Genesis 25:27

a cunning hunter That is a skilful, expert hunter. The word "cunning" is used in its old English sense, with no idea of craft or deceit; see 1 Samuel 16:16. The Heb. means having a knowledge of the chase. LXX εἰδὼς κυνηγεῖν, Lat. gnarus venandi.

a man of the field i.e. a man who spends his days in the open country. But this meaning is missed by the versions, LXX ἄγροικος, Lat. agricola.

a plain man i.e., as R.V. marg., quietor harmless, Lat. integer. "Plain," in Old English, is used for "simple," "honest": cf. "For he [Antonius] was a plaineman, without subletie" (North's Plutarch, Antonius, p. 979); "Plaine, faithful, true, and enimy of shame" (Spenser, F. Q., i. 6, § 20).

The meaning seems to be that of a solid, simple, home-abiding man. LXX ἄπλαστος, Lat. simplex. Cf. the German fromm.

dwelling in tents Cf. Genesis 4:20. The life of Jacob, the herdsman and the shepherd, is contrasted with that of the fierce and roving huntsman. The ideal patriarchal habit of life seems to be pastoral.