As it is written In Malachi 1:2-3. Nearly verbatim from LXX. The prophet is there appealing, in God's name, to the people to remember His distinguishing and unmerited choice of Jacob over Esau to inherit the land. Not the quotation merely, but the context, is to the purpose here.

have I loved Lit., and better, did I love; when I gave him the preference. So below, did I hate.

hated Cp. Genesis 29:33; Genesis 29:30, for proof that this word, in contrast with love, need not imply positive hatred, but the absence of love, or even less love. One verse there tells us that Jacob "hated" Leah, the other that he "loved Rachel more." See too Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26; John 12:25.

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