Esau's marriage 26:34-35

We can identify three purposes for this brief section.

1. Moses explained and justified the reason for Jacob's later departure for Paddan-aram (27:46-28:2).

2. Moses identified the ancestors of the Edomites who later played a major role in Israel's history.

3. Moses revealed Esau's carnal character again. Esau showed no interest in the special calling of his family but sought to establish himself as a great man in the world by marrying Canaanite women. These were evidently the daughters of Canaanite lords.⁶⁵⁵The Canaanites were, of course, cursed by God (9:25-27).

"These preliminary notices [in verses 34 and 35] put into perspective the cunning deed of Jacob and Rebekah. They demonstrate that Esau was not fit to inherit the blessing."⁶⁵⁶