mess of pottage

Something of little, trivial, or no value but which appears to be attractive or valuable on first reckoning. An allusion to Esau in Genesis 25:29–32, who sells to Jacob his birthright to his family's estate for a bowl of lentil stew (pottage). Only after the economic crash did it become fully clear what messes of pottage these sub-prime mortgages proved to be for first-time homeowners. If we allow our obsession with job creation to undermine the health of the environment, humanity will ultimately end up selling its birthright for a mess of pottage.

sell (one's) birthright for a mess of pottage

To exchange something of great, important, or fundamental value for some financial gain that proves to be of little, trivial, or no value but which appears to be attractive or valuable on first reckoning. An allusion to Esau in Genesis 25:29–32, who sells to Jacob his birthright to his family's estate for a bowl of lentil stew (pottage). If we allow our obsession with job creation to undermine the health of the environment, humanity will ultimately end up selling its birthright for a mess of pottage.

See also: birthright, for, mess, of, pottage, sell

sell (something) for a mess of pottage

To exchange something of great, important, or fundamental value for some financial gain that proves to be of little, trivial, or no value but which appears to be attractive or valuable on first reckoning. An allusion to Esau in Genesis 25:29–32, who sells to Jacob his birthright to his family's estate for a bowl of lentil stew (pottage). The convenience of the Internet age has also brought an unprecedented level of access to people's personal information, leading some to believe that we've sold our right to privacy for a mess of pottage. If we allow our obsession with job creation to undermine the health of the environment, humanity will ultimately end up selling its future for a mess of pottage.

a mess of pottage

LITERARY, OLD-FASHIONED

If someone exchanges something of lasting value for a mess of pottage, they foolishly exchange it for something of no lasting value. I think he has sold his soul for a mess of pottage. Note: A mess of pottage is a dish of vegetables. This expression comes from a story in the Bible, which tells how Esau was hungry and sold his privileges as first-born son to his brother Jacob in return for this meal. (Genesis 25:29-33)

sell something for a mess of pottage

sell something for a ridiculously small amount.

This expression comes from the biblical story of Esau, who sold his birthright to his brother Jacob in return for a dish of lentil broth (Genesis 25:29–34). Mess is a term for a serving of semi-liquid food and pottage is an archaic word for soup or stew. Although the phrase is recorded from 1526 it does not occur in the Authorized Version of the Bible ( 1611 ); it does, however, appear in chapter headings in the Bibles of 1537 and 1539 and in the Geneva Bible of 1560 .

See also: for, mess, of, pottage, sell, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

See also:

References in periodicals archive

OPEN AGAIN: Diane Pottage of Egglescliffe Community Centre SHOCKED: James Wharton MP, left, and a resident surveying the damage at the shops on Durham Road, above, which were destroyed, as reported, top Pictures by IAN COOPER

COMMUNITY REELING FROM ARSON BLOW

Helpers Shelby Connell and Sophie Pelamountain are also pictured.; TRIBUTE Anne-May Pottage - outstanding contribution.

Soggy summer but gardeners beaming; Green-fingered rewarded for their efforts

Being cooked in a royal household, more luxurious ingredients were added to the pottage and so the recipe moved on with more fruit and ale being added to it.

The proof of the pudding...; A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

It was then a clearly frustrated Ince said 'and where's your busy f*** of a fourth?' "Pottage was stood behind Ince at this time and said 'I'm here.' Ince then turned around and violently shoved Pottage with two hands into the chest.

SCREAMING ..SHOVING ..ABUSIVE; Why Ince was handed five-game ban Why INCE 'ABUSE' BAN

September 7 2007 - Site meeting attended by Coun Grigg, Anne-May Pottage, from Tynedale Council, and Graeme Wakefield, of Crawford Higgins Associates.

Council and developer rapped over skatepark; Mix-up blamed on failures in communication

Plum pudding was also a favoured dessert at that time and was then known as plum pottage.

A CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND: Christmas dinner... but not as we know it

It was then a clearly frustrated Ince said 'and where's your busy f*** of a fourth?' "Pottage said 'I'm here.' Ince then violently shoved Pottage in the chest.

INCE 'ABUSE' BAN

Trimdon started strongly in the second half but Skelton''s defenders Luke Walton, Jack Wellard, Joe Calvert and Nathan Pinkster held strong with goalie Evan Pottage making some fantastic saves.

Skelton

After a consultation with colour technician Helen Pottage, Amy decided to go for a mixture of three tones - beige-blonde, honeyblonde and dark chocolate - layered under her parting.

fashion: Prize is right for glamour girl Amy; When a dad won a raffle for a Chronicle makeover he nominated his young daughter for a day of pampering. SUHAINE STEVENS has the details

Council parks officer Anne-May Pottage said: "Selefest is very much the young people's own festival, brought about by requests from youngsters who use the skate park in Hexham Parks.

Festival climbs to great heights

But Ince was sent to the stands by fourth official Mark Pottage - and the pair clashed in the tunnel after the game, Mr Pottage falling against a wall.

FIVE-GAME INCE BAN

Teacher Juliana Pottage said: "It's been a great event on our purpose-built outdoor area and summer shelter.

Got the wildlife bug!

"When will the working class of this area see that the socialism which they so want to believe in is nothing more than a mess of pottage, and has already sold its birthright as such.

your view; Voice of the North