Person · Bible dictionary

Esau

The elder twin son of Isaac and Rebekah who sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew — and later reconciled with him.

Esau was a skilled hunter favored by Isaac; Jacob was a quieter man favored by Rebekah. Their rivalry shaped the family.

Esau's impulsive trade of his birthright became a Bible warning against treating eternal things lightly (Hebrews 12:16).

Years later Esau ran to embrace the returning Jacob and they wept together — one of Scripture's most moving reconciliations.

Original BibleDawn entry. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.