Esau

Esau is the elder twin son of Isaac and Rebekah, a red and hairy hunter, "a man of the field." In Genesis 25 he sells his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew, and in Genesis 27 Jacob, helped by Rebekah, takes the blessing Isaac meant for him. Esau vows revenge, but years later the brothers are reconciled. He is also called Edom and is presented as the ancestor of the Edomites, who lived around Mount Seir.

Jewish legend gave Esau a darker role. The Book of Jasher, a medieval Hebrew retelling of biblical history, says Nimrod wore garments God had made for Adam, which made animals kneel before him. Esau, out hunting, kills Nimrod and takes these garments. Rabbinic midrash has a similar story, and links it to the day Esau sold his birthright.

Esau is known from Genesis and the traditions that retell it.