Now Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
- KJV And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
- BSB Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
- NKJV And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
- NLT Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Isaac favors Esau for his game, while Rebekah loves Jacob.
Overview
Parental favoritism splits the household and sows seeds of future strife and deception. The text honestly records the family's flaws without commending them. Yet God's elective purpose for Jacob advances even amid such human weakness, showing grace overruling sin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Gen 27:19Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.”
- Gen 27:31He also made savory food, and brought it to his father. He said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that your soul may bless me.”
- Gen 27:4Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”
- Gen 27:25He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.” He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank.
- Gen 27:9Go now to the flock, and get me from there two good young goats. I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves.
- Gen 27:6–7Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 25:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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