Genesis 25:30 Meaning and Explanation
“And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Esau begs Jacob for the red stew, claiming he is faint; this incident connects him to the name Edom.
The Context of Genesis 25:30
Esau begs Jacob for the red stew, giving his name an additional meaning connected to this moment.
What Does Genesis 25:30 Mean?
Esau's plea is urgent and physical: 'Feed me...for I am faint.' His hunger overrides all other concerns. He makes no attempt to hunt further, gather other food, or wait for a meal. Instead, he addresses his brother directly, appealing for Jacob's prepared pottage. The pottage is notably 'red'—matching Esau's own red appearance from birth and reinforcing the thematic connection between Esau and the color red.
The verse's final phrase—'therefore was his name called Edom'—links this moment of hunger and desperation to Esau's alternative name. Just as his birth color was red, and his name Esau relates to red, so this incident with the red pottage becomes another defining marker. Edom, meaning 'red,' becomes the name of Esau's later descendants, and this moment of selling his birthright for red pottage will be remembered as the origin of that identity.
Genesis 25:30 in the Original Language
Edom (אֱדוֹם), 'red' — the name given to Esau and his descendants, linked to his red appearance and to this red pottage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 25:30
What does Genesis 25:30 mean?
Esau begs Jacob for the red stew, claiming he is faint; this incident connects him to the name Edom.
What is the context of Genesis 25:30?
Esau begs Jacob for the red stew, giving his name an additional meaning connected to this moment.