Jacob and Esau born
Genesis 25:19–26; Romans 9:10–13
After twenty years of waiting and prayer, Rebekah gave birth to twins; Jacob came out holding Esau's heel.
Yahweh 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.”
Genesis 25:23 (World English Bible)
The twins struggled in the womb, and God told Rebekah that two nations were inside her and that the older would serve the younger. Esau, red and hairy, became a hunter and father of the Edomites; Jacob, whose name suggests “heel-grabber,” became the father of Israel.
Paul points out that God announced his choice before the twins had done anything good or bad, showing that his purposes rest on his calling, not on human works (Romans 9:11).
Dating notes
Isaac was 60 (Genesis 25:26). Esau's age at death is not recorded, so only Jacob has a life bar.