Genesis 25
34 verses
Genesis 25 marks a transition and introduces a new central tension. Abraham dies, full of years, and is buried with Sarah by both Isaac and Ishmael — a quiet reunion. The chapter then records the birth of Jacob and Esau, twins who struggle in the womb and whose destinies are declared before birth: the older will serve the younger, reversing every cultural expectation. Esau, the firstborn and the outdoorsman, is his father's favorite. Jacob, the quiet one, is his mother's. Then comes the infamous scene: Esau returns from the field famished and trades his birthright — his double inheritance and covenant standing — for a bowl of lentil stew. The text says he despised his birthright. Hebrews 12:16–17 uses Esau as a warning against trading the lasting for the immediate. Romans 9:10–13 cites the twins as evidence that God's purposes are not based on human achievement. This chapter sets up one of Scripture's most complex family stories and raises the uncomfortable question: what are you tempted to trade away for something that satisfies right now?
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
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2
And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.
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3
And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.
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4
And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
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5
And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.
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6
But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.
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7
And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.
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8
Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
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God is faithful in every circumstance.. There's something deeply comforting about knowing that the same God who spoke th...
9
And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;
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10
The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.
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11
And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai–roi.
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12
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:
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13
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
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14
And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
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15
Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:
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16
These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.
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17
And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.
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18
And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.
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19
And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac:
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20
And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan–aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
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21
And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
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22
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.
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23
And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
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24
And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
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25
And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
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26
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
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27
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
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28
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
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29
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
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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.
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31
And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
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32
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
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33
And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
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34
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
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