Augustine of Hippo : Two twins were born at so short an interval of time that the second had a hold on the foot of the first. Yet they were so unlike in their lives, character, conduct and the love their parents bore them that this unlikeness made them enemies one of the other. When I say unlike, I do not mean that one would sit while the other walked, or that one slept while the other was awake or that one talked while the other kept quiet.One of our twins led a life of servile toil, while the other served no one. One was loved by his mother; the other was not. One lost the title to primogeniture, which was then so highly esteemed, and the other obtained it. Further, there were immense differences between them in regard to their wives, children and possessions. If such differences are to be explained by those split seconds between the births of twins which are considered negligible in their horoscopes, why are such matters mentioned when other people's horoscopes are in question? — City of God 5.4 Jerome : (Verse 25) And the first came out red, all over like a hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob. And Isaac was threescore years old when Rebekah bare them. — Hebrew Questions on Genesis Origen of Alexandria : "And the firstborn son came forth," it says, "ruddy, and all hairy like a hide. And she called his name Esau. And afterward his brother came forth, and his hand was entwined about the heel of Esau; and he called his name Jacob." Another Scripture recounts of these that "Jacob supplanted his brother in the womb," and the indication of this thing is that his hand was entwined about the heel of his brother Esau. This Esau came forth from his mother's womb "all hairy like a hide," but Jacob smooth and simple. Whence Jacob received his name from wrestling or supplanting; but Esau—as those say who interpret the Hebrew names—seems to be called either from redness or from earth, that is, ruddy or earthy, or, as it has seemed to others, "a making." But what these privileges of birth may be, why the one "supplanted his brother" and was born smooth and simple, when assuredly, as the Apostle says, the conception of both sons was "from our one father Isaac," or why the one was born "all hairy" and rough and, so to speak, surrounded with the squalor of sin and wickedness—this is not mine to discuss. For if I should wish to dig into the deep and to open the hidden veins of "living water," immediately the Philistines will be present and will contend with me, will stir up quarrels and slanders against me, and will begin to fill my wells with their earth and mud. For assuredly, if these Philistines would permit it, I too was wishing to approach my Lord—the most patient Lord, who says that "I do not cast out the one who comes to me"—I was wishing to approach, and just as the disciples said to Him: "Lord, who sinned? this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?", I too was wishing to inquire of Him and to say: "Lord, who sinned"—this Esau or his parents, that he should thus be born "all hairy" and rough, that he should be supplanted by his brother in the womb? But if I should wish to inquire and search out concerning these things from the Word of God, at once the Philistines stir up lawsuits and slanders against me. And therefore, leaving this well and calling it 'enmity,' let us dig another. — HOMILIES ON Genesis 12.4