And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
And Jacob said, 'Promise me right now with an oath,' and Esau made the promise to him. So Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.
This verse shows Esau officially giving up his inheritance rights as the firstborn son to his younger brother Jacob in exchange for a meal.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Jacob and Esau were twin brothers, with Esau being the firstborn and thus entitled to the birthright, which included family leadership, inheritance, and spiritual privileges in ancient Hebrew culture. One day, Esau returned from hunting exhausted and starving, while Jacob was preparing a simple lentil stew. Esau impulsively traded his birthright to Jacob for the immediate satisfaction of food, illustrating the cultural value placed on birthrights in patriarchal societies where such rights were seen as sacred and irrevocable.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.