Rebecca receives the prophecy
The story begins on a rooftop, where Rebecca is seen receiving the prophecy of her twin sons’ future conflict.
Rebecca gives birth
Here Rebecca is seen in a very low relief giving birth to the twins beneath the arcade on the far left.
Esau sells his birthright
Inside the central arch, Esau sells his rights as oldest son to his younger sibling Jacob, who offers the hungry hunter a bowl of food.
Isaac sends Esau hunting
Isaac asked Esau to prepare him a final meal. Jacob sets out into the hills at the far right of the relief to hunt for game.
Rebecca hatches a plan
Under the right arch Rebecca and Jacob are conspiring while Esau is away. They will take a slaughtered lamb which Jacob holds, and place its skin on his back so that he will appear hairy like his brother Esau.
Isaac blesses Jacob
In the right foreground Jacob kneels before the blind Isaac who, feeling a hairy skin on Jacob’s back, believes him to be Esau and mistakenly gives him the blessing of the first born.
Esau learns that he will be subject to his brother Jacob
At the center of the relief Esau returns to hi father with two hunting dogs at his side. He learns that Jacob has fooled their father and Esau must now serve Jacob. Esau laments having given away his birthright, which Ghiberti depicts directly behind the scene. The shaggy dog, who because of his hairiness can be identified with Esau, hangs his head low; the smooth skinned one, recalling Jacob, raises his head.
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