Esau hated Jacob because Jacob received the blessing that their father Isaac gave him.
Esau cared primarily about the material blessing—the double portion of Isaac's wealth—and when Jacob received it, Esau was enraged. Les Feldick teaches that Esau was destitute of faith and immoral, and he expressed real, ongoing hostility toward Jacob.
Genesis 27:41 — This verse directly states that Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing Isaac gave to Jacob.
Malachi 1:2-3 — This verse shows the Lord's distinction between Jacob and Esau, reflecting the hostility that began with Esau's hatred.
The Bible directly answers this question in Genesis 27:41: "And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob." Esau's hatred was not a mild dislike; he planned to kill Jacob after their father's death. In Malachi 1:2-3, the Lord also says, "Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness." This shows that Esau's personal anger was part of a larger divine distinction between Jacob and Esau.
Les Feldick teaches that Esau was not cheated or robbed in an unjust way. Esau was a man destitute of faith and immoral, so he deserved neither the birthright nor the blessing. When Jacob received the blessing, Esau became upset because the blessing meant the double portion of Isaac's wealth—his flocks, herds, and material goods. Esau did not care about the spiritual birthright or the line of the Messiah. Les also notes that the earlier birthright transaction over the bowl of red bean soup did not immediately create enmity between Jacob and Esau. The real anger came later when Jacob received the blessing by trickery. Since Isaac's spoken blessing was an unchangeable decree in the ancient world, Jacob legally possessed the blessing and the birthright. On the word 'hate,' Les discusses Malachi 1:2-3, where God says, 'I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau.' He emphasizes that the biblical use of the word must be understood in its context, rather than according to common assumptions.
Les Feldick observes that when Jacob got the birthright at age 24 through the red bean soup, there was no enmity created from that event. Scripture gives no indication that they became enemies because of the birthright deal. The hatred came later, when Jacob received the blessing from Isaac. That is when Esau got shook up, because he was robbed of the blessing—the double portion of the herds and flocks.
Les Feldick explains that Esau was interested in the double portion that the eldest son would receive. When Isaac blessed Jacob, Esau lost that double portion of his father's wealth. Les emphasizes that Esau didn't care about the spiritual birthright or the Messiah's line; he cared about the material inheritance—the flocks, herds, and servants. These people were wealthy for their time, so the loss was significant to him.
In Malachi 1:2-3, the Lord says, 'Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau.' Les Feldick discusses this verse in the context of how the Bible uses the word 'hate.' The Genesis narrative also records Esau's hatred toward Jacob because of the blessing (Genesis 27:41), showing that this was genuine hostility, not merely a comparative expression of love.
The Biblical Use of 'Hate'
Les references Malachi 1:2-3 where God says He loved Jacob and hated Esau, and he discusses how the Bible's use of the word 'hate' must be understood in context.
The Double Portion and Esau's Anger
Les explains that Esau was interested in the double portion of Isaac's wealth, not the spiritual birthright. This is why he became so upset when Jacob received the blessing.
Esau Deserved Nothing
Les teaches that Esau deserved neither the birthright nor the blessing because he had no faith and was an immoral man, as shown by his marriages to Hittite and Canaanite women.
No Enmity from the Birthright Deal
Les notes that the birthright deal at age 24 did not immediately create enmity between Jacob and Esau. The real anger came later over the blessing.
The Blessing Esau Cared About
Les explains that Esau got shaken up when he was robbed of the blessing because it meant the double portion of the herds and flocks. He didn't care about the spiritual birthright.
Isaac's Unchangeable Decree
Les teaches that in the ancient Middle Eastern world, a spoken decree was final. Isaac's blessing of Jacob could not be changed, confirming Jacob's possession of the blessing.
The Birthright Explained: Why God Chose Jacob Over Esau
One was more or less a mother's favorite, and Esau was the father's favorite. If ever there is a potential for family problem, there it is. We cannot show favorites, but they did. Verse 29 "...and Esau came from the field, and he was faint, and Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I am faint, and therefore was his name called Edom." Which again goes back to his name Esau, which meant red.
Esau's Character and Jacob's Trickery
Les recounts that Esau was a hunter and loved by his father, but Jacob beat him to the blessing by trickery. This helps explain the context of Esau's resentment.
Genesis 27:41: And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
This verse directly states the cause of Esau's hatred and his murderous plan.
Malachi 1:2-3: I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
This verse shows God's own statement about loving Jacob and hating Esau.
Genesis 25:29-30: And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 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.
This is the birthright transaction where Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for red bean soup.
No. Genesis 27:41 says Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing his father gave him, and Esau planned to kill Jacob after their father's death. This was genuine hostility, not merely a comparative way of saying he loved Jacob less.
Esau cared mainly about the material blessing—the double portion of Isaac's wealth. When Jacob received that blessing, Esau felt robbed and became enraged. Les Feldick teaches that Esau did not value the spiritual birthright or the Messiah's line.
According to Les Feldick, Esau deserved nothing because he had no faith and was an immoral man. He married among the Hittites and Canaanites, which showed his disregard for the covenant promises.
Les Feldick observes that there is no indication in Scripture that the birthright deal at age 24 created enmity. The real anger came later when Jacob received the blessing by trickery.
Watch the Teaching: What Does the Bible Say About Deception? Jacob, Esau, and the Stolen Blessing.