Genesis 25:33

But Jacob said, “First, you have to make a strong promise to me.” And so Esau promised that Jacob would be the leader of the family after Isaac died. It was like Esau sold his place in the family for a bowl of stew.

Barkly (portions)

In The King James Version

And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

In Context

32Esau said, “I am so hungry that I feel like I am going to die. I am not worried about getting my father's things after he dies.”

34Jacob gave Esau some bread and stew with vegetables in it. Esau ate and drank and then he went away. In this way, Esau showed that he did not care about being the next leader of the family after Isaac died.

Read all of Genesis 25

Cross References

Genesis 14:22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I tell you and I make a strong promise to God, the God who made heaven and the earth, I will not take anything that belongs to you. I will not even take a piece of string or a shoelace that belongs to you. I do not want you to say to anybody, ‘I made Abram rich. I gave him everything.’

Genesis 27:36Esau said, “You really did call him the right name. His name means Tricky One and now he has tricked me 2 times. He took my place as head of the family and now he has taken my blessing. Can you bless me too father and ask God to be good to me and make me strong?”

Matthew Henry on Genesis 25:30-34

Esau Sells His Birthright. ( b. c. 1805.) 29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 25:33