And he sent messengers before him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, to the country of Edom.
Source: tatoeba (7830583)
Esau
/ˈisɑ/
Synonyms for "esau" (6 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (2)
Noun(2 words)
biblical patriarchedom founder
Strong matches (1)
Noun(1 words)
elder son
Related words (3)
Noun(3 words)
given namepersonal nameproper name
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: biblical patriarch, edom founder, elder son, given name, personal name.
- Sentence evidence is available for esau, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "esau".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "esau"
Keep "esau" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "esau" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "esau", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "esau" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
Sample sentences
11 total sentences available.
And he commanded them, saying: Thus shall ye speak to my lord Esau: Thus saith thy brother Jacob: I have sojourned with Laban, and have been with him until this day. I have oxen, and asses, and sheep, and menservants, and womenservants: and now I send a message to my lord, that I may find favour in thy sight.
Source: tatoeba (7830854)
And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying: We came to Esau, thy brother, and behold he cometh with speed to meet thee with four hundred men.
Source: tatoeba (7830941)
Then Jacob was greatly afraid; and in his fear divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and the sheep, and the oxen, and the camels, into two companies, saying: If Esau come to one company, and destroy it, the other company that is left shall escape.
Source: tatoeba (7831737)
Showing 4 of 11 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "esau"?
Closest matches include biblical patriarch, edom founder, elder son, given name, personal name.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "esau"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.