Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac, present a striking contrast, both in character and in life. This unlikeness was foretold by the angel of God before their birth. When in answer to Rebekah's troubled prayer he declared that two sons would be given her, he opened to her their future history, that each would become the head of a mighty nation, but that one would be greater than the other, and that the younger would have the pre-eminence. Esau grew up loving self-gratification and centering all his interest in the present. Impatient of restraint, he delighted in the wild freedom of the chase, and early chose the life of a hunter. Yet he was the father's favorite. The quiet, peace-loving shepherd was attracted by the daring and vigor of this elder son, who fearlessly ranged over mountain and desert, returning home with game for his father and with exciting accounts of his adventurous life. Jacob, thoughtful, diligent, and care-taking, ever thinking more of the future than the present, was content to dwell at home, occupied in the care of the flocks and the tillage of the soil. His patient perseverance, thrift, and foresight were valued by the mother. His affections were deep and strong, and his gentle, unremitting attentions added far more to her happiness than did the boisterous and occasional kindnesses of Esau. To Rebekah, Jacob was the dearer son.

Dette kapitel er bygget op over 1 Mos 25,19-34; 27
Jakob og Esau, Isaks tvillingesønner, er store modsætninger både med hensyn til karakter og levned. Denne forskel blev forudsagt af Guds engel før deres fødsel. Da englen som svar på Rebekkas bekymrede bøn erklærede, at hun skulle få to sønner, åbenbarede han deres fremtid for hende og sagde, at begge to ville blive ledere af et stort folk, men at den ene ville blive større end den anden, og at den yngste ville få forrangen.

Esau elskede selvtilfredsstillelse og gik fuldstændig op i det nærværende. Han tålte ikke begrænsninger i sin handlefrihed. Han nød jægerens vilde, frie liv og valgte tidligt dette som sin livsgerning. Esau var sin faders yndling. Den stille, fredselskende hyrde følte sig tiltrukket af sin ældste søns dristighed og kraft. Esau strejfede frygtløst over bjerge og igennem ørkener, og når han vendte hjem til sin fader med vildt, fortalte han spændende beretninger om sine eventyrlige oplevelser. Jakob, der var eftertænksom, flittig og omsorgsfuld og altid tænkte mere på fremtiden end på nuet, var tilfreds med at bo hjemme, optaget af at passe kvæget og dyrke jorden. Hans tålmodighed og udholdenhed, sparsommelighed og forsigtighed blev værdsat af moderen. Hans kærlighed var dyb og stærk, og hans blide, uafladelige bevågenhed bidrog mere til hendes lykke end de impulsive og mere tilfældige udslag af Esaus venlighed. Rebekka holdt mest af Jakob.