Esau Sells His Rights as the Firstborn Son to Jacob

25:27-34

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter and he enjoyed being in the open country, but Jacob had a quiet personality and preferred to work at home. 28 Isaac’s favorite son was Esau, because he liked to eat the meat of wild animals that Esau hunted, whereas Rebekah’s favorite son was Jacob.

29 One day when Jacob was making some soup, Esau came home from hunting out in the open country and he felt weak and hungry. 30 So Esau requested from Jacob, “Please let me have some of that very red soup because I feel weak and hungry!” That is why Esau’s nickname was Edom, which means “red.” 31 But Jacob replied, “First trade your rights as the oldest son to me for the soup, then I will give you some.” 32 Esau responded, “Look, I am about to die from hunger! So my birthright is of no use to me right now.” 33 Jacob insisted, “First make a vow to me today before God that your rights are now mine!” So Esau vowed to Jacob that he had traded his rights as the oldest son to him for the soup. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some of the lentil soup with some bread, and Esau quickly ate the meal and left. In that way, Esau treated his birthright carelessly as if it had no value.