Genesis

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NASB	Genesis 25:31 But Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright."
AMPLIFIED 2015	Genesis 25:31 Jacob answered, "First sell me your birthright (the rights of a firstborn)."

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Bible Question: What does 'reticence' mean with regard to Bible study? For example, I've been told that the Jacob/Esau story in Genesis contains notable examples of reticence.

Is this where the author holds back information, thus emphasising the importance of what he does give us? Eg. He doesn't provide us with detailed physical descriptions for the two brothers, except when it plays an important part in the story (ie. Esau's hairiness).

Thanks.

Bible Answer: "And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright be to me?" (Gen. 25:31-32) Thus did Jacob take advantage of his brother when he returned famished from the hunt. As the firstborn of Isaac, Esau was entitled to the birthright, but Jacob induced him to sell it. Later, under the influence of his mother, Jacob tricked his blind father Isaac into giving him the firstborn's blessing. (Gen. 27:1-46) There is nothing in the account to vindicate Jacob's character as a righteous person. True, God's initial prophecy that "the older shall serve the younger" indicates it was God's sovereign will that Jacob receive the birthright, but that is all. (Gen. 25:23) Commentators have speculated that Jacob took the actions he did because he realized that his brother was irresponsible and to seize the birthright from him was an act of faith, but this is really a speculation that the inspired writer does not supply. Others have noted that Jacob's character seems to have improved later with age. But you see, the reticence involves the writer not telling us either that Jacob was undeserving or that there were extenuating circumstances. And we need to consider how reticent we will be in relating this account - whether we must try to "fill in the gaps" or leave the story as is.