Genesis 25:28
Genesis 25:28 in Multiple Translations
Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: and Rebekah loved Jacob.
Now Isaac's love was for Esau, because Esau's meat was greatly to his taste: but Rebekah had more love for Jacob.
Isaac loved Esau because he brought him tasty wild game to eat, while Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Izhak loued Esau, for venison was his meate, but Rebekah loued Iaakob.
and Isaac loveth Esau, for [his] hunting [is] in his mouth; and Rebekah is loving Jacob.
Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his hunting: and Rebecca loved Jacob.
Isaac liked Esau more, because he enjoyed the taste of the meat of the animals that Esau killed. But Rebekah liked Jacob more.
Isaac loved to eat the wild animals that Esau caught. So Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob. But Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 25:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 25:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב
יִצְחָ֛ק
אֶת
עֵשָׂ֖ו
כִּי
צַ֣יִד
בְּ/פִ֑י/ו
וְ/רִבְקָ֖ה
אֹהֶ֥בֶת
אֶֽת
יַעֲקֹֽב
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
to love
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִצְחָ֛ק
Yitschâq
H3327
Isaac
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
עֵשָׂ֖ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
Esau
N-proper
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
צַ֣יִד
tsayid
H6718
wild game
N-ms
בְּ/פִ֑י/ו
peh
H6310
lip
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/רִבְקָ֖ה
Ribqâh
H7259
Rebekah
Conj | N-proper
אֹהֶ֥בֶת
ʼâhab
H157
to love
V-Qal
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
יַעֲקֹֽב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 25:28
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֥ב
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
יִצְחָ֛ק
Yitschâq
H3327
"Isaac"
N-proper
Isaac, son of Abraham and Sarah, means 'he laughs' and is the father of Esau and Israel. He is first mentioned in Genesis 17:19. Isaac is a key figure in the Bible, playing a role in the patriarchal stories.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.17.19; son of: Abraham (H0085) and Sarah (H8283); half-brother of: Ishmael (H3458), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); married to Rebekah (H7259); father of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478) § Isaac = "he laughs" son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Isaac. Compare H3446 (יִשְׂחָק). See also: Genesis 17:19; Genesis 27:30; 2 Chronicles 30:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
עֵשָׂ֖ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
"Esau"
N-proper
Esau was the son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, and his name means 'hairy'. He sold his birthright to Jacob and lost the divine blessing, as told in Genesis 25:29-34, and became the ancestor of the Arab peoples.
Definition: § Esau = "hairy" eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: Esau. See also: Genesis 25:25; Genesis 33:9; Jeremiah 49:8.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
צַ֣יִד
tsayid
H6718
"wild game"
N-ms
This word describes the food or provisions needed for a journey, often obtained through hunting. It can also refer to the act of hunting itself. In the KJV, it is translated as 'food', 'hunter', or 'venison'.
Definition: 1) hunting, game 1a) hunting 1b) game hunted
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] catcheth, food, [idiom] hunter, (that which he took in) hunting, venison, victuals. See also: Genesis 10:9; Genesis 27:31; Psalms 132:15.
בְּ/פִ֑י/ו
peh
H6310
"lip"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
וְ/רִבְקָ֖ה
Ribqâh
H7259
"Rebekah"
Conj | N-proper
Rebekah, the wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob, a key figure in Genesis chapters 24-27.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.22.23; daughter of: Bethuel (H1328A); sister of: Laban (H3837A); married to Isaac (H3327); mother of: Esau (H6215) and Israel (H3478) Also named: Rhebekka (Ῥεβέκκα "Rebekah" G4479) § Rebekah = "ensnarer" daughter of Bethuel, sister of Laban, wife of Isaac, and mother of Esau and Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: Rebekah. See also: Genesis 22:23; Genesis 25:21; Genesis 49:31.
אֹהֶ֥בֶת
ʼâhab
H157
"to love"
V-Qal
To love means to have affection for someone or something, including family, romance, or God. It can also describe being a friend or having appetite for things like food or wisdom.
Definition: : lover 1) to love 1a) (Qal) 1a1) human love for another, includes family, and sexual 1a2) human appetite for objects such as food, drink, sleep, wisdom 1a3) human love for or to God 1a4) act of being a friend 1a4a) lover (participle) 1a4b) friend (participle) 1a5) God's love toward man 1a5a) to individual men 1a5b) to people Israel 1a5c) to righteousness 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) lovely (participle) 1b2) loveable (participle) 1c) (Piel) 1c1) friends 1c2) lovers (fig. of adulterers) 2) to like Also means: a.hav (אָהֵב ": friend" H0157H)
Usage: Occurs in 195 OT verses. KJV: (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. See also: Genesis 22:2; Psalms 116:1; Psalms 4:3.
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
יַעֲקֹֽב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
Study Notes — Genesis 25:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 25:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 25:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 25:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 25:28
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
- Sermons on Genesis 25:28
Context — Jacob and Esau
26After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.
27When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
28Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. 30He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom. )Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 27:19 | Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me.” |
| 2 | Genesis 27:31 | He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.” |
| 3 | Genesis 27:4 | Then prepare a tasty dish that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.” |
| 4 | Genesis 27:9 | Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so that I can make them into a tasty dish for your father—the kind he loves. |
| 5 | Genesis 27:25 | “Serve me,” said Isaac, “and let me eat some of my son’s game, so that I may bless you.” Jacob brought it to him, and he ate; then he brought him wine, and he drank. |
| 6 | Genesis 27:6–7 | Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I overheard your father saying to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me a tasty dish to eat, so that I may bless you in the presence of the LORD before I die.’ |
Genesis 25:28 Summary
[Genesis 25:28 tells us that Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed the wild game that Esau would bring home, while Rebekah loved Jacob, showing that they had different preferences and affections within the family. This favoritism can lead to conflict and hurt, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:3-4. We can learn from this verse to love and care for all people equally, and not show favoritism, as God loves us all the same, as seen in John 3:16. By doing so, we can build stronger, more loving relationships with those around us, and reflect God's love to the world.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Isaac love Esau more than Jacob?
Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed the wild game that Esau, a skilled hunter, would bring home, as stated in Genesis 25:28, while Rebekah loved Jacob, highlighting the different preferences and affections within the family, similar to the favoritism shown in Genesis 29:30-31.
What does this verse reveal about the character of Esau and Jacob?
This verse shows Esau as a skilled hunter who provided for his family's physical needs, while Jacob is portrayed as a quiet and domestic individual, which is further highlighted in Genesis 25:27, and may indicate different strengths and weaknesses in their characters.
Is it wrong for parents to have favorite children?
While it's natural for parents to have different relationships with their children, the Bible teaches that we should love and care for all our children equally, as seen in Genesis 1:27 and Deuteronomy 6:5, and not show favoritism, as it can lead to conflict and hurt, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:3-4.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of Isaac and his family?
This verse sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the story of Isaac and his family, including the conflict between Esau and Jacob, and the ways in which their parents' favoritism will impact their relationships and the future of the family, as seen in Genesis 27:1-40 and Genesis 28:1-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I show favoritism to certain people or things in my life, and how can I work to treat all people with equal love and respect?
- How do I think Rebekah's love for Jacob and Isaac's love for Esau affected the relationships between the family members, and what can I learn from their example?
- What are some strengths and weaknesses that I have, and how can I use them to serve and love those around me, like Esau and Jacob used their skills to provide for their family?
- In what ways do I struggle with feelings of favoritism or jealousy, and how can I bring these feelings to God and ask for His help and guidance, as seen in Psalm 119:36?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 25:28
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison,.... Better than Jacob, not only because he was his firstborn, but because he brought him of the flesh of creatures, which he took in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 25:28
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
Isaac loved Esau, not simply nor chiefly because he pleased his palate, but because this was an evidence of his son’ s great respect and affection to him, that he would take such pains and incur such hazards to which that course of life exposed him, that he might please and serve his father. But Rebekah loved Jacob upon better grounds, both because of his more pious and meek temper, and because of the oracle and promise of God.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
Genesis 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.Ver. 28. And Isaac loved Esau, &c.] Here, as likewise in Manoah’ s wife, more grace appears in the woman than in the man; whose blind and misplaced love, for carnal ends, commends and illustrates the divine adoption.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
(28) Because he did eat of his venison.—Literally, because the venison—that is, the produce of Esau’s hunting—was in his mouth; in our phrase, was to his taste—was what he liked. The diet of an Arab sheik is very simple (see Note on Genesis 18:6); and Isaac, a man wanting in physical vigour and adventurousness—as is usually the case with the children of people far advanced in years—both admired the energy which Esau had inherited from Rebekah, and relished the fruits of it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
Verse 28. Isaac loved Esau - but Rebekah loved Jacob.] This is an early proof of unwarrantable parental attachment to one child in preference to another. Isaac loved Esau, and Rebekah loved Jacob; and in consequence of this the interests of the family were divided, and the house set in opposition to itself. The fruits of this unreasonable and foolish attachment were afterwards seen in a long catalogue of both natural and moral evils among the descendants of both families.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 25:28
28. because … venison] Cf. Genesis 27:3-4. Rebekah loved Jacob] i.e. more than Esau. We have in this verse the division of the two pairs, Isaac and Esau, Rebekah and Jacob, on which turns the narrative in chap. 27. The contrast between the hunter and the shepherd is drawn with a settled preference for the shepherd.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 25:28
28. Because he did eat — Literally, for hunting was in his mouth, that is, the results of hunting — game. Comp. Genesis 27:4.
Sermons on Genesis 25:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bless Me Father by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking spiritual recovery and not making false steps in life. He uses the story of Esau from the Bible as an example of s |
|
(Genesis) Genesis 33:18-20 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the sad and sordid chapter in the life of Jacob, who is now known as Israel. Jacob's life reflects a growth and development in his relationshi |
|
Momentary Pleasure by Charles Stanley | Charles Stanley emphasizes the danger of sacrificing our future for immediate gratification, using the story of Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew as an example. He war |
|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 37:29-33 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and his son Joseph. Jacob had deceived his own father in the past, and now he is deceived by his own sons who make him bel |
|
Election and Reprobation #13 Concerning Jacob and Esau by John Calvin | In this sermon, John Calvin focuses on the story of Isaac and his submission to the will of God. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a good reputation and not being ashamed |
|
Repentance, True and False by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead preaches on the contrast between true and false repentance as illustrated in the lives of Abraham and Jacob. Abraham's genuine repentance is shown through his immedi |