John Gill Commentary Genesis 25:27

"And the boys grew. And Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field. And Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents." — Genesis 25:27 (ASV)

And the boys grew In stature, became strong and fit for business, and betook themselves to different employments: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field: whose business lay in tilling and sowing it, which his father Isaac followed sometimes; or rather he chose to range about the field and hunt after beasts and birds, in which he was very expert, and contrived traps and snares to catch them in; and this course of life was most agreeable to his temper and disposition, being active, fierce, and cruel; according to the Targum of Jonathan, he was also a hunter and slayer of men, Nimrod and Henoch his son:

and Jacob was a plain man; an honest plain hearted man, whose heart and tongue went together; a quiet man, that gave no disturbance to others; a godly man, sincere, upright, and perfect, that had the truth of grace and holiness in him, as well as the perfect righteousness of his Redeemer on him:

dwelling in tents; keeping at home and attending the business of the family, as we afterwards find him boiling pottage, (Genesis 25:29); or rather this denotes his pastoral life, being a shepherd, he dwelt in tents, which could be removed from place to place for the convenience of pasturage:

Jarchi's note is, ``in the tent of Shem and in the tent of Eber;'' agreeably to the Targum of Jonathan, ``a minister in the school of Shem, seeking doctrine from the Lord;'' a student there, where he resided awhile, in order to be instructed in the doctrines of truth and righteousness.