King James Version

What Does Genesis 25:30 Mean?

Genesis 25:30 in the King James Version says “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. with: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage Edom: that is Red”

Genesis 25:30 · KJV

Prayer

Context

28

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

29

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

30

And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. with: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage Edom: that is Red

31

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

32

And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? at: Heb. going to die

Read Genesis 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore ... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עֵשָׂ֜ו2 of 18

“And Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶֽל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַעֲקֹ֗ב4 of 18

“to Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי5 of 18

“Feed”

H3938

to swallow greedily; causatively, to feed

נָא֙6 of 18
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

מִן7 of 18

“me I pray thee with”

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽאָדֹם֙8 of 18

“red”

H122

rosy

הָֽאָדֹם֙9 of 18

“red”

H122

rosy

הַזֶּ֔ה10 of 18
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּ֥י11 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

עָיֵ֖ף12 of 18

“pottage for I am faint”

H5889

languid

אָנֹ֑כִי13 of 18
H595

i

עַל14 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֥ן15 of 18
H3651

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

קָרָֽא16 of 18

“called”

H7121

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

שְׁמ֖וֹ17 of 18

“therefore was his name”

H8034

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

אֱדֽוֹם׃18 of 18

“Edom”

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

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 25:30 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 25:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 36:1Numbers 20:14-21Exodus 15:15Genesis 36:9Genesis 36:432 Kings 8:20

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 25 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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