Genesis 25:23

25:23 and the Lord said to her,

“Two nations ¹  are in your womb,

and two peoples will be separated from within you.

One people will be stronger than the other,

and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis 30:2

30:2 Jacob became furious ²  with Rachel and exclaimed, “Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?” ³ 

¹ sn By metonymy the two children in her womb are described as two nations of which the two children, Jacob and Esau, would become the fathers. The language suggests there would be a struggle between these nations, with one being stronger than the other. The oracle reveals that all of Jacob’s scheming was unnecessary in the final analysis. He would have become the dominant nation without using deception to steal his brother’s blessing.

² tn Heb “and the anger of Jacob was hot.”

³ tn Heb “who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb.”