שני בנים וארבע קללות: ההקבלות בין כנען לעשו בספר היובלים

Jubilees pairs the figures of Canaan and Esau in apparent reflection of the fact that the biblical narrative treats them similarly, both having been cursed with slavery by their forebearers. Jubilees presents this condemnation as falling upon their immediate descendants, whom Jacob subjugates in military combat. It also understands both figures to be subject to a further curse—i.e., that their descendants are to be annihilated on the ‘day of judgment.’ Unlike the biblical curses against Esau and Canaan, this latter-day annihilation is attributed to their making of vain oaths. The curse upon Esau and Canaan and their descendants thus stems from their failure to observe God’s ordinances, while at the same time, their wickedness and lawlessness constitute a paradigm for the relationships between their descendants and with the people Israel. Jubilees therefore suggests that since the ‘lessons of the past’ demonstrate that Esau and Canaan cannot keep their oaths, the Israelites should not enter into any alliances with these neighbors.