Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Genesis, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God, Humanity, and Creation
Mistrust, Disobedience, and Death
Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
Abraham takes another wife named Keturah, and she bears him many more children. After giving his possessions to Isaac, Abraham dies at age 175. Isaac and Ishmael bury Abraham with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah. Afterward, Isaac settles at Beer-lahai-roi. Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar, has 12 sons, all of them princes and leaders of tribes, and dies at age 137. His sons settle on either side of the Red Sea.
Not much information is given about Keturah, or the timing of Abraham’s second marriage, since his posterity through Isaac is already established. The burial and the details of Ishmael’s family (also an indirect offshoot from the covenant line) bring Abraham’s story to a close.
Themes
The narrative turns to Isaac’s descendants. At first, Isaac’s wife Rebekah is barren, but after Isaac prays for her, she conceives twins. The twins wrestle in Rebekah’s womb until she prays to the LORD in distress. God tells her that “two nations,” a stronger and a weaker, are in her womb.
The story turns to the next generation of Abraham’s family. Like Sarah, Rebekah is barren and must rely on God to help her conceive. The conflict in Rebekah’s womb sets the tone for her sons’ ongoing relationship.
Themes
When Rebekah gives birth, the first twin comes out looking red and hairy, so they name him Esau. The second twin emerges clutching Esau’s heel, so he is named Jacob. As the boys grow up, Esau becomes a hunter, while Jacob prefers a quiet life. Isaac shares Esau’s love of wild game and is partial to him, but Rebekah favors Jacob.
The names of both sons reflect their distinguishing characteristics. Esau’s name is related to a word for “red;” the name Jacob means “he takes by the heel” or “he supplants.” This name hints that even though Jacob is the younger twin, he will challenge Esau for preeminence.
Themes
One day, while Jacob is cooking a stew, Esau comes in from the field and hungrily demands some of the food. Jacob tells Esau he must first sell his birthright. Esau swears accordingly, so Jacob gives him some bread and lentil stew.
A birthright included special rights granted to an elder son, including a greater share of the inheritance. Esau is meant to look foolish for giving up his birthright for food, while Jacob is more clever.
Themes
Get the entire Genesis LitChart as a printable PDF.
