O direito de primogenitura no Antigo Testamento, à luz das narrativas sobre Esaú e Jacó (Gn 25.19-34 e 27.1-45)

Abstract

This dissertation researches the birthright in the Old Testament in light of the narratives of Esau and Jacob, particularly, the texts of Genesis 25.19-26, 25.27-34 and 27.1-45. For this, a design of bibliography was chosen under an exegetical perspective. Thus, a dialogue with psychology and anthropology is performed, from where it is perceived that theme is as present nowadays as it was in ancient times. It was also noted that, despite the conventions almost settled on the hegemony of the birthright in the Old Testament, there is no way of knowing which cultures have influenced others. Similarly, there were no biblical laws that could justify such thinking. But we can not say that the firstborn would not have his importance, after all there are many texts demonstrating such relevance. Still, from the exegeses made in three major pericopes analyzed, along with an approach, en passant, of other passages, one can present an argument in favor of a real story, in spite of several literary aspects that could be used in contrast. Such narratives are full of intra-family conflicts, which served to demonstrate the common practice of birthright in the Hebrew culture. Moreover, regarding the definition of Birthright, an application that included five dimensions is defended: spiritual (blessings had an almost magical connotation, it was very strong); religious (besides the fact that the firstborn was consecrated to God, he had the responsibility to take care of and lead the worship of the Lord); patrimonial (assets transferred to the children consisted of land and or dominions, notwithstanding the period of semi-nomadism and the constant transhumance); social (the leadership of the clan and its representation before the council of elders were part of the responsibilities of the firstborn); and also an existential dimension (the eldest son was responsible for perpetuating the name of his father, living as the continuity of the life of his predecessors).