Jacob and Esau

I’m sure you remember the story of Jacob and Esau. But if the following brief summary is not familiar to you, read the whole story beginning in Genesis 25:19.

24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau.
26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.
(Genesis 25:24-27 ESV)

Twins, but nothing alike. Would you describe Esau as a man’s man and Jacob as a Momma’s boy? Can you imagine what our current culture would say about these two boys?

The first Hebrew word to describe Jacob is “tam”. The English Standard Version and the Christian Standard Bible translates it as “quiet man”. The New American Standard translates it as “peaceful man”; the New International Version as “content to stay home”’ the New English Translation as “even-tempered man; the King James Version as “a plain man”.

Job is described by God with the same Hebrew word, It is translated by the ESV as “blameless and upright”.

Jacob and Esau. Two twins but nothing alike in many respects. Yet both strong men who led their families to become two nations of people. Jacob was not like his brother, but there was nothing weak about him.