Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Abraham took another wife, named Keturah, who bore him six sons: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Among these sons, Jokshan had two children, Sheba and Dedan, whose descendants were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah.

Abraham gave everything he owned to his son Isaac. To the sons born to Abraham's concubines, however, Abraham gave gifts and sent them away from Isaac while he was still alive, sending them eastward into the land of the East.

Abraham lived for 135 years, and when his life came to an end, he died in old age, full of years. His two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is located in the field of Ephron, son of Zohar the Hittite, near Mamre.

The field that Abraham had purchased from the children of Heth was where he was laid to rest alongside his wife Sarah. After Abraham's death, God blessed Isaac, and he settled down by the well of Lahairoi.

The descendants of Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bore to Abraham, are listed as follows: Nebajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael, each with their own territory and kingdom.

Ishmael lived for 137 years before passing away and joining his people. During his lifetime, he lived in the land between Havilah and Shur, which is near Egypt, as you travel towards Assyria. His death occurred while all his brothers were still alive.

Isaac was the son born to Abraham after many years of marriage to Rebekah, who was the daughter of Bethuel from Padanaram and a sister of Laban. Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, who had been barren for a long time, and God answered by allowing her to become pregnant.

However, when Rebekah was carrying twins, she began to feel them struggling within her womb. She wondered aloud why this was happening and decided to seek guidance from the Lord.

The Lord revealed to her that two distinct nations would emerge from her womb – one strong and powerful, while the other weaker but eventually dominant. The elder twin, Esau, would serve the younger twin, Jacob.

Rebekah gave birth to twins when she was sixty years old. The firstborn, Esau, emerged red and hairy like a garment. The second son, Jacob, grasped Esau's heel as he came out.

As they grew up, Esau developed into an expert hunter who spent most of his time in the wilderness, while Jacob became a gentle man who stayed at home. Isaac loved Esau because he hunted game for him to eat, but Rebekah preferred Jacob.

One day, Esau returned from hunting, exhausted and famished. He begged Jacob for some of the red stew he had prepared, which was his favorite dish. In exchange, Esau offered to sell Jacob his birthright as the eldest son. Feeling weak and desperate, Esau agreed to this deal without hesitation.

However, Rebekah overheard their conversation and devised a plan to ensure Jacob's future. She encouraged him to trick Esau into making a solemn promise that he would give up his birthright. Jacob was clever enough to get Esau to swear an oath, after which they finalized the transaction.

Jacob gave Esau food and drink, but Esau ended up despising his birthright because he had given it away so lightly.