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Genesis 36

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1Now this is the history of the generations of Esau (that is, Edom).

2Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the Hivite;

3and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

4Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz. Basemath bore Reuel.

5Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

6Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, with his livestock, all his animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.

7For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn't bear them because of their livestock.

8Esau lived in the hill country of Seir. Esau is Edom.

9This is the history of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir:

10these are the names of Esau's sons: Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the wife of Esau; and Reuel, the son of Basemath, the wife of Esau.

11The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.

12Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau's son; and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, Esau's wife.

13These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife.

14These were the sons of Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

15These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,

16chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

17These are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these are the chiefs who came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife.

18These are the sons of Oholibamah, Esau's wife: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah: these are the chiefs who came of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.

19These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs.

20These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,

21Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.

22The children of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan's sister was Timna.

23These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.

24These are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed the donkeys of Zibeon his father.

25These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.

26These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

27These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.

28These are the children of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

29These are the chiefs who came of the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,

30chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan: these are the chiefs who came of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

31These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.

32Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah.

33Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place.

34Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

35Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

36Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

37Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place.

38Shaul died, and Baal Hanan, the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

39Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

40These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,

41chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

42chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,

43chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession. This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

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Genesis 36:1-999 Chapter 36

Esau and his descendants. --The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the covenant get the start. We may suppose it a trial to the faith of God's Israel, to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God, must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, Lu 16:25; while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

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Genesis 36:1 Posterity of Esau.

these are the generations--history of the leading men and events (compare Ge 2:4). Esau who is Edom--A name applied to him in reference to the peculiar color of his skin at birth [Ge 25:25], rendered more significant by his inordinate craving for the red pottage [Ge 25:30], and also by the fierce sanguinary character of his descendants (compare Eze 25:12; Ob 10).

Genesis 36:2-3 Posterity of Esau.

Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan--There were three, mentioned under different names; for it is evident that Bashemath is the same as Mahalath (Ge 28:9), since they both stand in the relation of daughter to Ishmael and sister to Nebajoth; and hence it may be inferred that Adah is the same as Judith, Aholibamah as Bathsemath (Ge 26:34). It was not unusual for women, in that early age, to have two names, as Sarai was also Iscah [Ge 11:29]; and this is the more probable in the case of Esau's wives, who of course would have to take new names when they went from Canaan to settle in mount Seir.

Genesis 36:6-7 Posterity of Esau.

Esau ... went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob--literally, "a country," without any certain prospect of a settlement. The design of this historical sketch of Esau and his family is to show how the promise (Ge 27:39, 40) was fulfilled. In temporal prosperity he far exceeds his brother; and it is remarkable that, in the overruling providence of God, the vast increase of his worldly substance was the occasion of his leaving Canaan and thus making way for the return of Jacob.

Genesis 36:8 Posterity of Esau.

Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir--This was divinely assigned as his possession (Jos 24:4; De 2:5). 15-19. dukes--The Edomites, like the Israelites, were divided into tribes, which took their names from his sons. The head of each tribe was called by a term which in our version is rendered "duke"--not of the high rank and wealth of a British peer, but like the sheiks or emirs of the modern East, or the chieftains of highland clans. Fourteen are mentioned who flourished contemporaneously. 20-30. Sons of Seir, the Horite--native dukes, who were incorporated with those of the Edomite race.

Genesis 36:24 Posterity of Esau.

This was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness--The word "mules" is, in several ancient versions, rendered "water springs"; and this discovery of some remarkable fountain was sufficient, among a wandering or pastoral people, to entitle him to such a distinguishing notice. 31-39. kings of Edom--The royal power was not built on the ruins of the dukedoms, but existed at the same time. 40-43. Recapitulation of the dukes according to their residences.

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Achbor: Father of King Baal-Hanan Genesis 36:39

When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

Adah: Wife of Esau Genesis 36:10–12

These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath. / The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. / Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah.

Aholibamah: Wife of Esau Genesis 36:3, 14, 25

and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. / These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah (daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon) whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. / These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.

Ajah: A Horite Genesis 36:24

These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.)

Akan: A Horite Genesis 36:27

These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.

Alvah: Duke of Edom Genesis 36:40

These are the names of Esau’s chiefs, according to their families and regions, by their names: Chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,

Amalek: Son of Eliphaz Genesis 36:12

Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah.

Anah: Father-In-Law or Mother-In-Law of Esau--An Error of Copyist Genesis 36:2, 14, 24

Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, / These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah (daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon) whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. / These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.)

Anah: Son of Seir Genesis 36:20, 24, 29

These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, / These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.) / These are the chiefs of the Horites: Chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,

Avith: Capital City of the Edomites Genesis 36:35

When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith.

Baal-Hanan: A King of Edom Genesis 36:38, 39

When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place. / When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

Bashemath: Wife of Esau Genesis 36:3, 4, 10, 13, 17

and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. / And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath gave birth to Reuel, / These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Beasts: Many Kinds of, Domestic Genesis 36:6

Later, Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the people of his household, along with his livestock, all his other animals, and all the property he had acquired in Canaan, and he moved to a land far away from his brother Jacob.

Bela: King of Edom Genesis 36:32, 33

Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah. / When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.

Cheran: A Horite Genesis 36:26

These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.

Daughter used Also for Granddaughter Genesis 36:2

Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite,

Deserts: Parts of, Afforded Pasture Genesis 36:24

These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.)

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