King James Version

What Does Genesis 25:26 Mean?

Genesis 25:26 in the King James Version says “And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Genesis 25:26 · KJV


Context

24

And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25

And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

26

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

27

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

28

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. he: Heb. venison was in his mouth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called ... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Abraham's Death emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְאַֽחֲרֵי1 of 17

And after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כֵ֞ן2 of 17
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יָצָ֣א3 of 17

out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אָחִ֗יו4 of 17

his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְיָד֤וֹ5 of 17

and his hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֹחֶ֙זֶת֙6 of 17

took hold

H270

to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)

בַּֽעֲקֵ֣ב7 of 17

heel

H6119

a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army)

עֵשָׂ֔ו8 of 17

on Esau's

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

וַיִּקְרָ֥א9 of 17

was called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמ֖וֹ10 of 17

and his name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב11 of 17

Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְיִצְחָ֛ק12 of 17

and Isaac

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

בֶּן13 of 17

old

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שִׁשִּׁ֥ים14 of 17

was threescore

H8346

sixty

שָׁנָ֖ה15 of 17

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

בְּלֶ֥דֶת16 of 17

when she bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

אֹתָֽם׃17 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 25:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 25:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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