Abarim Publications'
Biblical Name Vault





Hub
Name Vault
On Names in the Bible
Methods and Sources
Bible Commentary
The Hebrew Alphabet


Mardie MacDonald Fund



Cross On Me - a Novel
"Dazzling! Breathtaking!"
Hub Contact Book Reviews Copyright Author

Meaning, origin and etymology of the name Esau


A
B
C
D
E
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
Y
Z
 Eber
Eden
Edom
Egypt
Ekron
El
Elam
Eldaah
Eleasah
Eleazar
Eliab
Eliezer
Elijah
Elisha
Elishah
Elizabeth
Elkanah
Elohim
Elyon
En-gannim
Enoch
Enosh
Ephah
Epher
Ephraim
Erech
Esau
Esther
Euphrates
Eve
Ezekiel
Ezer
Ezra
Ezri

Esau Esau

Esae is a son of Isaac and Rebekah; older twin of Jacob.

The two nicknames of Esau, Edom and Seir, are both obvious in meaning and have to do with Esau's looks (red and hairy). His proper name however is not as easily derived. NOBSE and others insist on a facsimilative naming and go after the word sr (s'r 2274), hairy, where also the name Seir is derived from. But note that there is no rosh in the name Esau, and that the shin and ayin are reversed; it's a completely different word.

More likely the name Esau comes from asa (asa 1708), to do, fashion, accomplish (hence relating this name to Asahel). Since Esau is also called Edom (Dustling), perhaps these twins reminded Isaac and Rebecca of the basic workings of a human individual: the body does all the work but the mind takes all the credit.

The name Esau means Doer.





• • •
home