in contempt," or "to treat as worthless." It's stronger than merely "undervalued" or "sold." It indicates an active attitude of irreverence and a complete lack of regard for something immensely valuable. Esau did not simply give it up; he considered it trivial. This reveals his inner character.
  • his birthright (Hebrew: bĕkōrāh - בְּכֹרָה): This refers to the special privilege and inheritance of the firstborn son. In this patriarchal society, it typically included:
    1. A double portion of the father's inheritance: Giving economic and social advantage (Deut 21:17).
    2. Leadership of the family/clan: Implied authority and headship.
    3. Spiritual Headship: Most significantly for the descendants of Abraham, it meant inheriting the covenant blessings of God, becoming the bearer of the Abrahamic promise (Gen 12:3), the lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come. Esau's act of despising went beyond material loss; it was a rejection of the spiritual promises and the privileged position in God's covenant plan.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew": This phrase establishes the minimal, earthly gain Esau sought. It highlights the basic, perishable nature of the food that served as the "price" for his eternal inheritance.
• "he ate and drank and rose and went his way": This sequence of rapid, unceremonious actions graphically portrays Esau's utter casualness and indifference. There is no sign of deliberation, understanding of the gravity, or respect for what he had just surrendered. His satisfaction was momentary, his departure quick and thoughtless.
• "Thus Esau despised his birthright": This concluding statement is the divine assessment and narrative interpretation of Esau's preceding actions. It reveals his deep-seated attitude and the spiritual judgment against him. It's not just a commercial transaction; it's a profound spiritual failing, underscoring Esau's "godlessness" (Heb 12:16) and his preference for immediate gratification over lasting spiritual privilege.

Genesis 25 34 Bonus section

The narrative implicitly critiques materialistic or present-focused lifestyles that devalue the unseen and the eternal. Esau's action is not presented as an unfortunate lapse but as a revealing insight into his deep character—he genuinely held his birthright in contempt. This explains why God, though sovereign in His choice of Jacob, also operates justly through Esau's self-defeating actions. Esau, through his own choices, disqualified himself from the position that would lead the Abrahamic lineage, demonstrating the profound consequences of neglecting spiritual priorities. This story serves as a perennial warning within biblical theology: true value lies not in immediate satisfaction but in discerning and cherishing God's promises and purposes.

Genesis 25 34 Commentary

Genesis 25:34 succinctly exposes Esau's character and highlights a crucial spiritual principle. The physical act of selling his birthright for a single meal is less significant than the attitude revealed by it: his profound disdain (bāzāh) for his sacred inheritance. Esau's focus was entirely on the immediate, tangible gratification of his physical hunger. His quick actions of eating, drinking, and departing without reflection betray a lack of appreciation for long-term spiritual and generational blessings.

The birthright was not merely an economic advantage but a profound spiritual privilege tied to God's covenant with Abraham. It signified a special connection to the promised Messiah and the chosen lineage. Esau’s contempt for this sacred trust marked him as one who prioritizes the carnal over the spiritual, the transient over the eternal. This narrative teaches the danger of sacrificing lasting blessings for fleeting pleasures. It foreshadows the fate of those who are "worldly" or "profane" and serve their own appetites rather than God's purposes, echoing the New Testament warning in Hebrews against being godless like Esau.

For practical application, consider:

• What fleeting "lentil stews" might we exchange for our spiritual heritage in Christ (e.g., immediate pleasure for purity, earthly recognition for eternal reward, temporary comfort for spiritual growth)?
• Are we quick to satisfy our temporal desires at the expense of our eternal inheritance?