The story of Ya'qub's origins as the twin son of Ishaq, the difference in his attitude compared to Esau, and how he obtained the right of primogeniture after Esau sold it for a bowl of food.
The Story of Prophet Ya'qub: Son of Ishaq son of Ibrahim
The Story of Prophet Ya'qub: Son of Ishaq son of Ibrahim
Ya'qub (in Hebrew: יַעֲקֹב Yaʿaqob, in Arabic: يعقوب Yaʿqūb) was a prophet who was the son of Ishaq son of Ibrahim. Ya'qub had a twin brother named Esau. Ya'qub, who was later named Prophet Ya'qub (in Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל Yiśrāʾēl, in Arabic: اسرائيل Isrāʾīl), was a figure known as the ancestor of "the twelve tribes."
Ya'qub and Esau were born to Ishaq's wife named Rebekah, when Ishaq was 60 years old. These twin brothers were born with Esau's body coming out first, followed by Ya'qub's body with his hand grasping his brother's heel.
Ishaq greatly loved Esau because Ishaq considered Esau to be his firstborn son who would later receive the inheritance of blessing from his father. Meanwhile, Ya'qub was the beloved grandson of Ibrahim because Ya'qub enjoyed staying at home to be near him and learn from him. Ya'qub was also the beloved son of his mother Rebekah because the younger son liked to help and was diligent in caring for the house to lighten his parents' work.
Most of the story of Prophet Ya'qub was derived from the Torah because the story of Prophet Ya'qub in the Qur'an is very limited.
At first, these two grandsons of Ibrahim had similarities with each other; both learned knowledge from their grandfather in his old age. Esau admired his grandfather because of his abundant wealth and respected worldly position that was revered by many people; meanwhile, Ya'qub praised Allah who granted many blessings to his grandfather, so he prayed that Allah would do the same for him.
As time passed, Ya'qub became increasingly devoted to worshipping Allah, as taught by Ibrahim. On the other hand, Esau believed that to follow his grandfather's success, he should leave his ancestral home and wander alone, but still be dutiful to his parents, just as Ibrahim's journey when he left the land of Haran.
However, Esau had a different purpose. Ibrahim left his ancestral land to carry out Allah's command, while Esau intended to gain much wealth and worldly luxuries. As evidence of his devotion to his parents, especially his father, Esau hunted many animals to give to Ishaq, who loved eating meat. Esau's devotion strengthened Ishaq's conviction that he would hand over the inheritance of blessing to his eldest son.
When he learned that his grandfather was destined to meet death, Esau was amazed and could not believe that someone as great as Ibrahim had to face death and leave all his achievements in the world. Esau decided to leave to forget this sorrow. Esau, who prided himself on being a descendant of Ibrahim, resolved to avenge himself against Nimrod, who had once tried to kill his grandfather.
The Story of Prophet Ya'qub: Son of Ishaq son of Ibrahim - Ya'qub and Esau
Esau went armed with a sword while searching for where Nimrod was. When he found Nimrod hunting on the meadow, Esau immediately stabbed Nimrod's body from behind, and Nimrod struck a hard blow to Esau's body. Nimrod was shocked to see Esau, which reminded him of Ibrahim. Then Esau cursed Nimrod and stated that he was avenging what had been done to his grandfather. Although he received a hard attack on his body, Esau succeeded in killing Nimrod, then Esau fled from Nimrod's troops that came and pursued him.
While Esau decided to leave, Ya'qub remained at home and was asked by Ibrahim about the reason for his presence. Ya'qub answered that he believed that Allah always accompanied his grandfather, so Ya'qub wanted to be close to him. Hearing this statement, Ibrahim blessed Ya'qub, stating that he would inherit a portion of the inheritance of blessing; that is, a rare blessing from Allah for Ibrahim, which had been passed down to Ishaq. Ya'qub was astonished hearing this, because he was not the eldest son who had advantages in Ishaq's eyes, but Ibrahim reassured his grandson by saying that this blessing came from Allah's side, and moreover there was a covenant that Ya'qub had long been appointed as the heir of Ibrahim's family, so Ya'qub was destined to inherit a special blessing in this world and in the Hereafter. Ya'qub also testified together with Ibrahim's sons about the religion that Allah had passed down for them.
When Esau returned from his struggle against Nimrod, he felt near death and exhausted. He then found Ya'qub cooking red lentil soup for the guests who were mourning Ibrahim who had died. Esau, who was hungry, pressed and shouted asking Ya'qub for food. Because Esau did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, he feared he would die soon, so he stated he was willing to give anything for his life.
The Story of Prophet Ya'qub: Son of Ishaq son of Ibrahim - Ya'qub and Esau
When Ya'qub warned Esau about the existence of the Hereafter after death, Esau unjustly denied that Allah would resurrect the dead, because Esau had rejected Ibrahim's teaching that the blessing of wealth comes from Allah's side. As punishment for Esau's unjust attitude, Allah transferred the inheritance right of Ibrahim to one whom Allah approved, namely Ya'qub, the descendant of Ibrahim who followed and inherited from Ibrahim. Because he had received much knowledge from Ibrahim, Ya'qub had become convinced that the blessing of this world and the Hereafter comes from Allah's side. Ya'qub also understood that the owner of the right of primogeniture would later have the right to receive the inheritance of blessing.
Ya'qub agreed to give him food after Esau swore to sell his birthright as payment for the food, so that this oath would be evidence of a guarantee to him; then Esau immediately agreed to this condition because he did not understand the special privilege of the birthright. After finishing this food, Esau felt reborn and rejoiced. From this point on, Esau called himself Edom, a term meaning 'the red one,' according to the color of the food he had eaten.
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