24-26 When her time to give birth came, sure enough, there were twins in her womb. The first came out reddish, as if snugly wrapped in a hairy blanket; they named him Esau (Hairy). His brother followed, his fist clutched tight to Esau’s heel; they named him Jacob (Heel). Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.

27-28 The boys grew up. Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman. Jacob was a quiet man preferring life indoors among the tents. Isaac loved Esau because he loved his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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25 The first to come out was red,(A) and his whole body was like a hairy garment;(B) so they named him Esau.[a](C) 26 After this, his brother came out,(D) with his hand grasping Esau’s heel;(E) so he was named Jacob.[b](F) Isaac was sixty years old(G) when Rebekah gave birth to them.

27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter,(H) a man of the open country,(I) while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 25:25 Esau may mean hairy.
  2. Genesis 25:26 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he deceives.