Original Word: עֵשָׂו
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Esav
Pronunciation: ay-sawv'
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-sawv')
KJV: Esau
NASB: Esau, Esau's
Word Origin: [apparently a form of the passive participle of H6213 (עָשָׂה - To do) in the original sense of handling]

1. rough (i.e. sensibly felt)
2. Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity

Esau

Apparently a form of the passive participle of asah in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. Sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity -- Esau.

see HEBREW asah

Word Origin
from asah
Definition
oldest son of Isaac
NASB Translation
Esau (84), Esau's (13).

עֵשָׂו₉₇ proper name, masculine Esau, Ησαυ; — Esau, elder son of Isaac Genesis 25:25,26 7t. 25, Genesis 26:34; Genesis 27:1 24t. Genesis 27:27, 28, Genesis 32:4 15t. Genesis 32:32, 33, 35, Joshua 24:4 (twice in verse); Malachi 1:2,3; 1 Chronicles 1:34; identification with אֱדוֺם Genesis 36:1,8,19, ancestor of Edomites Genesis 36:9; Genesis 36:43, compare 1 Chronicles 1:35; dwelling in Mt. Seir Genesis 36:8 (25 t. in all, Genesis 36) Deuteronomy 2:5; Joshua 24:4; בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו = Edomites Deuteronomy 2:4,8,12,22,29; עֵשָׂו = Edom Jeremiah 49:8; Obadiah 6, בֵּית עֵשָׂו Jeremiah 49:18; Jeremiah 49:18, הַר עֵשָׂו Jeremiah 49:18; Jeremiah 49:9; Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 49:21.

Biblical Narrative Overview

Esau, the firstborn twin of Isaac and Rebekah, enters the scriptural record at Genesis 25:25 with the observation, “The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau.” From Genesis 25 through 36 his life unfolds in five main movements: birth and struggle with Jacob in the womb (Genesis 25:22-26); surrender of his birthright for a meal of lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34); loss of the paternal blessing through Jacob’s deception (Genesis 27); expansion into the hill-country of Seir (Genesis 32:3; 33:16); and the catalog of his descendants who form the nation of Edom (Genesis 36).

Genealogy and Family Connections

Esau is grandson to Abraham (Genesis 25:19), son of Isaac, and elder brother of Jacob. He marries two Hittite women—Judith and Basemath (Genesis 26:34)—“a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah,” then adds Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael (Genesis 28:9). His five sons from Adah, Oholibamah, and Basemath become tribal chiefs: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah (Genesis 36:10-14). These lines generate the Edomite clan-chiefs and later kings, establishing Edom as Israel’s southern neighbor and frequent rival.

Edom and the Nations

Scripture consistently identifies Esau with Edom (Genesis 36:1). His territory, Mount Seir, stretches from the Arabah to the Gulf of Aqaba (Deuteronomy 2:4-5). Edom refuses Israel passage during the exodus (Numbers 20:14-21), is barred from permanent hostility by law (“You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother,” Deuteronomy 23:7), yet features prominently in judgment oracles: Isaiah 34; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Ezekiel 35; Amos 1:11-12; Obadiah. These texts illustrate the persistent tension between two fraternal peoples and underscore God’s sovereignty in raising and removing nations.

Character Assessment

Esau is portrayed as impulsive and sensual—“famished,” he despises the birthright (Genesis 25:32-34). He marries according to appetite rather than covenant, contrasting sharply with Abraham’s concern for Isaac’s spouse. Hebrews 12:16-17 uses Esau as a moral warning against “sexual immorality or godlessness,” citing his irreversible loss: “He found no place for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.” Yet Genesis 33 highlights his capacity for magnanimous reconciliation when he embraces Jacob, demonstrating personal warmth absent from earlier episodes.

Theological Themes

1. Election and grace: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:13) frames divine choice apart from human merit, announced “before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad” (Romans 9:11-12).
2. Flesh and spirit: Esau, hunter and man of the field, epitomizes natural strength; Jacob, “dwelling in tents,” receives covenant promises. The narrative teaches that spiritual inheritance outweighs physical prowess.
3. Temporal versus eternal values: Esau’s trade of his primogeniture for immediate satisfaction preaches the peril of shortsighted desire.

Occurrences in Prophetic Literature

• Isaiah 34 and 63 depict Edom’s land as a perpetual burning, forecasting ultimate judgment.
• Jeremiah 49:7-22 warns of Edom’s humiliation despite reputed wisdom.
• Obadiah, the shortest Old Testament book, targets Edom for violence against “your brother Jacob,” announcing that “the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance” (Obadiah 17).

New Testament References

• Romans 9:10-13 employs Esau to illustrate God’s freedom in election.
• Hebrews 11:20 lists Isaac’s blessing of Jacob and Esau in the faith-hall of fame, while Hebrews 12:16-17 admonishes believers not to mirror Esau’s profane choice.

Geographical Legacy

Edomite strongholds such as Bozrah, Teman, and Petra (Sela) are repeatedly referenced (Genesis 36:33; Amos 1:12; 2 Kings 14:7). Archaeological remains confirm extensive trade routes linking Edom to Arabia, Egypt, and the Levant, aligning with biblical notices of Esau’s descendants as chiefs and kings “before any king reigned over the Israelites” (Genesis 36:31).

Lessons for Ministry and Faith

• Guard the sacred: Birthrights—and by extension, spiritual privileges—can be lightly forfeited but not easily regained.
• Reconciliation is possible: Esau’s embrace of Jacob models forgiveness, a vital pastoral theme.
• Discernment in marriage: Esau’s mixed unions troubled the covenant family; believers are exhorted to wed “in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39).
• Sovereignty of God: Esau’s account affirms that divine election orchestrates redemptive history, encouraging humble trust amid mysteries of providence.

Summary

Esau stands as a cautionary yet multifaceted figure—hunter, brother, founder of a nation, example of squandered privilege, and, in moments, a gracious reconciler. His near-century of appearances across narrative, law, and prophecy instructs the Church on valuing spiritual inheritance, respecting God’s sovereign choices, and pursuing brotherly peace.

וְעֵשָֽׂו׃ וְעֵשָׂ֣ו ועשו ועשו׃ לְעֵשָׂ֑ו לְעֵשָׂ֔ו לְעֵשָׂ֖ו לְעֵשָׂ֗ו לְעֵשָׂ֜ו לְעֵשָׂ֥ו לעשו עֵשָֽׂו׃ עֵשָׂ֑ו עֵשָׂ֔ו עֵשָׂ֖ו עֵשָׂ֗ו עֵשָׂ֛ו עֵשָׂ֜ו עֵשָׂ֡ו עֵשָׂ֣ו עֵשָׂ֣ו ׀ עֵשָׂ֤ו עֵשָׂ֥ו עֵשָׂו֙ עשו עשו׃ ‘ê·śāw ‘êśāw eSav lə‘êśāw lə·‘ê·śāw leeSav veeSav wə‘êśāw wə·‘ê·śāwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts