Genesis 25:27

25 The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau.

26 After 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.

When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.

28 Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
KJV
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
WEB
The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.
ASV
And the boys grew. And Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field. And Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.
DARBY
And the boys grew, and Esau became a man skilled in hunting, a man of the field; and Jacob was a homely man, dwelling in tents.
BLB
And the boys grew, and Esau was a skillful man, a hunter and a man of the field; Jacob was a blameless man, dwelling in tents.
ÅB
Da nå guttene vokste til, ble Esau en dyktig jeger, en mann som holdt til i skog og mark; men Jakob var en stillferdig mann, som holdt seg ved teltene.
OTB
Guttene vokste opp, og Esau ble en dyktig jeger, en mann av det åpne landet, mens Jakob var en rolig mann, som bodde i telt.
B1930
Da nu guttene vokste til, blev Esau en dyktig jeger, en mann som holdt til i skog og mark; men Jakob var en stillferdig mann, som holdt sig ved teltene.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hebrews 11:9

    By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 21:20

    And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 28:10–11

    Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 6:9

    This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 10:9

    He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 27:40

    You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 46:34

    you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

    Read in context
  • Genesis 27:3–5

    Take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me.

    Read in context