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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 25:33 "Swear to me first," Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/25-33.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_25_33.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 25:33 - Esau Sells His Birthright" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Swear to me first, Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/25-33.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/25-33.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 33</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/25-32.htm" title="Genesis 25:32">◄</a> Genesis 25:33 <a href="/genesis/25-34.htm" title="Genesis 25:34">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But Jacob said, &#8220Swear to me first.&#8221 So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore <i>an oath</i> to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Jacob said, &#8220First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said, “Swear [an oath] to me today [that you are selling it to me for this food]”; so he swore [an oath] to him, and sold him his birthright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said, &#8220Swear to me first.&#8221 So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said, Swear to me first; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But Jacob said, "Promise me your birthrights, here and now!" And that's what Esau did. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"First, swear an oath," Jacob said. So Esau swore an oath to him and sold him his rights as firstborn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jacob answered, "First make a vow that you will give me your rights." Esau made the vow and gave his rights to Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But Jacob insisted, "Swear it by an oath right now." So he swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Swear to me first,? Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Jacob said, "Swear an oath to me now." So Esau swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to him, and he sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him: and he sold his birth-right to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jacob says, “Swear to me today”: and he swears to him, and sells his birthright to Jacob;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Jacob saith, 'Swear to me to-day:' and he sweareth to him, and selleth his birthright to Jacob;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob will say, Swear to me this day: and he will swear to him: and he will sell his birth-right to Jacob.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Jacob said: Swear therefore to me. Esau swore to him, and sold his first birthright. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Jacob said, “So then, swear to me.” Esau swore to him, and he sold his right of the firstborn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But Jacob said, “Swear to me first!” So he sold Jacob his right as firstborn under oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jacob said to him, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him; and he sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Yaquuv said to him, “Swear to me today”, and he swore to him, and he sold his firstborn birthright to Yaquuv.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jacob said: 'Swear to me first'; and he swore unto him; and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Jacob said to him, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him; and Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/25-33.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=5997" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/25.htm">Esau Sells His Birthright</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">32</span>“Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” <span class="reftext">33</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7650.htm" title="7650: hiš·šā·ḇə·‘āh (V-Nifal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; propr. To be complete, but used only as a denominative from sheba'; to seven oneself, i.e. Swear.">“Swear to me first,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: kay·yō·wm (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7650.htm" title="7650: way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘ (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; propr. To be complete, but used only as a denominative from sheba'; to seven oneself, i.e. Swear.">So Esau swore</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">to Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/4376.htm" title="4376: way·yim·kōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To sell. A primitive root; to sell, literally, or figuratively.">and sold</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/1062.htm" title="1062: bə·ḵō·rā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- The right of first- born. Or bkorah; feminine of bkowr; the firstling of man or beast; abstractly primogeniture.">the birthright.</a> </span><span class="reftext">34</span>Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Hebrews 12:16</a></span><br />See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-13.htm">Romans 9:13</a></span><br />So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Genesis 27:36</a></span><br />So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-33.htm">Genesis 27:33-34</a></span><br />Isaac began to tremble violently and said, “Who was it, then, who hunted the game and brought it to me? Before you came in, I ate it all and blessed him—and indeed, he will be blessed!” / When Esau heard his father’s words, he let out a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me too, O my father!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-41.htm">Genesis 27:41</a></span><br />Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2-3</a></span><br />“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34-35</a></span><br />When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Genesis 28:8-9</a></span><br />And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, / Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a></span><br />Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/33-4.htm">Genesis 33:4</a></span><br />Esau, however, ran to him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-1.htm">Genesis 36:1</a></span><br />This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-8.htm">Genesis 36:8</a></span><br />So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-43.htm">Genesis 36:43</a></span><br />Magdiel, and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. Esau was the father of the Edomites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a></span><br />If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1-2</a></span><br />These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright. / And though Judah prevailed over his brothers and a ruler came from him, the birthright belonged to Joseph.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him: and he sold his birthright to Jacob.</p><p class="hdg">Swear.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-22.htm">Genesis 14:22</a></b></br> And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Genesis 24:3</a></b></br> And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/6-23.htm">Mark 6:23</a></b></br> And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give <i>it</i> thee, unto the half of my kingdom.</p><p class="hdg">and he sold.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Genesis 27:36</a></b></br> And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/36-6.htm">Genesis 36:6,7</a></b></br> And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Hebrews 12:16</a></b></br> Lest there <i>be</i> any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/25-32.htm">Birthright</a> <a href="/genesis/25-32.htm">Birth-Right</a> <a href="/genesis/25-31.htm">First</a> <a href="/acts/12-4.htm">Handing</a> <a href="/genesis/25-31.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/24-41.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/matthew/13-44.htm">Selleth</a> <a href="/acts/2-45.htm">Selling</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/genesis/24-37.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Sweareth</a> <a href="/genesis/24-9.htm">Swore</a> <a href="/genesis/25-31.htm">To-Day</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/25-34.htm">Birthright</a> <a href="/genesis/25-34.htm">Birth-Right</a> <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">First</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-20.htm">Handing</a> <a href="/genesis/25-34.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/genesis/41-56.htm">Selleth</a> <a href="/genesis/42-6.htm">Selling</a> <a href="/genesis/31-15.htm">Sold</a> <a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/genesis/26-31.htm">Swear</a> <a href="/genesis/31-53.htm">Sweareth</a> <a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Swore</a> <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">To-Day</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">The sons of Abraham by Keturah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-5.htm">The division of his goods.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-7.htm">His age, death, and burial.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-11.htm">God blesses Isaac.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">The generations of Ishmael.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-17.htm">His age and death.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-19.htm">Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-22.htm">The children strive in her womb.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">The birth of Esau and Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Their different characters and pursuits.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/25-29.htm">Esau sells his birthright.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Swear to me first,” Jacob said.</b><br>Jacob's request for an oath highlights the seriousness of the transaction. In ancient Near Eastern culture, oaths were binding and sacred, often invoking divine witness. Jacob's insistence on an oath underscores his determination to secure the birthright, which was a significant inheritance that included leadership of the family and spiritual blessings. This moment foreshadows Jacob's later encounters with God, where his persistence and desire for blessing are evident (<a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24-30</a>).<p><b>So Esau swore to Jacob</b><br>Esau's willingness to swear an oath indicates his disregard for the birthright's value. In <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Hebrews 12:16</a>, Esau is described as "godless" for trading his birthright for a single meal, emphasizing the spiritual implications of his decision. This act of swearing away his birthright reflects a lack of foresight and appreciation for the covenantal promises given to Abraham and Isaac, which were to be passed down through the birthright.<p><b>and sold him the birthright.</b><br>The birthright in ancient Hebrew culture was more than just a double portion of the inheritance; it included the role of family priest and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant. By selling his birthright, Esau forfeited his position in the lineage of the Messiah, as the birthright carried the promise of being part of God's redemptive plan. This transaction is a pivotal moment in biblical history, as it sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's promise to Rebekah that "the older will serve the younger" (<a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23</a>). Jacob's acquisition of the birthright is a type of Christ, who, though not the firstborn in a physical sense, inherits the promises and blessings of God, fulfilling the role of the ultimate firstborn (<a href="/colossians/1-15.htm">Colossians 1:15-18</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, known for his cunning and desire for the birthright, which was a significant inheritance and blessing in Hebrew culture.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/esau.htm">Esau</a></b><br>The elder twin brother of Jacob, a skilled hunter, who impulsively sold his birthright for a meal, demonstrating a lack of appreciation for its spiritual significance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/birthright.htm">Birthright</a></b><br>In the Hebrew context, the birthright was a special honor given to the firstborn son, which included leadership of the family and a double portion of the inheritance.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/swearing_an_oath.htm">Swearing an Oath</a></b><br>A solemn promise or commitment, often invoking God as a witness, which was binding and taken very seriously in ancient times.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_meal.htm">The Meal</a></b><br>The immediate gratification that Esau sought, which led him to undervalue his birthright, symbolizing the conflict between spiritual blessings and physical desires.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_spiritual_inheritance.htm">Value of Spiritual Inheritance</a></b><br>Recognize the eternal value of spiritual blessings over temporary, worldly desires.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_impulsiveness.htm">Consequences of Impulsiveness</a></b><br>Understand the long-term consequences of impulsive decisions and the importance of considering future implications.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/integrity_in_promises.htm">Integrity in Promises</a></b><br>Uphold integrity and seriousness in making promises, reflecting the biblical importance of oaths.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_human_responsibility.htm">God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility</a></b><br>Acknowledge God's sovereignty in His plans while also recognizing human responsibility in making wise choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_god's_promises.htm">Prioritizing God's Promises</a></b><br>Encourage prioritizing God's promises and spiritual growth over immediate gratification and material gain.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_conflict_after_jacob-esau_meet.htm">What explains the absence of any further conflict between Jacob and Esau after their dramatic meeting in Genesis 33?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_esau_sell_his_birthright.htm">Why did Esau sell his birthright to Jacob?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob_and_esau_reconcile_quickly.htm">How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau's 400 men?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_laban_pursuit_in_genesis_33.htm">Why is there no mention of repercussions or pursuit from Laban, despite prior tensions, when Jacob meets Esau in Genesis 33?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 33.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Jacob said, Swear to me this day</span>. On the expression "this day" <span class="accented">vide supra</span>, ver. 31. The conduct of Jacob in this transaction is difficult to defend Though aware of the heavenly oracle that assigned to him the precedence in his father s house, he was far from being justified in endeavoring, by "cautious, prudent, and conciliatory proposals" (Murphy), but rather by unbelieving impatience, despicable meanness, and miserable craft, to anticipate Divine pro<span class="accented">vide</span>nce, which in due time without his assistance would have implemented its own designs. <span class="cmt_word">And he sware unto him.</span> If Jacob's demand of an oath evinced ungenerous suspicion, Esau's giving of an oath showed a low sense of honor (Lange). <span class="cmt_word">And he sold his birthright unto Jacob</span> - thus meriting the appellation of <span class="greek">βέβηλος</span> (<a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Hebrews 12:16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/25-33.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Swear to me first,”</span><br /><span class="heb">הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה</span> <span class="translit">(hiš·šā·ḇə·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7650.htm">Strong's 7650: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seven oneself, swear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jacob</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲקֹ֗ב</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So [Esau] swore</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·šā·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7650.htm">Strong's 7650: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seven oneself, swear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Jacob and sold</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yim·kōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4376.htm">Strong's 4376: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sell</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him</span><br /><span class="heb">לְיַעֲקֹֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the birthright.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכֹרָת֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵō·rā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1062.htm">Strong's 1062: </a> </span><span class="str2">The firstling of man, beast, primogeniture</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/25-33.htm">Genesis 25:33 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/25-33.htm">OT Law: Genesis 25:33 Jacob said Swear to me first (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/25-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 25:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 25:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/25-34.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 25:34"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 25:34" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>