Bible Strands
Genesis 25:27
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes the adult twins immediately after recording their birth and Isaac’s age at that event. The account follows the naming of Jacob at his birth and precedes the parents’ differing preferences for the boys.
The words — יֹדֵעַ צַיִד (yo.de.a' Tza.yid) literally means “knew hunting,” describing Esau’s proficiency in the field. The verb יִגְדְּלוּ (yig.de.lu) marks the transition from childhood to adulthood that triggers this character distinction.
The thread — The contrast between field activity and domestic settlement parallels the wilderness settlement of Ishmael in Genesis 21:20 and the tent-dwelling of the patriarchs in Hebrews 11:9. It stands apart from the righteousness and divine fellowship described in Genesis 6:9.
Why it lands — The text establishes a behavioral divide that directly explains the parental favoritism recorded in Genesis 25:28. It requires the reader to observe how innate disposition shapes family dynamics before any narrative conflict unfolds.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
Cross-references
- Genesis 21:20 And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer.
- Hebrews 11:9 By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
- Genesis 6:9 This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God.
- Genesis 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”
- Genesis 28:10 Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.
- Genesis 27:3 Take your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out into the field to hunt some game for me.
- Genesis 27:40 You shall live by the sword and serve your brother. But when you rebel, you will tear his yoke from your neck.”
- Genesis 31:39 I did not bring you anything torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for what was stolen by day or night.
- Genesis 46:34 you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”
- Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.