3363 x 5025 px | 28,5 x 42,5 cm | 11,2 x 16,8 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
31 gennaio 2008
Altre informazioni:
Esau is the brother of Jacob (whom God renamed Israel) -- the patriarch and founder of the Israelites -- in the biblical Book of Genesis. Esau was the oldest son of Isaac and Rebekah and the grandson of Abraham. Jacob and Esau were fraternal twins; Rebekah bore Esau first and Jacob was birthed second, holding onto Esau's heel. Thus, this subsequent occurrence traditionally entitled Esau to inherit the wealth of his father after his death. The Bible depicts Esau as a hunter who prefers the outdoor life, qualities that distinguished him from his brother, who was a shy or simple man, depending on the translation of the Hebrew word "Tam" (which also means "relatively perfect man"). According to the Bible, Esau is the ancestor of the Edomites. In the Book of Genesis, Esau is frequently shown being supplanted by his younger twin Jacob (Israel). Genesis 25:19-25 narrates Esau's birth. He emerges from the womb with Jacob grasping his heel. He is described as follows: "Now the first came forth, red all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau." Genesis 25:29-34 shows him willingly selling his birthright to Jacob in exchange for a "mess of pottage" (meal of lentils). Controversy has surrounded this scripture, in that some have noted that Esau may have been in danger of starving to death and was taken advantage of by Jacob in a vulnerable moment. Certainly, Jacob's refusal to share his food without exacting a high price from Esau is in conflict with Biblical principles for moral living such as charity and goodwill. However, others suggest that among the large entourage of Isaac's wealthy household, death from starvation would not likely have been a genuine danger simply on account of Esau not having caught anything while hunting that day. Owing to the strict law concerning draining the blood from an animal before eating it, Esau would not have expected to immediately eat what he killed and would probably have carried food while hunting.
