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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26 After this, his brother came out,(A) with his hand grasping Esau’s heel;(B) so he was named Jacob.[a](C) Isaac was sixty years old(D) when Rebekah gave birth to them.

27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter,(E) a man of the open country,(F) while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game,(G) loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 25:26 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he deceives.

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.

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.

28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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