It’s easy to find out the Spiritual meaning of esau Esau. I would like to find the meaning of esau in the Bible. The more common definition refers to Esau as a person. This definition is derived from the reference in Genesis, chapter 25, verse 29, where Esau is referred to as “Esau the Edomite.” The name ‘Edom’ is a derivative of the Hebrew word for red and the color red was considered a symbol of Esau’s evil character. We will also look into the Jacob and Esau summary to put you in perspective. [Genesis 25:30] … Another meaning of Esau has to do with an attribute or characteristic ascribed to such a person, place or thing. This is also called a figurative definition.
This meaning is derived from Genesis, chapter 25, verse 29, when Esau was said to have had a hairy body like an animal resembling a hairy wolf. [Genesis 25:27] To understand the figurative meaning of Esau, we need to take into account certain other biblical details regarding this specific Passover mentioned above. The sequence of events that took place that day in Egypt merits some consideration in this regard. [Exodus 4:19] … According to the Book of Genesis, Esau and Jacob were the twin sons of Isaac, born to the same mother Rebecca, 11 years after the first son, Ishmael, who was born of their father Abraham’s union with his half-sister Hagar.
Meaning of Esau in Hebrew
Esau, also known as Edom, was the elder twin brother of Jacob and the son of Isaac and Rebekah. The name “Esau” is derived from the Hebrew word ”Esav” which means “hairy” or “rough.” This name describes Esau’s physical appearance as he was born covered in red hair.
However, the Hebrew meaning of Esau’s name goes beyond his physical attributes. Esau’s name can also be understood as symbolic of his impulsive and worldly nature. In Hebrew culture, names carried deep meanings and often reflected a person’s character or destiny.
In the Bible, Esau is portrayed as a man driven by his earthly desires and immediate gratification. He is characterized as a hunter and a skilled outdoorsman, emphasizing his focus on physical pleasures and the things of this world.
Spiritual Meaning Of Esau
The spiritual meaning of Esau is that you are ready for change and growth. You have been waiting for this time to come, but you do not know when it will be. You have been waiting for a long time for your purpose in life, but it may be more difficult than you think. The spiritual meaning of Esau is a sign that your life is about to change completely.
You have been waiting for this time to come, but you do not know when it will be. You have been waiting for a long time for your purpose in life, but it may be more difficult than you think. The spiritual meaning of Esau is a sign that your life is about to change completely.
Esau was the twin brother of Jacob, and they were both born to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was a hunter and a man of the field; he was also known for being a man who loved luxury and worldly pleasures. He sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for some stew, which he later regretted doing.
In the book of Romans, Paul uses Esau as an example of how people can be deceived by their desires into making bad decisions that they later regret. This is because Paul believed that people could not choose between good and evil on their own – instead, they are always influenced by outside forces such as society or other people’s opinions about them before acting on those feelings in order to get what they want most at any given time (in this case, it would be food).
Esau, whose name means “hairy,” was the twin brother of Jacob. Since Esau was born first, he was the elder son who inherited the all-important birthright, a Jewish law that made him the major heir in his father Isaac’s will.
Life Lessons from Esau
“Instant gratification” is a modern term, but it applied to the Old Testament character Esau, whose shortsightedness led to disastrous consequences in his life. Sin always has consequences, even if they are not immediately apparent. Esau rejected spiritual things in favor of his urgent physical needs. Following God is always the wisest choice.
Esau’s Story in the Bible
Once, when the red-haired Esau came home famished from hunting, he found his brother Jacob cooking stew. Esau asked Jacob for some stew, but Jacob demanded that Esau first sell him his birthright. Esau made a poor choice, not considering the consequences. He swore to Jacob and exchanged his precious birthright for a mere bowl of stew.
Later, when Isaac’s eyesight had failed, he sent his son Esau out to hunt for game to make a meal, planning to give Esau his blessing after. Isaac’s scheming wife Rebekah overheard and quickly prepared meat. Then she put goatskins on her favorite son Jacob’s arms and neck so that when Isaac touched them, he would think it was his hairy son Esau. Jacob thus impersonated Esau, and Isaac blessed him by mistake.
When Esau returned and found out what had happened, he became furious. He asked for another blessing, but it was too late. Isaac told his firstborn son he would have to serve Jacob, but would later “throw his yoke from off your neck.” (Genesis 27:40, NIV)
Because of his treachery, Jacob feared Esau would kill him. He fled to his uncle Laban in Paddan Aram. Again choosing his own way, Esau married two Hittite women, angering his parents. To try to make amends, he married Mahalath, a cousin, but she was a daughter of Ishmael, the outcast.
Twenty years later, Jacob had become a rich man. He went back home but was terrified of meeting Esau, who had become a powerful warrior with an army of 400 men. Jacob sent servants ahead with flocks of animals as gifts for Esau.
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Genesis 33:4, NIV)
Jacob returned to Canaan and Esau went to Mount Seir. Jacob, whom God renamed Israel, became the father of the Jewish nation through his twelve sons. Esau, also named Edom, became the father of the Edomites, an enemy of ancient Israel. The Bible does not mention Esau’s death.
A very confusing verse regarding Esau appears in Romans 9:13: Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (NIV) Understanding that the names Jacob stood for Israel and Esau stood for the Edomite people helps us decipher what is meant.
If we substitute “chose” for “loved” and “did not choose” for “hated,” the meaning becomes clearer: Israel God chose, but Edom God did not choose.
God chose Abraham and the Jews, from whom the Savior Jesus Christ would come. The Edomites, founded by Esau who sold his birthright, were not the chosen line.
Esau In The Bible
Esau, a skilled archer, became rich and powerful, the father of the Edomite people. Without doubt, his greatest accomplishment was forgiving his brother Jacob after Jacob had cheated him out of his birthright and blessing.
Strengths
Esau was strong-willed and a leader of men. On his own, he founded a mighty nation in Seir, as detailed in Genesis 36.
Weaknesses
His impulsiveness often led Esau to make bad decisions. He thought only of his momentary needs, giving little thought to the future.
Hometown
Canaan
References to Esau in the Bible
Esau’s story appears in Genesis 25-36. Other mentions include Malachi 1:2, 3; Romans 9:13; and Hebrews 12:16, 17.
Occupation
Hunter and warrior.
Family Tree
- Father: Isaac
- Mother: Rebekah
- Brother: Jacob
- Wives: Judith, Basemath, Mahalath
Key Verse
Genesis 25:23
The LORD said to her (Rebekah), “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”(NIV)
Jacob And Esau Summary
This is one of the many stories that we read in Genesis. A love story between siblings and brothers, a story of jealousy, contention and revenge, led to the birth of 12 tribes of Israelites. Jacob’s birth and his life with his brother Esau were fraught with controversies. This made him work harder and long for more. The Bible tells us Jacob had second thoughts but followed through and became one of the greatest patriarchs in history.
The deaths of Jacob and Esau’s father, Isaac, are the beginning of the end for the two brothers. This is because from now on, their quarrel will be about the dominion of their father’s blessing. Due to this inheritance dispute, Jacob must leave his mother and his brother Esau to go to his uncle Laban in Haran
Surprising Meaning and Lessons from the Lives of Jacob and Esau
The relationship between Jacob and Esau is, no doubt, one of the more colorful stories of Scripture. The twins are continually seen at odds, with Jacob winning out over his older brother time and again. In fact, we may wonder why the manipulative and selfish Jacob is even considered a hero of faith at all. The more positive events of his life, such as his vision of the angelic ladder, his marrying of Rachel, and his wrestling with the angel of the Lord, all occur against the backdrop of his constant deceit. Furthermore, where Jacob is duplicitous, Esau is someone who “consoles himself with thoughts of killing Jacob” (Genesis 27:42). One cannot be faulted for questioning what this biblical account may have to teach us.
Who Are Jacob and Esau in the Bible?
Jacob and Esau are the grandchildren of Abraham, the one with whom God established a covenant. Thus, the two brothers occupy an important place in God’s cultivation of a chosen nation. Scripture testifies that the two twins, born of Rebekah, represent two opposing nations (Genesis 25:23). Jacob’s descendants become known as the Israelites, while Esau’s descendants are termed “Edomites” Although Esau is the older of the two, God’s redemptive activity follows Jacob’s line. “The elder will serve the younger.”
What Happened between Jacob and Esau?
Jacob and Esau are complete opposites. Esau is described as a skillful hunter, red in hue, and covered with hair. In fact, the name “Esau” means “hairy.” He also goes by the name Edom, meaning red, which is why his descendants are called the Edomites. Jacob is his direct opposite. Where Esau is red and hairy, Jacob comes across as fair, with smooth skin. He is born grasping the heel of Esau, so is given the name Jacob. In Hebrew culture, grasping the heel was a figurative way to express deception. After losing his blessing, Esau laments; “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? (deceiver)” (Genesis 37:36, parentheses added). Like Esau, Jacob lives into the meaning behind his name. Jacob is the consummate manipulator and comes across us unyieldingly selfish.
We first see discord between the brothers when Jacob barters his brother out of his birthright. In the ancient world, the first-born son received a double portion of the family inheritance. This double portion conveyed that the eldest male child preserved the family lineage. In this way, the first-born child held a position of honor, respect, authority, and (depending on the resources of the family), financial security. For nothing more than a bowl of red stew, Esau forsakes that which is rightfully his and hands it over to Jacob.
Jacob also steals Esau’s parental blessing. This blessing, spoken by the father, involved the transfer of familial leadership to the first-born son. The blessing also served as a prophetic proclamation of how God would act on behalf of the individual, and the family. Isaac, blind and on his deathbed, desires is to give his final blessing to Esau. With the encouragement of Rebekah, however, Jacob poses as Esau and steals his father’s blessing. Esau responds to this by promising to murder his brother.
What Can We Learn from The Differences of these Brothers?
When we look at the relationship between the two brothers, we see a certain degree of complementarity between them. Esau is the consummate hunter. While not very strategically minded (he did after all trade his birthright for a bowl of stew), he is resourceful and skilled. He grows his resources to a place of plenty through his own skill and labor. Jacob also amasses plenty of resources, but only grows his flock through manipulation. Jacob has a keen intellect and a strategic mind.
Jacob and Esau’s uniqueness is woven into their very creation. Their skills and aptitudes are gifts of God. Jacob is not called to be Esau, nor is Esau called to be Jacob. Each brother brings unique skills, perceptions, and abilities to bear. One can only wonder what the two may have accomplished if they had allowed their strengths to work together. Rather than being continuously at odds, what if the two chose to bless each other instead?
Unfortunately, Jacob and Esau rarely work together. They exist in a combative relationship. This combativeness cannot be solely ascribed to “sibling rivalry.” One of the unfortunate things we see in the narrative is the playing of favorites by both Isaac and Rebekah. The text says definitively that “Isaac, who had a taste for while game, loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Genesis 25:28) The parents stoke the fires of rivalry between the two boys by placing one child over the other. Just as we might wonder what it may have looked like if Jacob and Esau had worked together, we might also ponder what their relationship might have been if Isaac and Rebekah had loved their children equally.
Unfortunately, because Jacob grew up in a family-system rooted in favoritism, he embodies this very dynamic toward his own children. Jacob loves his wife Rachel more than Leah, and thus favors Rachel’s children over Lea’s. Jacob’s ultimate expression of favoritism is toward Joseph displaying this physically in the gifting of a multi-colored coat. Joseph becomes hated by his brothers, who eventually, sell him into slavery.
3 Surprising Lessons from the Story and Lives of Jacob and Esau
Given Jacob’s manipulative character, and the manner in which he treats Esau, what lesson are we to glean? How does the story of Jacob and Esau lead us into a deeper recognition of God’s place and activity in our lives? Can we find anything redeemable in the story of these two warring brothers?
1. God Redeems All
It is remarkable to see how redemption comes to these alienated twins. As Jacob journeys to be reunited with Esau (Genesis 33), we see a shift in his personality. Jacob is no longer rooted in selfish gain. As he prepares to meet Esau, Jacob prays “I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown to your servant… I am afraid that Esau will attack me, and also the mothers with their children” (Genesis 32: 10-12). During the years, God formed Jacob to be a man with a repentant spirit and a concern for his family. This is certainly a far cry from the self-focused manipulation of his youth.
There is also growth with Esau. After the loss of his blessing, Esau breathes murderous threats upon his brother. This is why Jacob fears reunification. Yet when Esau approaches Jacob there is no hint of animosity or resentment. “Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (Genesis 33:4). Scripture doesn’t record what occurred in Esau’s life over those years, but it is safe to say that God softened in his heart. The fire of revenge slowly turned into the warmth of compassion.
The embracing of Jacob and Esau is a wonderful testimony to God’s ability to redeem even the messiest of situations in our lives. Even if we feel that forgiveness or restoration is impossible, God is able to soften the hardest of hearts and work reconciliation amongst family members or friends. Importantly, this may take some time. Reconciliation is never instantaneous. Yet for Jacob and Esau, and for us, under the guidance of God’s loving and gracious hand, forgiveness and redemption are always possible.
2. God Works Against the Grain
In choosing to establish the redemptive plan through Jacob, the younger brother, God moves against the grain of worldly expectation. This is a constant trend in scripture. Jacob is an unlikely hero, but then again, so is Moses, David, Rahab, Ruth, Peter, and Paul. God chooses that which is weak in the eyes of the world to testify to the surpassing greatness of God’s own power. Ultimately, salvation occurs not through our own mastery or expertise, but in responding to the gracious invitation of our ever-loving Lord.
As we recognize how God works through Jacob’s experiences, flawed and troublesome as they are, we are led to consider how God may be present in our own life circumstances. Jacob’s experience of redemption encourages us to consider how God may be moving outside of our own worldly expectations. Could there be a blessing coming from an unexpected place in our life?
3. Blessing Is Not Devoid of Struggle
We can easily assume that the life of blessing involves an easy and trouble-free existence. But this is not what we see with Jacob, nor in fact, is that what we see in any hero of faith. Jacob’s life is rarely devoid of struggle or hardship. His life is a constant battle. His father’s blessing is met only with murderous threats and familial isolation. Having been just declared the head of the family, he must now leave the family in fear of his life.
The blessings of God do not necessarily remove us from the difficulties of life. In fact, at times, the blessings of God can actually call us into places of hardship or struggle. Yet while God’s blessings over us do not take us away from difficulty, they declare the presence of God in the midst of the difficulty. God’s blessing testifies that something deeper is always at play in our lives. As Jacob discovered in Bethel, we are called to discover that “the Lord is in this place” (Genesis 30:17). Understanding ourselves as blessed by God means recognizing how our lives are continually lived within God’s redemptive work.
The story of Jacob and Esau is not an easy fable of well-defined morality. It has no clear winners or losers; Jacob is never a perfect character. Yet ultimately, as in all biblical accounts, our eyes are not to be fixed on human individuals. We must cast our vision upon God’s presence and activity. Despite the rivalry, favoritism, deception, anger, and discord, the account of Jacob and Esau testifies to a God who continually works within human life. God is present in the lives of these people. God works redemption, forgiveness, and ultimately, salvation. Such activity may not always be in the forefront of life, but it is there. Similarly, we can claim, in faith, that God makes redemption available in our lives. As flawed as we might be, or as prone to wrong decisions as Jacob was, we can be confident in God’s loving regard, and God’s willingness to redeem.