New International VersionOnce when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.
New Living TranslationOne day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry.
English Standard VersionOnce when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted.
Berean Standard BibleOne day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.
King James BibleAnd Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
New King James VersionNow Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.
New American Standard BibleWhen Jacob had cooked a stew one day, Esau came in from the field and he was exhausted;
NASB 1995When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished;
NASB 1977And when Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished;
Legacy Standard BibleAnd Jacob had cooked stew. And Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.
Amplified BibleJacob had cooked [reddish-brown lentil] stew [one day], when Esau came from the field and was famished;
Christian Standard BibleOnce when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field exhausted.
Holman Christian Standard BibleOnce when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field exhausted.
American Standard VersionAnd Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint:
Contemporary English VersionOne day, when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came home hungry
English Revised VersionAnd Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationOnce, Jacob was preparing a meal when Esau, exhausted, came in from outdoors.
Good News TranslationOne day while Jacob was cooking some bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was hungry
International Standard VersionOne day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau happened to come in from being outdoors, and he was feeling famished.
NET BibleNow Jacob cooked some stew, and when Esau came in from the open fields, he was famished.
New Heart English BibleNow Jacob was cooking stew, and Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd Jacob boiled pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOne day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.
World English BibleJacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Jacob boils stew, and Esau comes in from the field, and he [is] weary;
Young's Literal Translation And Jacob boileth pottage, and Esau cometh in from the field, and he is weary;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Jacob will boil a boiling, and Esau will come from the country, and he faint. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Jacob boiled Pottage: to whom Esau, coming faint out of the field,
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen Jacob boiled a small meal. Esau, when he had arrived weary from the field,
New American BibleOnce, when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.
New Revised Standard VersionOnce when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jacob cooked pottage, and behold, his brother Esau came in from the field, and he was very hungry;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Yaquuv boiled stew, and behold, Esau his brother came from the field and he was famished: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Jacob sod pottage; and Esau came in from the field, and he was faint.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Jacob cooked pottage, and Esau came from the plain, fainting.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Esau Sells His Birthright29One day, while Jacobwas cookingsome stew,Esaucame infromthe fieldandwas famished.30He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.)…
Cross References Hebrews 12:16See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.
Romans 9:10-13Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ...
Genesis 27:36So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”
Genesis 27:30-34As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him and Jacob had left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from the hunt. / He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.” / But his father Isaac replied, “Who are you?” “I am Esau, your firstborn son,” he answered. ...
Genesis 27:41Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”
Malachi 1:2-3“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
Genesis 26:34-35When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.
Genesis 28:6-9Now Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife there, commanding him, “Do not marry a Canaanite woman,” / and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram. / And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, ...
Genesis 32:3Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
Genesis 33:1-4Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. / He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. / But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. ...
Genesis 36:1-8This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom). / Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, / and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. ...
Obadiah 1:10-12Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress.
1 Chronicles 1:34Abraham was the father of Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
Deuteronomy 21:15-17If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.
1 Samuel 14:24-31Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food. / Then all the troops entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground. / And when they entered the forest and saw the flowing honey, not one of them put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ...
Treasury of Scripture And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: A. Judges 8:4,5 And Gideon came to Jordan,and passed over, he, and the three hundred men thatwere with him, faint, yet pursuingthem… 1 Samuel 14:28,31 Then answered one of the people, and said, Thy father straitly charged the people with an oath, saying, Cursedbe the man that eatethany food this day. And the people were faint… Proverbs 13:25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want. Jump to Previous BoiledBoilingCookedCookingCountryDishEsauFaintFamishedFieldFieldsFoodGreatJacobNeedOnceOpenPottageSodSoupStewWearyJump to Next BoiledBoilingCookedCookingCountryDishEsauFaintFamishedFieldFieldsFoodGreatJacobNeedOnceOpenPottageSodSoupStewWearyGenesis 25 1.The sons of Abraham by Keturah.5.The division of his goods.7.His age, death, and burial.11.God blesses Isaac.12.The generations of Ishmael.17.His age and death.19.Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.22.The children strive in her womb.24.The birth of Esau and Jacob.27.Their different characters and pursuits.29.Esau sells his birthright.One day, while Jacob was cooking some stewJacob, the younger twin of Isaac and Rebekah, is depicted here engaging in domestic activities, which contrasts with his brother Esau's more rugged, outdoor lifestyle. This scene sets the stage for a pivotal moment in their relationship. Cooking stew suggests a settled, pastoral life, which aligns with Jacob's character as a "quiet man, dwelling in tents" ( Genesis 25:27). The act of cooking can symbolize preparation and foresight, traits that Jacob exhibits throughout his life. This moment foreshadows the significant exchange that will occur, highlighting Jacob's cunning nature. Esau came in from the field Esau, the elder twin, is characterized by his skills as a hunter and his connection to the outdoors. His return from the field indicates his active, labor-intensive lifestyle. The field represents the world and its pursuits, which can be seen as a metaphor for Esau's focus on immediate, physical needs over spiritual or long-term considerations. This moment underscores the contrast between Esau's impulsive nature and Jacob's strategic thinking. The field also connects to the broader biblical theme of labor and toil, reminiscent of the curse inGenesis 3:17-19. and was famished Esau's physical hunger is a critical element in this narrative, as it drives the subsequent exchange of his birthright for a meal. This hunger symbolizes a deeper spiritual emptiness and lack of discernment. In biblical terms, famished can represent a state of spiritual need or desperation, as seen in other scriptures where physical hunger parallels spiritual longing (e.g.,Psalm 42:1-2). Esau's prioritization of immediate gratification over his birthright reflects a broader biblical warning against valuing temporal desires over eternal blessings, as later emphasized inHebrews 12:16-17. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, known for his cunning and desire for the birthright. 2. EsauThe elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, a skilled hunter who is impulsive and driven by immediate needs. 3. BirthrightA significant inheritance and blessing traditionally given to the firstborn son, including leadership of the family and a double portion of the inheritance. 4. Lentil StewThe meal Jacob prepared, which Esau desired, leading to the exchange of his birthright. 5. FieldThe place where Esau was coming from, likely tired and hungry from hunting. Teaching Points Value of Spiritual InheritanceThe birthright represents spiritual blessings and responsibilities. We should value our spiritual inheritance in Christ and not trade it for temporary satisfaction. Consequences of ImpulsivenessEsau's decision to sell his birthright for a meal illustrates the dangers of impulsive decisions. We must consider the long-term consequences of our actions. Prioritizing Immediate GratificationEsau's choice shows the folly of prioritizing immediate gratification over lasting blessings. Christians are called to live with an eternal perspective. God's Sovereignty and Human ResponsibilityWhile God’s sovereign plan unfolds, human choices have real consequences. We are responsible for our decisions and their impact on our spiritual journey. Self-Control as a VirtuePracticing self-control is crucial in maintaining our spiritual integrity and making wise decisions that honor God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 25:29?
2.How does Esau's choice in Genesis 25:29 reflect on valuing spiritual over physical needs?
3.What can we learn about impulsive decisions from Esau's actions in Genesis 25:29?
4.How does Genesis 25:29 connect to Hebrews 12:16 about Esau's character?
5.In what ways can we prioritize spiritual inheritance over immediate gratification today?
6.How can Genesis 25:29 guide us in resisting temptation in daily life?
7.Why did Esau sell his birthright for a bowl of stew in Genesis 25:29?
8.What does Genesis 25:29 reveal about the value of spiritual versus material blessings?
9.How does Esau's decision in Genesis 25:29 reflect human impulsiveness and short-sightedness?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 25?
11.How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau’s 400 men?
12.What is the significance of Jacob's pride?
13.What is Edom's significance in the Bible?
14.How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives?What Does Genesis 25:29 Mean One day“One day” sounds ordinary, yet nothing in Scripture is accidental. God sovereignly chooses the moment that will expose Esau’s heart and advance His plan for the covenant line (Proverbs 16:9;Romans 8:28). Everyday circumstances become turning points when the Lord is writing the story. while Jacob was cooking some stewJacob’s place is by the tents (Genesis 25:27), showing a steady, home-oriented disposition. His hands are busy with stew, but his mind is alert to spiritual opportunity. • The domestic scene contrasts with Esau’s rugged hunting life, foreshadowing the tension ahead. • God often works through simple acts of service—think of the boy’s lunch inJohn 6:9 or the charcoal fire Jesus prepared inJohn 21:9. • The aroma of stew becomes the setting for a test of values: temporary appetite versus lasting blessing. Esau came in from the fieldEsau returns from doing what he loves (Genesis 27:3), tired but empty-handed. The field pictures the world of self-effort, much like the older brother “in the field” inLuke 15:25. He steps into the tent unaware that a crucial choice awaits him. • God allows our routines to intersect with decisive moments. • Life on the hunt can leave a soul unprepared for spiritual decisions. and was famishedPhysical hunger grips Esau: “I am exhausted” (v. 30). Hunger itself is not sin—Jesus hungered after forty days (Matthew 4:2)—yet it exposes what rules the heart.Hebrews 12:16 later warns that Esau, driven by appetite, will trade his birthright. • Legitimate needs can become destructive masters when urgency overrides faith. • Esau’s emptiness highlights the contrast with Christ, who refused to turn stones to bread and chose obedience over appetite. summary• God orchestrates an ordinary day to reveal extraordinary heart issues. • Jacob’s quiet faithfulness positions him to receive blessing, while Esau’s unchecked appetite leads to loss. • The verse reminds us that everyday choices, especially under physical pressure, reveal whether we prize eternal promises over temporary satisfaction. (29, 30) Jacob sod pottage.--The diverse occupations of the two youths led, in course of time, to an act fatal to Esau's character and well-being. Coming home one day weary, and fainting with hunger, he found Jacob preparing a pottage of lentils. No sooner did the savoury smell reach him than he cried out in haste, "Let me swallow, I pray, of the red, this red." The verb expresses extreme eagerness, and he adds no noun whatever, but points to the steaming dish. And Jacob, seeing his brother's greediness and ravenous hunger, refuses to give him food until he has parted with the high and sacred prerogative which made him the inheritor of the Divine promise. Therefore was his name called Edom.--Esau may have been called Edom, that is,Rufus,the red one, before, but after this act it ceased to be a mere allusive by name, and became his ordinary appellation. Verse 29. - And Jacob sod pottage: - literally, cooked something cooked; ἔψησε δὲἹακὼβ ἕψημα (LXX.); prepared boiled food, of lentils ( vide on ver. 34) - and Esau came from the field, and he was faint - exhausted, the term being used of one who is both wearied and languishing (cf. Job 22:7; Psalm 63:2; Proverbs 25:25).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew One day, while Jacobיַעֲקֹ֖ב(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290:Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his descwas cookingוַיָּ֥זֶד(way·yā·zeḏ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 2102:To boil up, seethe, act proudly or presumptuously or rebelliouslysome stew,נָזִ֑יד(nā·zîḏ)Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5138:Something sodden or boiled, pottageEsauעֵשָׂ֛ו(‘ê·śāw)Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6215:Esau -- oldest son of Isaaccame inוַיָּבֹ֥א(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gofromמִן־(min-)Preposition Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofthe fieldהַשָּׂדֶ֖ה(haś·śā·ḏeh)Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704:Field, landandוְה֥וּא(wə·hū)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, arewas famished.עָיֵֽף׃(‘ā·yêp̄)Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5889:Faint, weary
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OT Law: Genesis 25:29 Jacob boiled stew (Gen. Ge Gn) |