Paul quotes  Mal 1:2f . {But Esau I hated} (	on de Esau
emis(8873)a). This language sounds a bit harsh to us. It is possible
that the word mise(935c) did not always carry the full force of what
we mean by "hate." See  Mt 6:24  where these very verbs (mise(935c)
and agapa(935c)) are contrasted. So also in  Lu 14:26  about
"hating" (mise(935c)) one's father and mother if coming between one
and Christ. So in  Joh 12:25  about "hating" one's life. There is
no doubt about God's preference for Jacob and rejection of Esau,
but in spite of Sanday and Headlam one hesitates to read into
these words here the intense hatred that has always existed
between the descendants of Jacob and of Esau.