KJV ORIGINAL
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
And Jacob said, 'Promise me right now with an oath,' and Esau made the promise to him. So Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
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 ancient Near Eastern culture, the birthright belonged to the firstborn son and included a double portion of the father's inheritance and the leadership of the family. This transaction between the twin brothers Jacob and Esau occurred when Esau came in from hunting, exhausted and hungry, and Jacob had prepared a meal of bread and lentil stew.
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