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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 25:23 and He declared to her: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/25-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/01_Gen_25_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 25:23 - Jacob and Esau" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and He declared to her: Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." /><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/25-23.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/25-23.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 23</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="/ad3.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/25-22.htm" title="Genesis 25:22">◄</a> Genesis 25:23 <a href="/genesis/25-24.htm" title="Genesis 25:24">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/genesis/25.htm">New International Version</a> The LORD said to her, &#8220Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/25.htm">New Living Translation</a> And the LORD told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” <a href="/esv/genesis/25.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/25.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/25.htm">New King James Version</a> And the LORD said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people will be stronger than the other; And the older will serve the younger.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/25.htm">NASB 1995</a> The LORD said to her, &#8220Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples shall be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” <a href="/amp/genesis/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a> The LORD said to her, “[The founders of] two nations are in your womb; And the separation of two nations has begun in your body; The one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” <a href="/csb/genesis/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And the LORD said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two peoples will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And the LORD said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two people will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. <a href="/asv/genesis/25.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Jehovah said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger. <a href="/cev/genesis/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and he told her: "Your two sons will become two separate nations. The younger of the two will be stronger, and the older son will be his servant." <a href="/erv/genesis/25.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated even from thy bowels: And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger. <a href="/gwt/genesis/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The LORD said to her, "Two countries are in your womb. Two nations will go their separate ways from birth. One nation will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." <a href="/gnt/genesis/25.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD said to her, "Two nations are within you; You will give birth to two rival peoples. One will be stronger than the other; The older will serve the younger." <a href="/isv/genesis/25.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Two nations are in your womb," the LORD responded, "and two separate people will emerge. One people will be the stronger, and the older one will serve the younger." <a href="/msb/genesis/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and He declared to her: ?Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.? <a href="/net/genesis/25.htm">NET Bible</a> and the LORD said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from within you. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." <a href="/nheb/genesis/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he said to her, "Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger." <a href="/wbt/genesis/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And the LORD said to 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. <a href="/web/genesis/25.htm">World English Bible</a> Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And YHWH says to her, “Two nations [are] in your womb, and two peoples from your bowels are parted; and the [one] people is stronger than the [other] people; and the older serves the younger.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah saith to her, 'Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples from thy bowels are parted; and the one people than the other people is stronger; and the elder doth serve the younger.' <a href="/slt/genesis/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Jehovah will say to her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy belly: and a people shall be strong above a people, and the great shall serve the small.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he answering said: Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be divided out of thy womb, and one people shall overcome the other, and the elder shall serve the younger. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And responding, he said, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be divided out of your womb, and one people will overcome the other people, and the elder will serve the younger.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/25.htm">New American Bible</a> and the LORD answered her: Two nations are in your womb, two peoples are separating while still within you; But one will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the LORD said to her, Two peoples are in your womb, and two nations shall be separated from your body; and the one nation shall be stronger than the other nation; and the elder shall serve the younger. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And LORD JEHOVAH said to her: “Two peoples are in your womb, and two nations shall be separated from your womb, and one nation shall be stronger than the other nation, and the greater shall be subject to the lesser.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And the LORD said unto her: Two nations are in thy womb, And two peoples shall be separated from thy bowels; And the one people shall be stronger than the other people; And the elder shall serve the younger. <a href="/sep/genesis/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And the Lord said to her, There are two nations in thy womb, and two peoples shall be separated from thy belly, and one people shall excel the other, and the elder shall serve the younger. <a href="/parallel/genesis/25-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=5923" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/25.htm">Jacob and Esau</a> …22But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD, 23<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">and He</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- ">declared</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.">to her:</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê (Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">“Two</a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: ḡō·yīm (N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: bə·ḇiṭ·nêḵ (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 2fs) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything.">are in your womb,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: ū·šə·nê (Conj-w:: Number-mdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">and two</a> <a href="/hebrew/3816.htm" title="3816: lə·’um·mîm (N-mp) -- People. Or l owm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community.">peoples</a> <a href="/hebrew/4578.htm" title="4578: mim·mê·‘a·yiḵ (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 2fs) -- Internal organs, inward parts, belly. ">from within you</a> <a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: yip·pā·rê·ḏū (V-Nifal-Imperf-3mp) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">will be separated;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3816.htm" title="3816: ū·lə·’ōm (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- People. Or l owm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community.">one people</a> <a href="/hebrew/553.htm" title="553: ye·’ĕ·māṣ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be stout, strong, bold, alert. A primitive root; to be alert, physically or mentally.">will be stronger</a> <a href="/hebrew/3816.htm" title="3816: mil·’ōm (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- People. Or l owm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community.">than the other,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: wə·raḇ (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">and the older</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">will serve</a> <a href="/hebrew/6810.htm" title="6810: ṣā·‘îr (Adj-ms) -- Little, insignificant, young. Or tsanowr; from tsa'ar; little; few; young, ignoble.">the younger.”</a> 24When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-12</a> Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” <a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2-3</a> “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.” <a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Hebrews 11:20</a> By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. <a href="/2_samuel/8-14.htm">2 Samuel 8:14</a> He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David. So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went. <a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10-12</a> Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. <a href="/obadiah/1-18.htm">Obadiah 1:18</a> Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken. <a href="/numbers/20-14.htm">Numbers 20:14-21</a> From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. ... <a href="/deuteronomy/2-4.htm">Deuteronomy 2:4-5</a> and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession. <a href="/deuteronomy/23-7.htm">Deuteronomy 23:7</a> Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land. <a href="/ezekiel/35-5.htm">Ezekiel 35:5</a> Because you harbored an ancient hatred and delivered the Israelites over to the sword in the time of their disaster at the final stage of their punishment, <a href="/ezekiel/35-15.htm">Ezekiel 35:15</a> As you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, so will I do to you. You will become a desolation, O Mount Seir, and so will all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the LORD. <a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Amos 1:11</a> This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Edom, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and stifled all compassion; his anger raged continually, and his fury flamed incessantly. <a href="/amos/9-12.htm">Amos 9:12</a> that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My name,” declares the LORD, who will do this. <a href="/isaiah/34-5.htm">Isaiah 34:5-6</a> When My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens, then it will come down upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction. / The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom. <a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1</a> Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.Two nations.<a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Genesis 17:16</a> And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.<a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a> And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.two manner.<a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Genesis 25:27</a> And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.<a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">Genesis 32:6</a> And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.<a href="/genesis/33-3.htm">Genesis 33:3</a> And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.the elder.<a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Genesis 27:29,40</a> Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee… <a href="/2_samuel/8-14.htm">2 Samuel 8:14</a> And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.<a href="/1_kings/22-47.htm">1 Kings 22:47</a> There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Body</a> <a href="/genesis/24-15.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/genesis/15-10.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/genesis/24-2.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/genesis/19-31.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/genesis/25-16.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/genesis/19-37.htm">Older</a> <a href="/genesis/13-14.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/genesis/25-17.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/genesis/13-14.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/15-14.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm">Stronger</a> <a href="/genesis/25-22.htm">Within</a> <a href="/genesis/20-18.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/genesis/19-38.htm">Younger</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">Body</a> <a href="/genesis/25-25.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/43-30.htm">Bowels</a> <a href="/genesis/32-7.htm">Divided</a> <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Elder</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Older</a> <a href="/exodus/14-16.htm">Parted</a> <a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/genesis/30-40.htm">Separated</a> <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/27-29.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/26-16.htm">Stronger</a> <a href="/genesis/33-18.htm">Within</a> <a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/genesis/27-15.htm">Younger</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 25</div>1. <a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">The sons of Abraham by Keturah.</a> 5. <a href="/genesis/25-5.htm">The division of his goods.</a> 7. <a href="/genesis/25-7.htm">His age, death, and burial.</a> 11. <a href="/genesis/25-11.htm">God blesses Isaac.</a> 12. <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">The generations of Ishmael.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/25-17.htm">His age and death.</a> 19. <a href="/genesis/25-19.htm">Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren.</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/25-22.htm">The children strive in her womb.</a> 24. <a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">The birth of Esau and Jacob.</a> 27. <a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Their different characters and pursuits.</a> 29. <a href="/genesis/25-29.htm">Esau sells his birthright.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>and He declared to her: This phrase indicates divine revelation. God directly communicates with Rebekah, showing His sovereignty and involvement in human affairs. This is reminiscent of other instances where God speaks directly to individuals, such as to Abraham in <a href="/genesis/12.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a>. It underscores the importance of the message and the pivotal role Rebekah's offspring will play in biblical history.“Two nations are in your womb, This prophecy reveals that Rebekah's twins will become progenitors of two distinct nations. Historically, these nations are Edom, descended from Esau, and Israel, descended from Jacob. This foreshadows the future conflicts and interactions between these nations, as seen in passages like <a href="/obadiah/1.htm">Obadiah 1:1-21</a>, which discusses the judgment of Edom.and two peoples from within you will be separated; The separation of the two peoples signifies not only physical division but also spiritual and cultural divergence. This separation is evident in the differing paths of Esau and Jacob, with Esau's descendants becoming the Edomites and Jacob's descendants forming the tribes of Israel. This division is a recurring theme in the Bible, highlighting the distinct destinies and roles of these two lineages.one people will be stronger than the other, This phrase indicates a disparity in power and influence between the two nations. Historically, Israel often had the upper hand over Edom, as seen in <a href="/2_samuel/8-14.htm">2 Samuel 8:14</a>, where David subdues the Edomites. This strength is not merely physical but also spiritual, as Israel is chosen to carry forward God's covenant.and the older will serve the younger.” This reversal of the traditional birthright order is a key theme in biblical narratives, where God often chooses the younger or the less likely candidate to fulfill His purposes, as seen with David and Joseph. This prophecy is fulfilled in <a href="/genesis/27.htm">Genesis 27</a>, when Jacob receives Isaac's blessing intended for Esau. It also prefigures the New Testament principle that God's ways often defy human expectations, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/r/rebekah.htm">Rebekah</a> The wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. She is the one who receives the prophecy from the LORD regarding her unborn children. 2. <a href="/topical/e/esau_and_jacob.htm">Esau and Jacob</a> The twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau, the older, and Jacob, the younger, are the two nations mentioned in the prophecy. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> God Himself, who delivers the prophecy to Rebekah, indicating His sovereign plan and the future of her sons. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_womb.htm">The Womb</a> Symbolically represents the beginning of the two nations and the struggle that will ensue between them. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_prophecy.htm">The Prophecy</a> A divine revelation that foretells the future of Esau and Jacob, highlighting the reversal of cultural norms where the older serves the younger.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> God's plans and purposes are established before birth, demonstrating His control over history and individual destinies. <a href="/topical/r/reversal_of_human_expectations.htm">Reversal of Human Expectations</a> God's ways often defy human norms and expectations, as seen in the younger Jacob being chosen over Esau. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_priorities.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Priorities</a> Esau's disregard for his birthright serves as a warning to prioritize spiritual blessings over immediate, worldly desires. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a> Like Rebekah, believers are called to trust in God's promises and His timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 25</a> <a href="/q/how_does_gen_25_23_fit_edom-israel_history.htm">How does “the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23) align with later historical records of Edom and Israel? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_meaning_of_genesis_25_23.htm">What is the meaning of Genesis 25:23?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_jacob,_also_known_as_israel.htm">Who is Jacob, also known as Israel?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_bible's_twins.htm">Who are the twins mentioned in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) And the Lord said unto her.--Not by the mouth of Abraham, nor in a dream, but directly, as He spake of old to Adam and Eve. We read of no appearance, as in <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm" title="And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.">Genesis 17:1</a>, nor must we invent one. The manner in which Jehovah thus spake has not been revealed, and it is enough for us to know that Jehovah did speak of old to men. The answer is in the form of poverty:--"Two nations are in thy womb;And two peoples from thy bowels shall be separated;And people shall be mightier than people;And the great shall serve the small."The second line shows that even in their earliest childhood her sons would be unlike in character and unfriendly in disposition; upon this follows their development into hostile nations, and the prediction that the son who started with the advantages of the birthright, the stronger physical nature, and superior strength in men and arms (<a href="/genesis/32-6.htm" title="And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to your brother Esau, and also he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him.">Genesis 32:6</a>), would, nevertheless, finally hold the inferior position. There can be no doubt that the secondary cause of the vaster development of Jacob was his being placed by Joseph in the fruitful Delta, where the Israelites were constantly joined by a stream of Semitic immigrants, whose movement towards Egypt is a perfectly authenticated fact of the history of those times. (See <a href="/genesis/12-15.htm" title="The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.">Genesis 12:15</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 23. - And the Lord said unto her, - in a dream (Havernick), a form of revelation peculiar to primitive times (<a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a>; <a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Genesis 20:6</a>; <a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12</a>; <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Genesis 37:5</a>; 90:5; 91:1; 96:2; cf. <a href="/job/4-13.htm">Job 4:13</a>; <a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15</a>); but whether communicated directly to herself, or spoken through the medium of a prophet, the Divine response to her interrogation assumed an antistrophic and poetical form, in which she was informed that her unborn sons were to be the founders of two mighty nations, who, "unequal in power, should be divided rivalry and antagonism from their youth" - Two nations are in thy womb (i.e. the ancestors and founders of two nations, vie., the Israelites and Idumeans), and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; - literally, and two peoples from thy bowels (or womb) are separated, i.e. proceeding from thy womb, they shall be divided from and against each other - and the one people shall be stronger than the other people (literally, and people shall be stronger than people, i.e. the one shall prevail over the other); and the elder shall serve the younger - i.e. the descendants of the elder shall be subject to those of the younger. Vide inspired comments on this oracle in <a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2, 3</a> and <a href="/romans/9-12.htm">Romans 9:12-33</a>. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/25-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>and [He] יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel declared לָ֗הּ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> to her: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Two שְׁנֵ֤י (šə·nê) Number - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) nations גוֹיִם֙ (ḡō·w·yim) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts are in your womb, בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ (bə·ḇiṭ·nêḵ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_990.htm">Strong's 990: </a> The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything and two וּשְׁנֵ֣י (ū·šə·nê) Conjunctive waw | Number - mdc <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> Two (a cardinal number) peoples לְאֻמִּ֔ים (lə·’um·mîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3816.htm">Strong's 3816: </a> A community from within you מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ (mim·mê·‘a·yiḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4578.htm">Strong's 4578: </a> The intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart will be separated; יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ (yip·pā·rê·ḏū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> To break through, spread, separate one people וּלְאֹם֙ (ū·lə·’ōm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3816.htm">Strong's 3816: </a> A community will be stronger יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ (ye·’ĕ·māṣ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_553.htm">Strong's 553: </a> To be stout, strong, bold, alert than the other, מִלְאֹ֣ם (mil·’ōm) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3816.htm">Strong's 3816: </a> A community and the older וְרַ֖ב (wə·raḇ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great will serve יַעֲבֹ֥ד (ya·‘ă·ḇōḏ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave the younger.” צָעִֽיר׃ (ṣā·‘îr) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6810.htm">Strong's 6810: </a> Little, insignificant, young <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/25-23.htm">Genesis 25:23 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/25-23.htm">OT Law: Genesis 25:23 Yahweh said to her Two nations (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/25-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 25:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 25:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/25-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 25:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 25:24" /></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>