33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Other Translations of Genesis 25:33

King James Version

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

English Standard Version

33 Jacob said, "Swear to me now." So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.

The Message

33 Jacob said, "First, swear to me." And he did it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn.

New King James Version

33 Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

New Living Translation

33 But Jacob said, "First you must swear that your birthright is mine." So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 25:33

Commentary on Genesis 25:29-34

(Read Genesis 25:29-34)

We have here the bargain made between Jacob and Esau about the right, which was Esau's by birth, but Jacob's by promise. It was for a spiritual privilege; and we see Jacob's desire of the birth-right, but he sought to obtain it by crooked courses, not like his character as a plain man. He was right, that he coveted earnestly the best gifts; he was wrong, that he took advantage of his brother's need. The inheritance of their father's worldly goods did not descend to Jacob, and was not meant in this proposal. But it includeth the future possession of the land of Canaan by his children's children, and the covenant made with Abraham as to Christ the promised Seed. Believing Jacob valued these above all things; unbelieving Esau despised them. Yet although we must be of Jacob's judgment in seeking the birth-right, we ought carefully to avoid all guile, in seeking to obtain even the greatest advantages. Jacob's pottage pleased Esau's eye. "Give me some of that red;" for this he was called Edom, or Red. Gratifying the sensual appetite ruins thousands of precious souls. When men's hearts walk after their own eyes, verse 34. It is the greatest folly to part with our interest in God, and Christ, and heaven, for the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world; it is as bad a bargain as his who sold a birth-right for a dish of pottage. Esau ate and drank, pleased his palate, satisfied his appetite, and then carelessly rose up and went his way, without any serious thought, or any regret, about the bad bargain he had made. Thus Esau despised his birth-right. By his neglect and contempt afterwards, and by justifying himself in what he had done, he put the bargain past recall. People are ruined, not so much by doing what is amiss, as by doing it and not repenting of it.