Genesis 25

Abraham took another wife, and her name was Keturah.

She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.

Jokshan became the father of Sheba, and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.

The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac,

but Abraham gave gifts to the sons of Abraham’s concubines. While he still lived, he sent them away from Isaac his son, eastward, to the east country.

These are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred seventy-five years.

Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.

Isaac and Ishmael, his sons, buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron, the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is near Mamre,

the field which Abraham purchased from the children of Heth. Abraham was buried there with Sarah, his wife.

After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac, his son. Isaac lived by Beer Lahai Roi.

Now this is the history of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham.

These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,

Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages, and by their encampments: twelve princes, according to their nations.

These are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred thirty-seven years. He gave up his spirit and died, and was gathered to his people.

They lived from Havilah to Shur that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria. He lived opposite all his relatives.

This is the history of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham became the father of Isaac.

Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian, to be his wife.

Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. The LORD was entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

The children struggled together within her. She said, “If it is like this, why do I live?” She went to inquire of the LORD.

The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”

When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

The first came out red all over, like a hairy garment. They named him Esau.

After that, his brother came out, and his hand had hold on Esau’s heel. He was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

The boys grew. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.

Now Isaac loved Esau, because he ate his venison. Rebekah loved Jacob.

Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was famished.

Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with some of that red stew, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”

Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?”

Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” He swore to him. He sold his birthright to Jacob.

Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, rose up, and went his way. So Esau despised his birthright.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter marks a pivotal transition in the story of God’s promises, closing the life of Abraham and advancing the narrative through the line of Isaac, the child of promise. It recounts Abraham’s later descendants through Keturah, his death and burial, the brief history of Ishmael, and the beginning of the story of Isaac and Rebekah, culminating in the birth of Jacob and Esau and the transfer of the birthright from Esau to Jacob.

Flow.

Begins with Abraham’s marriage to Keturah and the offspring she bore, followed by his death and burial by Isaac and Ishmael.
Records God’s blessing of Isaac after Abraham’s death, then gives a genealogy of Ishmael and his twelve sons, noting his death.
Introduces the line of Isaac with the account of his marriage to Rebekah, her barrenness, and divine intervention enabling conception.
Narrates the struggle of the twins in Rebekah’s womb, the oracle from the Lord, the birth of Esau and Jacob, and Esau’s despising of his birthright in favor of immediate relief.

Connections.
Following chapter 24, which secured Rebekah as Isaac’s wife through faithful covenant stewardship, chapter 25 confirms God’s sovereign hand in continuing the promised lineage through Isaac and now his sons. The divine promise now advances not through Abraham directly, but through Isaac and Jacob, setting the stage for the calling to pass through the younger son—a theme which chapter 26 takes up in Isaac’s own story as the bearer of the promise, despite trials and conflicts similar to Abraham’s.

What it teaches.
God sovereignly preserves His covenant line, ensuring that the promise made to Abraham continues through Isaac (WCF 7.3) and not through Ishmael or the sons of Keturah, despite their blessed status. The birth of Jacob and Esau reveals divine election: the younger will serve the elder, not by human merit but by God’s purpose (HC LD 9). Esau’s despising of the birthright underscores the seriousness of covenant privilege (HC LD 8), while Isaac’s prayer for Rebekah and God’s answer confirm His faithfulness to the patriarchs in continuing the promised seed (Gen. 17:19; cf. WCF 7.4).

Apply.
The Lord upholds His promises through unlikely means, yet calls those who receive the covenant blessings to value them above temporary desires.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.