Genesis 25:31

this day Rather, as R.V. marg., first of all. So also in Genesis 25:33. See 1 Samuel 2:16, "they will surely burn the fat presently," where "presently" = Heb. "this day," i.e. "first of all." The same idiom explains 1 Kings 22:5, where "to-day" should be rendered "first of all."

Jacob seizes his opportunity: Esau is too faint to question or oppose: the coveted privilege may be won at once by a bold bid.

thy birthright i.e. the rights and privileges of the firstborn. What these were is not defined. In 27 the blessing of the firstborn is chiefly regarded as a religious privilege rather than as a transfer of property. But it is clear from Genesis 43:33; Genesis 48:13-19, that the firstborn was regarded as entitled to a more honourable position and to a larger share of the inheritance than his brethren (cf. Deuteronomy 21:17). Jacob's action on this occasion is recorded without disapproval. There is probably a touch of humour in the tradition, that by a stroke of cleverness Jacob, the younger, deprived his elder brother Esau of the advantage of the birthright; and, hence, Israel obtained a richer and more fertile land than Edom. The carelessness of Esau rather than the meanness of Jacob seems to meet with the contempt of the narrator.