Genesis

Abraham takes another wife named Keturah, and she bears him many more children. After giving his possessions to Isaac, Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah. Afterward, Isaac settles at Beer-lahai-roi. Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, has 12 sons, all of them princes and leaders of tribes, and dies at age 137. His sons settle on either side of the Red Sea.

The narrative turns to Isaac’s descendants. At first, Isaac’s wife Rebekah is barren, but after Isaac prays for her, she conceives twins. The twins wrestle in Rebekah’s womb until she prays to the LORD in distress. God tells her that “two nations,” a stronger and a weaker, are in her womb.

When Rebekah gives birth, the first twin comes out looking red and hairy, so they name him Esau. The second twin emerges clutching Esau’s heel, so he is named Jacob. As the boys grow up, Esau becomes a hunter, while Jacob prefers a quiet life. Isaac shares Esau’s love of wild game and is partial to him, but Rebekah favors Jacob.

One day, while Jacob is cooking a stew, Esau comes in from the field and hungrily demands some of the food. Jacob tells Esau he must first sell his birthright. Esau swears accordingly, so Jacob gives him some bread and lentil stew.