Esau's Relationship with God in the Bible Explained
Esau, the elder twin brother of Jacob, is presented in the biblical narrative as a figure whose relationship with God is primarily understood through his actions and their consequences, rather than direct divine pronouncements to him [1]. Born "hairy," a characteristic that gave him his name, Esau was a robust and wild individual, a "son of the desert" who excelled as a hunter [1, 4]. His father, Isaac, loved him [1].
A pivotal moment defining Esau's spiritual standing was his sale of his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red lentil stew [4]. This act is frequently cited as evidence of his disregard for spiritual blessings, illustrating a willingness to exchange long-term divine promises for immediate gratification [10]. The name Edom, meaning "red," was also given to him in connection with this event, serving as a perpetual reminder of his "foolish bargain" [4, 12]. Ancient Jewish literature, as noted in the Tyndale House commentary on Hebrews, describes Esau as "godless" due to this lack of regard for his birthright [10].
Esau's marriages further complicated his relationship with the covenant community. He married Hittite women, Judith and Basemath, which caused "bitterness of spirit" and deep trouble for his parents, Isaac and Rebekah [1, 10, 13]. These marriages were not from his own relations in Mesopotamia, but from the Canaanites, whom God had rejected [13].
Despite these early actions, the narrative also portrays moments of reconciliation and apparent change in Esau. When Jacob returned after many years, fearing Esau's wrath, Esau met him with unexpected affection [8, 11]. He embraced Jacob, and when Jacob presented his family, Esau inquired, "Who are these with you?" Jacob responded, "These are the children God has graciously given your servant" [3]. Esau initially refused Jacob's gifts, saying, "I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself," though he later accepted them [5]. This encounter suggests a softening of Esau's heart and a willingness to move past old grudges, which some scholars interpret as an example of divine intervention [9].
Esau is also identified as the father of the Edomites [2, 14]. His descendants include figures like Eliphaz and Reuel, who are mentioned in connection with Job and Moses respectively [6, 7]. The history of Esau largely concludes in the Pentateuch after the account of his posterity [14].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Esau — (hairy), the eldest son of Isaac, and twin-brother of Jacob. The singular appearance of the child at his birth originated the name. (Genesis 25:25) Esau's robust frame and "rough" aspect were the types of a wild and daring nature. He was a thorough Bedouin, a "son of the desert." He was much loved by his father, and was of course his heir, but was induced to sell his birthright to Jacob. Mention of his unhappy marriages may be found in (Genesis 26:34) The next episode in the life of Esau is the loss of his father's covenant blessing, which Jacob secured through”
- Genesis “Genesis 36:1 (BSB) — This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).”
- Genesis “Genesis 33:5 (BSB) — When Esau looked up and saw the women and children, he asked, “Who are these with you?” Jacob answered, “These are the children God has graciously given your servant.””
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Esau — Hairy, Rebekah's first-born twin son (Gen. 25:25). The name of Edom, "red", was also given to him from his conduct in connection with the red lentil "pottage" for which he sold his birthright (30, 31). The circumstances connected with his birth foreshadowed the enmity which afterwards subsisted between the twin brothers and the nations they founded (25:22, 23, 26). In process of time Jacob, following his natural bent, became a shepherd; while Esau, a "son of the desert," devoted himself to the perilous and toilsome life of a huntsman. On a certain occasion, on”
- Genesis “Esau said, “Let me now leave with you some of the folk who are with me.” He said, “Why? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.” -- Genesis 33:15”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Reuel — (friend of God) One of the sons of Esau, by his wife Bashemath, sister of Ishmael. (Genesis 36:4,10,13,17; 1 Chronicles 1:36,37) (B.C. about 1790.) + One of the names of Moses' father-in-law. (Exodus 2:18) (B.C. 1530.) + Father of Eliasaph, the leader of the tribe of Gad at the time of the census at Sinai. (Numbers 2:14) (B.C. 1490.) + A Benjamite, ancestor of Elah. (1 Chronicles 9:8)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eliphaz — God his strength. (1.) One of Job's "three friends" who visited him in his affliction (4:1). He was a "Temanite", i.e., a native of Teman, in Idumea. He first enters into debate with Job. His language is uniformly more delicate and gentle than that of the other two, although he imputes to Job special sins as the cause of his present sufferings. He states with remarkable force of language the infinite purity and majesty of God (4:12-21; 15:12-16). (2.) The son of Esau by his wife Adah, and father of several Edomitish tribes (Gen. 36:4, 10, 11, 16).”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 20, section 1: . Concerning The Meeting Of Jacob And Esau. 1. Now as Jacob was proceeding on his journey to the land of Canaan, angels appeared to him, and suggested to him good hope of his future condition; and that place he named the Camp of God. And being desirous of knowing what his brother's intentions were to him, he sent messengers, to give him an exact account of every thing, as being afraid, on account of the enmities between them. He charged those that were sent, to say to Esau, "Jacob had thought it wrong to live together with him w”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 33:1: 33:1-17 Jacob’s long-anticipated meeting with his brother Esau turned out far better than he had feared. Esau’s changed heart is an example of how “God fights” (See 32:28). Earlier, he had cared little about the birthright (25:32-34); now he cared little for old grudges. Jacob recognized that God had intervened. 33:1-2 Jacob’s identity had been changed (32:27-28), but he had not yet learned to live up to the new name; he still showed the favoritism that divides families. He lined up his family and his possessions in the order of their importance to him, with the ”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:16: 12:16 Ancient Jewish literature describes Esau as sexually immoral because he was married to the Hittite women Judith and Basemath (Gen 26:34; see Jubilees 25:1; Philo, On the Virtues 208). • Esau’s lack of regard for his birthright (Gen 25:29-34) was godless. His willingness to give up God’s blessings for immediate satisfaction illustrates the opposite of faith.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 33 (introduction): Esau, with four hundred men, meets Jacob, Gen 33:1. He places his children under their respective mothers, passes over before them, and bows himself to his brother, Gen 33:2, Gen 33:3. Esau receives him with great affection, Gen 33:4. Receives the homage of the handmaids, Leah, Rachel, and their children, Gen 33:5-7. Jacob offers him the present of cattle, which he at first refuses, but after much entreaty accepts, Gen 33:8-11. Invites Jacob to accompany him to Mount Seir, Gen 33:12. Jacob excuses himself because of his flocks and his children, but pro”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 36:1: Observe here, 1. Concerning Esau himself, Gen 36:1. He is called Edom (and again, Gen 36:8), that name by which was perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish bargain he made, when he sold his birthright for that red, that red pottage. The very mention of that name is enough to intimate the reason why his family is turned off with such a short account. Note, If men do a wrong thing they must thank themselves, when it is, long afterwards, remembered against them to their reproach. 2. Concerning his wives, and the children they bore him in the land of Canaan. He ha”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 26:34: Esau's Marriage. - To the various troubles which the Philistines prepared for Isaac, but which, through the blessing of God, only contributed to the increase of his wealth and importance, a domestic cross was added, which caused him great and lasting sorrow. Esau married two wives in the 40th year of his age, the 100th of Isaac's life (Gen 25:26); and that not from his own relations in Mesopotamia, but from among the Canaanites whom God had cast off. On their names, see Gen 34:2-3. They became "bitterness of spirit," the cause of deep trouble, to his parents,”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 36:43: He is Esau the father of the Edomites - That is, The preceding list contains an account of the posterity of Esau, who was the father of Edom. Thus ends Esau's history; for after this there is no farther account of his life, actions, or death, in the Pentateuch. 1. As Esau is so considerable a person in polemic divinity, it may be necessary, in this place especially, to say something farther of his conduct and character. I have already, in several places, endeavored, and I hope successfully, to wipe off the odium that has been thrown upon this man, (see the notes o”