Genesis 25:26-28
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
26 Next his brother came out, gripping Esau’s heel;[a] so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.(A)
27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country; whereas Jacob was a simple[b] man, who stayed among the tents.(B) 28 Isaac preferred Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah preferred Jacob.
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- 25:26 Heel: in Hebrew ‘aqeb, a wordplay on the name Jacob; cf. 27:36. The first of three scenes of striving with Esau. The second is vv. 27–34, and the third, chap. 27. In all the scenes, Jacob values the blessing more than his ardent but unreflective brother Esau does.
- 25:27 Simple: the Hebrew word denotes soundness, integrity, health, none of which fit here. Whatever its precise meaning, it must be opposite to the qualities of Esau.
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