The first came forth red: many languages have words to designate the first and second of a pair of twins. Came forth refers to the baby coming out of the mother’s birth canal. Some languages use the expression “the first to see light,” “the first to cry out.” Red (Hebrew ʾadmoni) is the first of two characteristics of the firstborn twin. The word describes the color of the child’s skin. It is a reddish color, but not red like the color of blood. Because color terms are difficult to translate, it is often useful to use a comparison “red like….” The color term or the comparison must be one that can be applied to a newborn infant, even though in experience it may be rare. This characteristic is linked by the sound of the Hebrew words to the name Edom, which is the tribal name of Esau’s descendants. See also comments on verse 30.

All his body like a hairy mantle: the second description compares the child’s skin to a coat or robe that is hairy (Hebrew seʿar). In other words he was covered with hair like a coat.

So they called his name Esau: Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation so gives the impression that the name Esau results from the child’s hairy appearance. However, Esau (Hebrew ʿEsaw) only faintly resembles seʿar, the Hebrew word for “hairy.” For a statement that explains the name Esau as a wordplay, see Good News Translation footnote. The Hebrew connective may also be rendered “and,” which results in a simple statement about the name, “and they named him Esau” (Revised English Bible). Some translators may find this is a suitable model to follow.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .