Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/249

Rh The

231

Birthrujlit

related to the stem adaiii, "to be red".

V. 30 records a parallel tradi-

Esau was given the by-name, Edoni, because he said to Jacob, "Let me swallow some of this red, red pottage" (adorn). The tradition that Jacob was born holding fast to his V. 26. The Hebrother's heel offers one explanation of the name Jacob. brew word for heel is akcb. The verb akab therefore means (a) "to follow on the heel" hence Ya'akob, "he who follows on the (his that

tion,

(

brother's)

heel"),

(b)

"to

supplant"

(hence Jacob as the suppl^nter

XXVIII, 36), and (c) "to deceive" (hence Ya'akoh, "the Deceiver"). Thus the Bible itself accounts for the origin of the name Jacob by these three different and mutually contradictory

of

Esau;

cf.

traditions.

V.

27.

"Dwelling

a shepherd, just as

V.

31.

In

in tents",

Abraham

ancient

Israel

is

i.

e.

a semi-nomad, and consequently

also pictured

the

firstborn

(XII, 8; XVIII, 1). was thought to possess

an undue portion of his father's nature (cf. XLIX, 3). Therefore he received a double portion of his father's estate (Deuteronomy XXI, 17). Above all he enjoyed the privileges of succeeding his father as the head of the family or clan, and of functioning as its priest

V.

and the arbiter of its life and policies. A bargain was usually confirmed and made binding by

2)2.

an oath. V. 34. The rabbis told that this transaction between Jacob and Esau took place on the day of the death of Abraham. Jacob had been as a boy the favorite companion of his grandfather during the latter's last years, and was with him at the very moment of his death. And understanding the true nature of the "boy and his latent possibiHties. Abraham had charged Isaac that the birthright descend to him rather than to Esau. They told further that Jacob was preparing this dish of lentils for Isaac as a pious duty, because smce

were thought to symbolize immortality, them to mourners to eat.

lentils

give

it

was customary

to \n