Abraham’s Later Years and Death
1Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah — all these were descendants of Keturah. 5Abraham gave everything he owned to Isaac. 6But to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still alive he sent them away eastward, away from his son Isaac, to the land of the east. 7This was the length of Abraham’s life: one hundred seventy-five years. 8Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, old and satisfied with life, and he was gathered to his people. 9His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre — 10the field Abraham had bought from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. 11After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, and Isaac settled near Beer-lahai-roi.
The Sons of Ishmael
12This is the account of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s servant, bore to Abraham. 13These are the names of Ishmael’s sons, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, Ishmael’s firstborn, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16These were the sons of Ishmael, and these their names, by their settlements and encampments — twelve chiefs, one for each of their tribes. 17Ishmael lived one hundred thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. 18His descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, on the way to Asshur. He settled facing all his brothers.
The Birth of Esau and Jacob
19This is the account of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham fathered Isaac. 20Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. 21Isaac pleaded with Yahweh on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. Yahweh heard his plea, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22The children struggled with each other inside her, and she said, “If this is how it is, why do I even exist?” So she went to inquire of Yahweh. 23Yahweh said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples will divide as they leave your body. One will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” 24When the time came for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 25The first came out red, covered all over like a hairy cloak, and they named him Esau. 26After him his brother came out, gripping Esau’s heel with his hand, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
Esau Sells His Birthright
27The boys grew up. Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the open country; Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. 28Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, exhausted. 30Esau said to Jacob, “Let me gulp down some of that red stuff — I am exhausted.” That is why he was named Edom. 31Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” 32Esau said, “Look, I am about to die — what good is a birthright to me?” 33Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So Esau swore an oath to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew. He ate, drank, got up, and went on his way. So Esau despised his birthright.
