Did Jacob really steal Esau's blessing?

Answer 1

Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal which is an example of the little value Esau placed upon his right as first born. At the time Esau swore to Jacob that he would honour the sale. It appears Jacob's mother was the instigator of the deception. In respect to Isaac's part, he was nearly blind and so was easily deceived by the animal fur fitted to Jacob's forearm to create the impression that it was Esau he gave the blessing to. It must be remembered that Esau and Isaac were twins and the only obvious visible difference between them was Esau's hairiness. Once Isaac had prayed to God for a blessing upon Jacob by mistake, he could not retract or nullify the blessing. The fact that Esau married a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Ishmael, Isaac's step brother, without Isaac's consent, the covenant line was broken. I imagine this factor would have been very significant in respect to God's intent. It is a pretty interesting story; In the process of Esau and Jacob's birth, Jacob took hold of Esau's heel when he arrived first. The people of Esau or Edom are scattered amongst the Arab countries to this present day. In any event, it is not the birthright that saves a man, it is righteousness.

• Answer 2

The birthright was sold to Jacob willingly, by Esau himself.

Years later, Jacob posed as Esau in Isaac's presence (Genesis ch.27) and received blessings that would have been given to Esau.

Jacob is not to blame, for the following reasons:

1) The word of God had informed their mother Rebecca that Jacob the younger son would be the favored one; the one to prevail (Genesis 25:23). Acting on this, she commanded Jacob to pose as Esau and seek Isaac's blessings (27:6-10), despite his preferring not to do so (27:11).

2) When Esau willingly sold Jacob his birthright (25:31-34), he thereby relinquished any claim to Isaac's chief blessing which would go to the firstborn. The fact that he later complained (27:36) doesn't change this; and he did receive a blessing of his own (27:39).

3) Isaac had not been informed that Esau sold Jacob the birthright. When he was later told this, he understood why God had allowed Jacob to get the chief blessing, and he continued blessing Jacob on later occasions (ch.28). Moreover, God Himself gives Israel (Jacob) the title of firstborn (Exodus 4:22 with Rashi commentary).

Answer 2

AnswerAccording to The Bible, yes, Jacob did steal Esau's blessing.


However, the question eppears to ask whether the biblical account is true. There is biblical evidence that Jacob was the Israelite moon god before the story evolved to portray him as a human and patriarch of the Israelites. His twin brother's name is Esau, which is associated with the colour red and could suggest association with the sun god.

There was constant rivalry between the two twins throughout their lives, just as the ancients saw constant rivalry between the sun and the moon. The twins fought, even in the womb. Each wanted to be born first, and the baby Jacob exhibited dexterity and strength far beyond the capabilities of mortals. According to this analysis, that rivalry culminated with the moon god, Jacob, winning favour as the god of the Israelites - when he stole the blessing that rightfully belonged to Esau..

The Israelites who created these legends believed that they happened in the distant past, when gods roamed the earth. Evidence that the biblical story of the Jacob, as a mortal and Patriarch, was written centuries after the supposed events includes the gift from Jacob to his twin brother Esau of thirty milch camels with their colts. This is something that would not have happened until the first millennium BCE, when camels had been domesticated.

Answer 3

No. The birthright was sold to Jacob willingly, by Esau. Though Isaac wasn't told of this, God caused the right person to be blessed.
Jacob posed as Esau in Isaac's presence (Genesis ch.27) and received blessings that would have been given to Esau.Jacob is not to blame, for the following reasons:
1) The word of God had informed their mother Rebecca that Jacob the younger son would be the favored one; the one to prevail (Genesis 25:23).

2) When Esau willingly sold Jacob his birthright (25:31-34), he thereby relinquished any claim to Isaac's chief blessing.

3) Isaac had not been informed that Esau sold Jacob the birthright. When he was later told this, he understood why God had allowed Jacob to get the chief blessing.

See also the Related Link.

Link: More about the Israelite Forefathers

See also the Related Link.

Link: More about the Israelite Forefathers