Who Was Esau In The Bible? A Character Study

Who was Esau? Why is it important to know about him? What is his relation Jacob?

Esau’s Beginnings

When Esau was born he was given a name, most likely due to his appearance. In the Hebrew, “Esav” means “hairy.” This was because he “first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau” (Gen 25:25). Esau was a manly, man. He was the consummate outdoorsman. He was the eldest son of Isaac and being born first, he had the natural rights given to the eldest son (birthright). Jacob got his name from the birth process too as after “his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob” (Gen 25:26). Jacob’s name is from the Hebrew word “Ya`aqob” means “heel holder” or “supplanter” and he would later live up (or down) to his name, even though his name would later be changed to Israel (by God) which means “prince of God.” As “the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents” (Gen 25:27). They could not have been any more different.

Esau Sells his Birthright

Esau was a natural hunter but there was a time “when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.)” (Gen 25:29-30). Jacob knew that Esau was desperate for something to eat and said “Sell me your birthright now. Esau was so famished that he said “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me” (Gen 28:31-32) so “Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Gen 25:33-34).

Esau’s Descendants

Esau’s descendants became the natural enemies of Jacob (later changed to Israel) and have been ever since. Esau’s descendants were often at war with Israel and included the Edomites who were constant a thorn in the side of the nation of Israel. Today they are often referred to as the Arabs and Israelis and they are enemies to this day.

Esau in the New Testament

The author of Hebrews warns against a root of bitterness springing up and says “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears” (Heb 12:15-17). A “root of bitterness” did spring up from Esau and it is understandable in a sense because Jacob tricked him into giving him Esau’s birthright for one simple meal. Jacob took advantage of Esau’s hunger and exhaustion but this also proved that Esau didn’t really appreciate his birthright (despised it) and gave it away to satisfy his appetite. In other words, Esau gave up his birthright and all the blessings that went with that, to satisfy the flesh but for a moment, which is very much like sexual immorality which is why the author of Hebrews wrote that you should not become defiled as a person does with their own body when they are living in sexual immorality and they become “unholy like Esau.”

Conclusion

Esau’s life provides a lesson for us today and that is that we cannot trade in our morality for a moment of satisfaction. When we live in ungodliness, particularly with respect to sexual immorality, we bring upon ourselves the wrath of God for the Bible teaches from Genesis to Revelation that no sexually immoral person will inherit the kingdom of heaven (Gal 5:21; Eph 5:5) but instead, be cast into the lake of fire (Rev 21:8) unless they repent.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon.