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Jacob and Esau

jacob

Rebekah, the wife of Isaac, devised a plan so that her favored son, Jacob, would receive Isaac's blessing instead of the elder twin Esau. At Rebekah's instruction, Jacob prepared Isaac's favorite meal and brought it to him when he called for Esau. Blind in his old age, Isaac was fooled by the furs that Jacob placed on his arms to mimic the hairier twin. Isaac blessed Jacob and passed the birthright of Abraham to him. Esau was enfuriated when he discovered what happened, and threatened his brother's life, causing Jacob to flee to his mother's brother's house, where he labored for the hand of Rachel.

jacob and esau panel from the side
header image: 'Jacob panel' detail,
Gates of Paradise, Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1425
 Becky DiMattia • © 2007-2024
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