And they both offended the mind of Isaac and Rebecca.
וַתִּהְיֶ֖יןָ מֹ֣רַת ר֑וּחַ לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּלְרִבְקָֽה׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
To illustrate the negative demeanor of his wives, Scripture notes, "They were a burden to Isaac and Rebekah." What could be more troubling than this moral decay, where those expected to show utmost respect to the family leaders not only fail to do so but also incite conflict? This account serves a greater purpose; it prepares you to comprehend why Rebekah showed particular preference for Jacob, indicating that her actions were not unwarranted.
Esau was fourteen years old (Gen. 26:34). This indicates that Isaac was one hundred years old when Esau, aged forty, took his wives, having fathered him when he was sixty. King Abimelech mentioned was a different ruler during Isaac's time in Gerar than the one who reigned before Isaac's birth during Abraham's era. Esau chose wives from the ungodly daughters of the heathen, going against his parents’ blessing, which displeased the Lord because his unions brought anguish to the righteous Isaac and Rebekah, who witnessed their corrupt behavior and impious lifestyles.
It appears that Esau's conduct prior to his marriages was also wicked, as it is understood that unrighteous wives are often a consequence given by God to unrighteous men for their transgressions, as noted: “The sinner's lot fell on her” (Sir. 25:21), indicating that a wicked wife is a burden that brings relentless suffering throughout one's life. Holy Scripture further reflects: “It is better to live with a lion and with a serpent than with a deceitful wife; the deceitfulness of a wife alters her appearance and darkens her face, like a bear among her unguarded offspring, her husband will lie down and hear her lament bitterly. The malice of a wife is greater than any other malice” (Sir. 25:18-21). If one wife causes immense distress for a sinful man, the torment must be even more severe for the God-despising Esau, of whom it is written, “Esau I have hated” (Malachi 1:2 and Romans 9:13). Thus, before experiencing everlasting punishment, God allowed Esau to suffer in this life from two wicked wives, likened to two festering wounds that plagued him daily throughout his existence.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS