Esau

6 9.1

The oldest son of Isaac who sells his right to inherit the family to his brother Jacob

proper noun
/ˈiːsɔː/

Literature

: Esaú

And Isaac begat Esau and Jacob.
Esau and Jacob
Isaac, Esau
Esau, the older brother

That's that's a later story with Jacob and Esau, his brother.

Examples

By giving up his birthright, Esau gave up the spiritual blessing that came with it.

Blog text (1)
But it was Esau the hunter who was first, and then Jacob.

Jacob (1994)
I'm an old man, Esau, and the hour of my death is near.

Jacob (1994)
Save me, I pray, from my brother Esau.

Jacob (1994)
"For Jacob's skin was smooth, while his brother Esau was a hairy man."

Fiction book (1991)
"Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary."

Blog text (1)
Isaac is deceived into blessing Jacob instead of Esau, defrauding his firstborn son of his legacy.

Academic text (2006)
Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his venison, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Esau was known for being a skilled hunter, often bringing home game for his family.
Despite his talents, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a simple meal.

Surface Forms

Esau main

Etymology

Esau comes from the Hebrew form Esav, which likely means 'hairy' or 'rough', like the English word 'hair', because the Bible says he was born covered in hair. That's why his name fits the story of the older brother who was a wild hunter and who sold his birthright.