Lexical Summary laat: Greed, covetousness, gluttony Original Word: לָעַט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance feed A primitive root; to swallow greedily; causatively, to feed -- feed. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to swallow (greedily) NASB Translation have a swallow (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [לָעַט] verb swallow (greedily) (Late Hebrew id., Hiph`il stuff cattle with food; Syriac  jaw; compare Arabic  speak confusedly, utter indistinct sounds); — only Hiph`il Imperative masculine singular suffix causat, הַלְעִיטֵנִי Genesis 25:30 (J) let me swallow, followed by מִן of thing. Topical Lexicon Overview The verb לָעַט portrays an act of urgent, uncontrolled swallowing. In its single biblical appearance it captures more than a physical motion; it exposes a heart posture that prizes immediate gratification over covenant privilege. Biblical Occurrence Genesis 25:30: “He said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.’ (That is why he was also called Edom.)” Here Esau pleads to “swallow greedily” the lentil stew Jacob has prepared. The force of the verb underlines Esau’s raw, unfiltered appetite and sets the tone for the sale of his birthright in the verses that follow. Contextual Background Jacob and Esau had just emerged from divergent experiences—Jacob working patiently over a meal, Esau returning exhausted from the field. Esau’s physical hunger confronted the longstanding spiritual tension between the brothers. The birthright included priestly leadership in the family, a double inheritance, and ancestral participation in the covenant promises first given to Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3; Genesis 15:5–6). By demanding instant satisfaction, Esau discounted realities that extended far beyond his own generation. Nuance of Expression While common Hebrew verbs can simply mean “eat,” לָעַט suggests gulping, devouring, or cramming food into one’s mouth. It communicates both speed and greed, giving the verse an emotional punch: Esau’s body language matches the reckless decision he is about to make. Thematic Insights 1. Appetite versus inheritance. Esau’s hunger illustrates how unchecked desire can eclipse eternal blessing (compare Hebrews 12:16–17). Historical and Cultural Setting In patriarchal society, the birthright (bekorah) was more than property; it conferred spiritual leadership and judicial authority within the clan. Surrendering it for a single meal mocked both custom and divine order. The incident also contributes to the origins of the nation of Edom. Esau’s nickname—“Edom” (red)—echoes both the color of the stew and the impulsive act that shaped his descendants’ identity. Intertextual References • Hebrews 12:16–17 recalls Esau as a warning against godlessness and irretrievable loss. Together these passages weave Esau’s single moment into a broader biblical theology of self-control. Ministry Application – Personal discipleship: Esau shows how a legitimate bodily need can mutate into domination by the flesh. Fasting, prayer, and Scriptural meditation train believers to prefer lasting treasure over fleeting comfort. – Family teaching: Parents can model and instruct children in delayed gratification, linking practical habits (budgeting, Sabbath rest) to spiritual inheritance (Psalm 34:8–10). – Corporate worship: Communion offers a contrast—Christ invites His people to partake of bread and cup that signify an eternal covenant rather than trading it away for earthly stew. Christological Foreshadowing The contrast between Esau and the later “Firstborn” points to Jesus Christ. Where Esau despised his status, Jesus “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped” but voluntarily humbled Himself (Philippians 2:6–8) to secure an inheritance for many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29). Thus the very appetite that ruined Esau becomes a stage for God’s gracious reversal in Christ. Homiletical Suggestions Title: “The Bowl That Cost a Birthright” Text: Genesis 25:29–34 Outline: 1. The lure of appetite (verse 30) Application: Evaluate present cravings in light of eternal realities. Key Takeaways • לָעַט spotlights the danger of letting urgent physical desires eclipse unseen spiritual wealth. Forms and Transliterations הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי הלעיטני hal‘îṭênî hal·‘î·ṭê·nî haliTeniLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:30 HEB: אֶֽל־ יַעֲקֹ֗ב הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי נָא֙ מִן־ NAS: Please let me have a swallow of that red KJV: to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with INT: to Jacob have Please with 1 Occurrence |
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