Esau’s plans of deadly vengeance: Rebekah devises a plan to save Jacob from Esau’s wrath (27:41–28:5); and Esau marries an Ishmaelite woman (28:6–9). There are only two actors in each scene. In the first four scenes the actors rotate in this pattern: Isaac-Esau, Rebekah-Jacob, Isaac-Jacob, and Isaac-Esau. The fifth act, in which the conflict is resolved, has three scenes and the actors are Rebekah-Jacob, Rebekah-Isaac, and Isaac-Jacob. Because of the deep rift in the family Esau never meets with Jacob or Rebekah.

The narrative is full of pathos as each parent seeks to fulfill deep longings in regard to the favorite son. Isaac wants nothing more than to empower Esau with his blessing, while Rebekah is determined to have Jacob blessed by Isaac, thus fulfilling the divine words of promise give…