The Law · Chapter 25 of 50

Genesis 25

Abraham takes Keturah and fathers more sons, but gives all he has to Isaac before dying at a hundred and seventy five and being buried by Isaac and Ishmael at Machpelah. Ishmael's twelve princes are listed. Isaac prays for barren Rebekah, who conceives struggling twins. God says the elder will serve the younger. Esau is born first, then Jacob, and Esau later sells his birthright for a meal.

What happens in Genesis 25

Abraham marries Keturah and fathers more sons, but he gives everything to Isaac and sends the others away with gifts. He dies at a hundred and seventy five, old and full of years, and his sons Isaac and Ishmael bury him beside Sarah at Machpelah. Ishmael's twelve sons, princes of their nations, are named. Then Isaac, married to Rebekah, entreats the LORD because she is barren, and she conceives.

The children struggle within her, and God reveals that two nations are in her womb, the elder to serve the younger. Esau is born red and hairy, then Jacob grasping his heel. Esau becomes a hunter, Jacob a plain man. One day Esau comes in famished and sells his birthright to Jacob for bread and lentil pottage, despising it.

Genesis 25 in context

This chapter is a hinge, closing Abraham's story and opening the account of Isaac's sons. It records Abraham's death and burial, gathers the descendants of Ishmael, then narrows to the covenant line through Isaac and Jacob. God's word that the elder will serve the younger reverses expected custom and becomes a key text for Paul's teaching on election.

Esau's contempt for his birthright sets up the long rivalry between Jacob and Esau, Israel and Edom.

Main themes of Genesis 25

Genesis 25 (KJV)

1Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 2And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. 3And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim. 4And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. 6But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. 7And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. 8Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 9And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; 10The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. 11And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi. 12Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham: 13And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, 14And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, 15Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: 16These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. 17And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people. 18And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren. 19And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac: 20And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. 23And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26And 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. 27And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 31And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

Verses to carry from Genesis 25

“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.”Genesis 25:8

“And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”Genesis 25:23

“Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.”Genesis 25:34

Reflection

Esau's hunger felt urgent, and he traded a lasting inheritance for a single meal. What enduring blessing might you be tempted to trade for immediate relief or craving? Ask God to help you value the birthright He offers in Christ above the pressing appetites of the moment.

A prayer from Genesis 25