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Ἠσαῦ

Ēsaû

G2269 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Proper name: Esau — the personal name of the elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother of Jacob, ancestor of the Edomite people. In Greek texts, Ἠσαῦ is used exclusively as a transliterated proper name, not as a common noun. In some contexts, the name refers not only to the historical individual but, by extension, to the people descended from him (the Edomites).

Semantic Range

Esau (the person), ancestor of the Edomites, symbol of lost inheritance (in metaphorical or typological usage)

Root / Etymology

Borrowed directly from Hebrew עֵשָׂו (ʿēsāv), rendered into Greek as Ἠσαῦ. The original Hebrew name is often associated with meanings related to 'hairy' or 'rough,' though the etymology remains uncertain beyond its biblical usage as a proper name.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἠσαῦ appears only as a proper name in Greek Jewish and Christian literature, notably in the Septuagint and New Testament. In Second Temple literature, the figure of Esau is foundational for Israelite ancestral narratives and for the identity of the Edomite people. In the New Testament (cf. Romans 9:13; Hebrews 12:16), Esau serves as a paradigmatic figure, symbolizing loss of inheritance. English tradition uses 'Esau' directly, accurately reflecting the Greek and Hebrew forms. There is no evidence for Ἠσαῦ being used generically or symbolically in Greek beyond scriptural and derivative literary contexts. The term 'Edomite' derives from his putative descendants, not from the name Ἠσαῦ itself. Greek maintains distinct terms for Edom/Idumaea (Ἰδουμαία).

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

of Hebrew origin (עֵשָׂו); Esau, an Edomite:--Esau.

Root Family

Ἠσαῦ (Ēsaû) — proper name, Esau (individual)

Root Ἠσαῦ proper name, Esau (individual)

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2269-01 Ἠσαῦ esau N ACC M SG Esau Esau Esau 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2269-01 Romans 9:13 Ἠσαῦ esau N ACC M SG Esau Esau Esau
G2269-01 Hebrews 11:20 Ἠσαῦ esau N ACC M SG Esau Esau Esau
G2269-01 Hebrews 12:16 Ἠσαῦ esau N NOM M SG Esau Esau Esau
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