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).
