No sooner had Jacob left his father's tent than Esau entered. Though he had sold his birthright, and confirmed the transfer by a solemn oath, he was now determined to secure its blessings, regardless of his brother's claim. With the spiritual was connected the temporal birthright, which would give him the headship of the family and possession of a double portion of his father's 181 wealth. These were blessings that he could value. "Let my father arise," he said, "and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me."

Næppe havde Jakob forladt sin faders telt, før Esau kom ind. Skønt han havde solgt sin førstefødselsret og bekræftet det med en højtidelig ed, var han nu fast besluttet på at sikre sig dens velsignelser uden hensyn til broderens krav. Til den åndelige førstefødselsret var knyttet den timelige, der ville give ham ledelsen af familien og en dobbelt andel i faderens rigdom. Det var velsignelser, han værdsatte. "Vil min fader sætte sig op og spise af sin søns vildt, for at din sjæl kan velsigne mig!"