Patriarchs and their families · Old Testament
The Story of Jacob and Esau
Twin brothers struggle from birth: Jacob takes Esau’s birthright and blessing, flees, wrestles with God, and years later the brothers meet again in peace.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Isaac and Rebekah’s twins struggle even before they are born. Esau sells his birthright for a meal, and Jacob, helped by Rebekah, takes the blessing Isaac meant for Esau. Genesis 25:21–34Genesis 27:1–40
Jacob flees to Haran, meets God at Bethel, and twenty years later returns. After wrestling through the night at Peniel he meets Esau, who runs to embrace him. Genesis 28:10–22Genesis 32:22–32Genesis 33:1–4
Principal passages
People in this story
Places named
- Bethel Genesis 28:19
- Haran Genesis 28:10
- Peniel Genesis 32:30
- Seir, Esau’s country Genesis 33:14–16
Only places the passages name. Locations are not guessed.
The story, event by event
In the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here.
The birthright sold
Esau comes in hungry from the field and sells his birthright to Jacob for bread and lentil stew.
Jacob flees
Esau plans to kill Jacob after Isaac’s death, so Rebekah sends Jacob to her brother Laban in Haran.
The dream at Bethel
On the way, Jacob dreams of a stairway reaching heaven. The LORD promises him the land, descendants and his presence, and Jacob names the place Bethel.
Wrestling at Peniel
Returning home and afraid of Esau, Jacob sends gifts ahead and prays. That night a man wrestles with him until daybreak, renames him Israel, and blesses him; Jacob limps away.
The brothers meet
Esau runs to meet Jacob, embraces him and kisses him, and they weep. Jacob says that seeing Esau’s face is like seeing the face of God. They part in peace.
Isaac’s burial
Isaac dies at a great age, and his sons Esau and Jacob bury him together.
Related and parallel passages
- Genesis 32:3–21 Supporting passage · Wrestling at Peniel — Jacob’s fear, his prayer and his gifts to Esau
Later in the Bible
Later passages that recall or interpret this story. They are not events within it.
- Hosea 12:3–4 Direct reference — Hosea recalls Jacob taking his brother by the heel and struggling with the angel.
- Malachi 1:2–3 Direct reference — “I loved Jacob, but Esau I hated”, spoken about the two nations descended from them.
- Romans 9:10–13 Teaching or quotation mentioning them — Paul uses the twins to speak of God’s choice.
- Hebrews 12:16–17 Direct reference — Esau is a warning: he sold his birthright for a single meal.
Connected themes
- Reconciliation Illustrates the theme
Brothers reconciled after twenty years. Genesis 33:4
Related life situations
- Family Conflict Illustrates the theme
A family divided by favouritism and deceit, later reconciled. Genesis 25:28Genesis 33:4
- Betrayal
Esau is deceived by his brother. Genesis 27:35–36
Questions for study
Written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
- What does Genesis 25:28 say about each parent’s favourite, and how does that shape the story?
- How does Jacob pray in Genesis 32:9-12 when he is afraid?
- What changes between Genesis 27:41 and 33:4?
- Why do you think Jacob says Esau’s face is like the face of God (Genesis 33:10)?
Study guides
- Understanding the Book of Genesis
Lesson five in story form. Genesis 32:22–32
Use offline
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