Original subtitles

-I failed you. -No.

Your bloodline ends with me.

[Abram] God spoke to me.

"Go forth," He said, "from your native land

into a land that I will show you."

He's going to give us children, Sarai.

Abram's god did not bring you out of Harran

to not give you a child.

[Sarai] We did what you asked, and nothing!

My womb stays closed!

Hagar, I want you to have Abram's child on my behalf.

-Your son. -Ishmael.

Sarah will have a son.

I am too old. This is madness.

-You feel this? -You're with child.

[Abraham] His name will be Isaac.

God will make His covenant with him.

Ishmael is your eldest.

It's God's will.

I'll never bow to him. Never!

Cast them both out.

We have to protect Isaac and the covenant.

Ishmael, please, come back!

[Rebekah] I was chosen to lead by God.

And it tested me at every turn.

Pitted me against my family, my husband...

and my sons.

Those that I loved.

If it meant I had to deceive,

that was my burden and my destiny.

I stand here now with blood on my hands.

[blade rings out]

-[lamb bleating] -Father, don't!

It's sick. It won't survive on its own.

Then I'll care for it.

Rebekah.

Please.

[lamb bleating]

I trust you.

[bleating]

-[bleating] -Yeah, look at me, yeah.

-Zephyr, be nice. -Careful.

That one horn is like a blade from my shears.

[thunder rumbling]

A storm is coming. You better tie him up.

Stay there.

I'll come check on you.

[wind whooshing]

[thunder rumbling]

[horses neighing]

[dramatic music]

A storm.

He'll be scared.

As you should be.

Come back inside.

[Rebekah] Zephyr?

[rooster crowing in distance]

I tied him right here.

Must have broken free and run off.

Zephyr! Zephyr?

It's not fair.

Why would the gods take him away?

Did I do something wrong?

No, no, no.

Maybe... maybe he was needed elsewhere.

I don't understand.

We all have a purpose, love.

One day, yours will reveal itself too.

[upbeat music]

[children laughing]

[indistinct background chatter]

Rebekah!

Keep an eye on your grandmother for a moment.

We need some new shears.

Hmm, he thinks I need a nursemaid.

[both chuckling]

-Look at this color. -Hmm.

Matches your eyes.

What's the matter?

Nothing. I...

I was lost in a memory.

Your great-aunt Sarah,

she wore a veil like this on her wedding day.

You've mentioned her before.

-Mm-hmm. -She's the one who left Harran.

When she was your age.

Why did she go?

Her husband, Abraham.

His god promised them a new life.

The adventures they must have had.

I've always wondered what lies beyond the mountains of Harran.

To leave home.

I could never. I'd miss it here too much.

Maybe it's your destiny as it was my sister Sarah's.

And what will you miss if you stay?

You have an audience.

None interest you?

I've known them all my life.

Your father's receiving offers.

He may ask you to choose.

Mmm, I won't settle out of fear of being alone.

Certainly not for three goats and a mule.

[both chuckling]

I'd never forgive you if you did.

[soft dramatic music]

[sheep bleating]

[Eliezer] Please.

May I have a drink of water?

You may, sir.

You may call me Eliezer.

I apologize if I startled you.

It's been a long journey.

Please, drink your fill.

[ethereal tone, indistinct whispers echoing]

Who is that with your camels?

[camels grunting]

I see no one.

Poor things.

I'll draw water for them as well.

Tell me whose daughter you are.

I'm the daughter of Bethuel,

son of Milcah and Nahor.

Ah, blessed be the Lord,

who has led me straight to my master's kinsmen.

Who is your master?

-Abraham? -Can you believe?

Did we not just speak of him the other day?

What brings his servant to Harran?

He was sent with an offering.

Well, then I should see to him.

Show him our hospitality.

Eliezer, did my sister Sarah

ever have the child she yearned for?

She did.

In fact, her son is the reason of my errand.

Abraham asked that I return

to the land of his father and find his kin.

He said an angel would accompany me.

An angel?

When I arrived, I prayed that,

if a maiden offered to draw water for me and my camels,

she'd be the one I was meant to find.

For what purpose?

To take her to Canaan,

so that she might become wife to my master's son.

What do you know of their god?

I know that Abraham spoke to Him and I believe it.

He was a changed man after that.

What are you not telling me?

-I saw him. -Who?

The angel the servant spoke of.

I saw him even as he did not.

My whole life, I've been waiting.

For what, I don't know.

What if this is it?

If it is and I don't go, I'll regret it.

But if it's not and I do, I'll regret that too.

What does your heart tell you?

I assume the animals you traveled with are included?

Save for the colts needed for the journey to Canaan.

No need to rush a decision, sister.

We've negotiated more time for deliberations.

In ten days, we'll decide--

I don't need ten days.

I'll go with him.

Are you sure?

You once told me that I would know my purpose when it comes.

[soft dramatic music]

May you be the mother to thousands,

and tens of thousands.

I'll miss you.

And I you.

[breathing deeply]

May your descendants inherit the gate of their enemies.

[rousing music]

[gentle music]

Deborah, I so appreciate you coming.

It'll be nice to have a face from home beside me.

Not since the day you were born have I left your side.

I may need to lean on you...

as I adjust to this new... everything.

You'll have your husband to lean on as well.

[horse chuffs]

It's a good name. Isaac.

It means "laughter."

He could be funny.

Funny looking.

[both chuckle]

[music continues]

[horse neighs]

[Eliezer] This is your betrothed,

Isaac, son of Abraham.

Come. I'll announce you.

Who's this?

Your father sent me to Harran to find a wife.

A wife?

I assumed he sent word.

No, he didn't.

This is exactly like him.

He's meddling again, and he thinks of no one but himself.

Sorry, forgive me.

I don't know who you are or what you've been told,

but you've been misled.

We can arrange travel back to...

wherever she came from.

It's nearly night.

Fine, in the morning then.

[rooster crowing]

Did you see the look on his face,

as though he was the one inconvenienced?

I did.

Now I'm to return home with the stain of rejection.

No one will believe what really transpired.

Oh, what was I thinking coming here?

Excuse me, um, sorry, I didn't get your name.

And now he invades my privacy.

What do you want?

[Isaac] I have word of your travel.

[Rebekah] Spit it out then.

Well, there's been a delay.

A delay? Where's Eliezer?

Why does he not return us to Harran?

[stammering] Uh, yeah, he left.

Left?

Yes, this morning, first light.

He went to Be'er Sheva, my father's house.

How long will it take then?

Several days, maybe more.

Of course.

Why stem the embarrassment

when we can linger in it a little longer?

It was never my intention to offend.

I just, I--

I wasn't expecting you.

You have my apologies.

I don't need your pity.

The indignity itself is enough, thank you.

My anger wasn't directed at you.

My father...

He was doing what's best for you.

I assure you he has no idea what that would mean.

[sighs] You hungry?

We have food. I could bring food--

It's unusual you live so far from him.

You're estranged, I take it?

Which of you offended the other?

Given my recent experience,

I have a guess as to the culprit.

You're speaking of things you know nothing about.

Your father is a respected and righteous man.

What could he possibly have done?

He held a knife to my throat and he was going to kill me.

Uh... forgive me.

It's not your burden.

How can it be true?

By your grandmother's own account,

Abraham is the finest of men.

He has no reason to lie, not about something like that.

[sheep bleating, dogs barking]

I accept.

You accept?

It's clear I've landed in the midst

of whatever war rages between you and your father.

Perhaps it was unfair of me to blame you.

So I accept your apology.

Well, seems I needn't have bothered then.

With what?

This.

It's a bauble, really.

It's a peace offering.

Thank you.

Oh, here.

[gentle music]

It's beautiful.

I find threading the beads strangely calming.

And that's something I learned from my father.

Glad to know things between you weren't all bad.

Well, thank you, again.

Pleasure.

[gentle music]

[Isaac] The beast was twice the size of any man,

with its eyes gouged out.

But it didn't need its eyes to find me.

It could use its nose. [sniffs]

And its ears.

And its... claws!

[children exclaim]

[Isaac laughs] Got you.

I saw your face. You were very scared.

And you, you were the most scared...

-I wasn't! -Out of everyone.

They say our escort arrives tomorrow.

[sighs]

So we'll be home soon.

If that's what you want.

[blows out candle]

[gentle music]

Can't sleep either?

When I was little, I used to try and count them.

May I ask you a question?

Mm, of course.

Were you unhappy in Harran?

No.

Why leave your home to marry a man you'd never met?

I thought my purpose was elsewhere,

as ridiculous as that now sounds.

I don't think it's ridiculous.

All the stars in the sky.

So shall my descendants be.

Too numerous to count.

God Himself promised so.

Promised who?

Well, not me.

God doesn't speak to me, only my father.

I'm sorry.

I was the test.

My father's god commanded him to make a sacrifice.

A burnt offering.

So he and I traveled for three days to Mount Moriah.

And it didn't occur to me to ask until we were halfway up

where the lamb was.

He said, "Don't worry."

Once we reached the highest point,

he built a pyre of wood.

And then he turned to me.

I've never seen a look like it.

It was so much sorrow.

And that's when I realized...

I was the sacrifice.

The way he looked at me.

He was prepared to do it, to kill me.

Who could do such a thing?

My father could.

He believed God gave him a son,

and if God wanted the son back, then...

it was not his to withhold.

I don't know how I can love him and hate him.

It's...

You're stronger than you know, Isaac.

To understand why he did it,

and the fear he must have felt...

not everyone can do that.

I sometimes dream about the ram

that was the sacrifice in my place.

It seemed so calm,

as if it was exactly where it was supposed to be.

[thunder rumbling]

What was most striking about it though was its eyes.

One blue, one brown,

alongside an unusual-shaped horn.

I thought your father brought no-- no offering.

It is as if it appeared from nowhere.

Like it dropped out of the sky.

Which was-- that was so strange that day.

The clouds were roiling in a way

I've never seen before, nor since.

How long ago did all of this happen?

Many years.

Why do you ask?

It's nothing. I just--

When I was a girl, I raised a lamb.

He had one blue eye and one brown,

alongside an unusual-shaped horn.

And one night, he disappeared in a storm,

just like the one you described.

Could you wait here a moment?

My father gave me this when I came of age,

so I would remember that day.

Zephyr.

My lamb.

Are you certain?

Yes.

I don't know what this means.

That I don't have to keep looking anymore.

My purpose, it's here.

You'll stay?

And be my wife?

[soft dramatic music]

[mule braying]

[Deborah] Isaac should know the truth.

I don't want to worry him.

I have never seen a child toss and turn like this.

Something's distressing him.

What if the midwife missed something,

or it's beyond her understanding?

Only God may know.

Then I'll inquire of Him myself.

[music continues]

I beseech you, Lord.

Tell me why my womb fights with itself.

What troubles my unborn child?

What is its fate?

I beg you, my Lord.

[music continues]

[voice echoing] I beg you, my Lord.

[God] Rebekah.

[thunder rumbling]

Thank you.

-Two for today. -[thunder rumbling]

Sounds like a storm is brewing.

[thunder rumbling]

Rebekah?

Rebekah?

[thunder rumbling]

[thunderclap]

[ominous music]

Rebekah!

[thunderclaps]

Rebekah!

Rebekah!

Rebekah! Rebekah!

Rebekah, are you all right?

Are you all right? You're not hurt?

I'm fine. I'm fine.

All right, we need to get you inside.

Isaac, Isaac, He spoke to me.

He spoke to me.

Uh-huh, come.

-He spoke to me. -Come on.

I asked Him to bless our son

and to ensure his good health,

and I-- I never thought He'd answer.

I'm not unwell, my love.

I did hear Him.

I-- I swear it.

I still feel His words in my bones.

My father's god?

Yes.

What did He say?

That we're to have two sons.

Twins?

A blessing to be sure,

and the reason it's not been easy.

They strive against one another.

He also said that one will be stronger.

And that the elder would serve the younger.

[stammering]

The younger would be heir?

As with you and Ishmael.

[Rebekah straining]

There are two, just as you thought.

They both strive to be first.

Forgive me, mistress. I must settle the question

of which it'll be, or we risk harming all of you.

It is time.

[Rebekah wincing]

[gasping]

[straining]

My gods!

He clings on tight to his brother.

[baby crying]

[uplifting music]

The second one announces himself.

Push, mistress!

[wincing and straining]

[music continues]

He'll need extra attention, this one.

Thank you.

[Rebekah sighs]

Oh...

Hello.

Hello.

Look at his hair too.

Esau.

Surely his name has to be Esau.

Which is firstborn?

The one you hold.

[Rebekah] And this shall be Jacob.

My little lamb.

Look, look, look, look, look, look!

Look at you, Esau. So strong.

Look at you. Look at you.

Going to be a hunter like no other, I know it.

[Rebekah] I know.

[man] I'll take Jacob for you.

There we are.

-Thank you. -Come here, little man.

It's all-- it's all right.

[man] Let's go to the tree.

Bom-bom-bom-bom-bom.

Bup-bup.

There's something we've not discussed in some time.

What's that, my love?

Something we need to revisit.

What awaits them, as God has divined.

Oh, no.

We don't need to talk about that now.

Then when?

-Well-- -[horse neighing]

Eliezer.

What's all this? The horses?

An offering from your father.

He follows behind.

Abraham is coming?

To celebrate the birth of his grandsons.

We are to ready a feast for the occasion.

He's here but a few days.

Of course we are.

Do not worry, my love.

I will be with you every step of the way.

But for now, there is much to do.

The matter we discussed earlier.

I ask that we keep it to ourselves.

You don't want your father to know?

No.

Or the boys.

Let them grow up and become who they're meant to be,

and then we'll revisit.

[excited chatter]

[soft drumming]

I have seen brothers strive, but not before they had names.

It must've been difficult on you.

Worth every moment.

[Abraham grunts]

His spirit is strong.

You wouldn't think they're the same age.

Esau was firstborn.

Yes, I can tell.

It's good you have broad shoulders, child.

A great weight will be on them in time.

And this one.

Jacob's clever, you can tell.

Always thinking.

He's destined for great things, I think.

Time will tell.

The Angel of God blesses them both.

[dramatic music]

It'll allow you to pull the water to the surface

in half the time.

Jacob may be the brightest among us.

And if your hand slips...

If you spent more time with him, you'd see for yourself.

[Jacob] It'll catch on this latch here.

You think I don't see him?

I think you're easily distracted.

[men] Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

[horses approaching]

-[man laughing] -Hyah!

Brother!

We shall feast on your favorite stew tonight.

Make sure to draw enough for every pot in camp.

-I see him. -Mm-hmm.

He is hard to miss.

[music continues]

Is that all that's left?

Have you not eaten?

Kills do not cut themselves.

I've been at it since returning from the hunt.

Shame. It's quite good.

Give it to me.

You're not the only one who's hungry.

You wouldn't have any if it weren't for me.

-Buy it from me. -[scoffs]

Don't be a child.

What do you want for it?

Sell me your birthright.

[Esau laughs]

Have you been drinking Father's wine?

Fine. I don't want it anyway.

The stew or your birthright?

Boys being boys.

You deceive yourself.

You refuse to see what's right in front of you.

And you refuse to listen.

Rebekah, I will not revisit this conversation.

Esau is the firstborn.

By choice of the midwives delivering him, nothing more.

You favor Jacob. Fine.

But you cannot usurp what is Esau's by birthright.

So says the second-born heir.

Ishmael is your elder by years,

Esau by only moments, and yet, somehow,

God's will has bearing in one instance and not the other.

God's will.

Is that what this is about?

Because He spoke to me and not you?

Be careful.

Believe me, my love, I'd much rather He'd spoken to you.

Every day, I'm forced to look at our boys

knowing God values one more than the other.

Do you think I want this?

It is a burden, and one I desperately wish

I wasn't alone in carrying.

I love Esau dearly.

He provides like no other, but he is reckless.

Do you know that two nights ago,

I saw a servant leave his tent, barely dressed.

He will get himself in trouble in short order.

You make all these leaps to support your argument.

No, Isaac! Esau's headstrong and decisive.

We mustn't mistake confidence for competence.

The future of your nation is at stake.

Look, how do I make you understand, all right?

I've lived this. I've lived the result.

If we go against the natural order of things,

we will lose them both.

Please, swear to me.

Swear to me you will never mention this to either of them.

You said there would come a time.

Rebekah!

Forgive me. I come with word.

Eliezer? What is it?

Your father, there's not much time.

He's dying.

[dramatic music]

[Rebekah] A great man lies dying.

Would that he will give me the courage.

The courage to follow God's will.

Welcome.

He is weak, but he will be gladdened to see you.

Thank you.

What happens next?

The blessing carries the weight

of your grandfather's covenant with God.

They are not merely words.

You understand?

I never understood.

In truth, neither did I.

But I loved you so.

I'm proud of you and the man you've become.

Isaac.

Unite our households.

Look after my people...

as if they were your own.

I shall.

Son...

May your descendants be as numerous as the stars and sand.

All the nations of the earth

shall be blessed by them

when you obey His command.

My covenant with God passes to you.

[somber music]

God bless and keep you, Father.

Fear and doubt plague Esau.

God has told me...

it is Jacob who must lead nations.

You must see to it.

[soft dramatic music]

[dog barks]