Jacob and Esau

The biblical Book of Genesis speaks of the relationship between fraternal twins Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac and Rebekah.

[7] In the interpretation of Daniel J. Elazar, Esau acts impulsively: "Esau demonstrates that he does not deserve to be the one who continues Abraham's responsibilities and rewards under God's covenant, since he does not have the steady, thoughtful qualities which are required... Jacob shows his willingness as well as his greater intelligence and forethought... What he does is not quite honorable, though not illegal.

Esau could have overcome the sale of his birthright; Isaac was still prepared to give him the blessing due the firstborn.

Elazar suggests the Bible indicates that a bright, calculating person, even if he is less than honest at times, is preferable as a founder over a bluff, impulsive one who cannot make discriminating choices.

[10] In Genesis 27:5–7, Rebecca overhears Isaac tell Esau, "Bring me venison and prepare a savoury food, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death."

Rebecca counsels Jacob to pretend to be Esau, in order to obtain the blessing in his brother's stead.

He dressed himself in Esau's best clothes and disguised himself by covering his arms in lamb skin so that if his blind father touched him, he would think Jacob his more hirsute brother.

Jacob brought Isaac a dish of goat meat prepared by Rebecca to taste like venison.

[12] At Rebecca's urging, Jacob flees to a distant land to work for his mother's brother, Laban.

Jacob, having fled for his life, leaves behind the wealth of Isaac's flocks and land and tents in Esau's hands.

[28] Justus Knecht comments that: "The Wisdom of God, which makes good come out of evil, can be learnt from this story.

Jacob, especially, was strengthened in confidence in God, and purified by the very consequences of his deceit, his long exile and servitude.

In it, king Mama Dinga sends his servant to bring him his eldest son after midnight so that he could tell him things he needed to know, as he felt he would die soon.

As the servant was mistreated by all of his sons, except by the youngest one, he decided to tell him to disguise himself in his brother's robe and wear his arm ring.

Hendrick ter Brugghen , Esau Selling His Birthright , c. 1627 .
The Mess of Pottage (watercolor circa 1896–1902 by James Tissot )
Horst, Gerrit Willemsz . - Isaac blessing Jacob
Peter Paul Rubens , The Reconciliation of Jacob and Esau , 1624.
"When [Isaac] told Jacob, “Come closer that I may feel you, my son,” (Gen 27 21) Jacob urinated onto his calves, and his heart became as soft as wax, and God assigned to him two angels, one on his right and one on his left, in order to hold him up by his elbows." Genesis Rabbah 65:19 [ 25 ] [ 26 ]