Answer ยท confidence: partial
Why did some Jewish teachers think Esau's red color revealed his character?
Research question: Why did some Jewish commentators read Esau's red colouring and the name Edom as signs of his character, and how did that shape their view of his people?
The commentary Tze'enah Ure'enah links Esau's red-linked name to violence, saying he had committed many murders on the day he asked Jacob for the red lentils 2. It ties the name Edom to that same lentil request 5 and holds that Abraham died early so he would not see Esau's sins and idolatry 79. The Genesis text gives the name Edom only as a result of the pottage request 4, and the facts do not show how commentators extended these readings to Esau's descendants or the people of Edom 4. The newest fact is from 2017, about nine years old as of October 2026 2579.
Checked 2026-10-18. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] documented
The text says the firstborn twin came out ruddy and hairy, and he was named Esau.
"And the first came forth ruddy, all over like a hairy mantle; and they called his name Esau."Genesis 25:25-30 [Hebrew Bible (JPS 1917 English, Sefaria)]
[2] supported
The commentary says Esau had committed many murders on the day he asked Jacob for the red lentils, which presents his red-linked name as tied to violent character.
"He had committed many murders that day."Tze'enah Ure'enah, Toldot 23 [A Critical Translation into English; Edited and translated by Morris M. Faierstein. De Gruyter, 2017]
[3] documented
The text says Esau was born red and hairy, and his mother named him Esau.
"And the first came out red, hairy all over like a skin; and she called his name Esau."Genesis 25:25-30 [Septuagint (Brenton English, 1844)]
[4] documented
The text links the name Edom to Esau's request for red pottage, stating that this is why he was called Edom.
"Therefore was his name called Edom."Genesis 25:25-30 [Hebrew Bible (JPS 1917 English, Sefaria)]
[5] supported
The commentary explicitly ties the name Edom to Esau's request for the red lentils.
"That is why he was called Edom."Tze'enah Ure'enah, Toldot 23 [A Critical Translation into English; Edited and translated by Morris M. Faierstein. De Gruyter, 2017]
[6] documented
The text ties the name Edom directly to Esau's request for the red pottage, saying the name was given because of that moment.
"Let me taste of that red pottage, because I am fainting; therefore his name was called Edom."Genesis 25:25-30 [Septuagint (Brenton English, 1844)]
[7] documented
The commentary holds that Abraham died that day so he would not see his grandson Esau's sins and idolatry.
"Abraham had died on that day, in the hope that Abraham should not see that his grandson Esau had committed many sins and worshipped idols."Tze'enah Ure'enah, Toldot 23 [A Critical Translation into English; Edited and translated by Morris M. Faierstein. De Gruyter, 2017]
[8] documented
The text contrasts Esau, a skilled hunter who lived in the country, with Jacob, a simple man who lived in a house.
"Esau was a man skilled in hunting, dwelling in the country, and Jacob a simple man, dwelling in a house."Genesis 25:25-30 [Septuagint (Brenton English, 1844)]
[9] documented
According to the commentary, God caused Abraham to die five years before his time because of Esau's sinfulness.
"Therefore, the Holy One let him die five years before his time."Tze'enah Ure'enah, Toldot 23 [A Critical Translation into English; Edited and translated by Morris M. Faierstein. De Gruyter, 2017]