Genesis 36: The Generations of Esau
Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.
Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
And Bashemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.
And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:
These are the names of Esau’s sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.
And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.
And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife.
And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.
And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife: and she bare to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.
And these are the sons of Reuel Esau’s son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.
And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau’s wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife.
These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes.
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,
And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.
And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.
And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.
The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran.
These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,
Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.
And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.
And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.
And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.
And Saul died, and Baal–hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
And Baal–hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites.
Genesis 35 concludes with the death of Isaac, marking the end of his story arc (Genesis 25:19). In contrast, Genesis 36 offers a concise record of Esau's descendants, primarily focusing on genealogy and the rulers of Edom, the nation that sprang from him. This chapter serves as a bridge, much like Genesis 25:12–18 detailed the fate of Ishmael, another son who did not inherit the covenant promise. Genesis 37 then transitions to the generations of Jacob, particularly the captivating narrative of Joseph, which will extend to the end of the book. As Tony Evans notes, this extended genealogy signals a major shift in the narrative, closing the chapter on Esau and his lineage, similar to how the author addressed Cain (Genesis 4), Noah's sons (Genesis 10), Lot (Genesis 19), and Ishmael (Genesis 25).
Esau's Wives and Sons (Genesis 36:1-5)
The chapter begins by identifying Esau as Edom and listing three of his wives as mothers to his sons. These wives, taken from the Canaanite people, are named Adah, Oholibamah, and Basemath. Interestingly, discrepancies exist between their names and their fathers' names as recorded in Genesis 26:34 and 28:9. This could suggest Esau had other wives or that their names were changed over time. Abraham had been adamant that Isaac should not marry a Canaanite woman, and Isaac directed Jacob to seek a wife from their relatives. Esau's choice to marry Canaanite women likely contributed to his eventual separation from the family. These wives bore him five sons, including Eliphaz, his firstborn, all within the land of Canaan. This contrasts with Jacob, whose sons, with one exception, were born outside the land before his return.
The Move to Seir (Genesis 36:6-8)
Esau's family, along with all his possessions, relocated to the hill country of Seir. This territory had previously been inhabited by the Horites (Genesis 14:6), who were displaced during a period of conquest (Deuteronomy 2:12). This move fulfills the prophecy of Esau breaking free from his brother's influence (Genesis 27:39-40) and was driven by economic necessity, as the land could not sustain both large clans.
Esau, Edom, and the Chiefs of Edom (Genesis 36:9-19, 40-43)
The text emphasizes the equivalence of Esau and Edom, stressing that the Edomite people and nation originated from him. His grandsons are listed according to their fathers and again as chiefs or tribal leaders in Edom. The repeated emphasis on Esau being Edom underscores the origin of this nation. The land they came to rule bears a name with an ironic connection to Esau's physical characteristics. Esau was known for being hairy (Genesis 27:11), and the word "Seir" literally means "shaggy." One notable name within this lineage is Amalek, whose descendants would become fierce enemies of Israel (Exodus 17:8, 16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; 1 Samuel 15:2-3). The chapter concludes by listing another set of chiefs of Esau, possibly designating regions within Edom named after the original heads of the clans who occupied those areas.
Kings of Edom Before Israel (Genesis 36:31-39)
The chapter includes a list of kings who reigned in Edom "before any king reigned over the Israelites." This detail is significant because Israel would spend over four centuries in slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:40) before being led by a series of judges (Judges 12:25), preceding the establishment of a monarchy. This highlights that God had promised that Esau’s descendants would grow into a nation of his own—the Edomites. This, however, was a nation forged after the flesh, with a series of kings (36:31-43) who promoted their own agendas.
The Fate of Edom
Over time, the nation of Edom became hostile towards Israel (Numbers 20:14-21; 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Kings 8:20). This hostility culminated in Edom's participation in Israel's defeat and exile, leading to God's judgment on the Edomites (Obadiah 1:1-4, 10). Prophecy was fulfilled when the Nabateans conquered Seir, and the nation of Edom was dissolved (Malachi 1:2-5). Surviving Edomites settled in Hebron, becoming known as the Idumeans. Herod the Great, who attempted to kill Jesus as an infant (Matthew 2:16-18), was a notable Idumean. In AD 70, the Idumeans joined the Jewish rebellion against Rome and were ultimately annihilated. As a nation and even as a distinct people group, they ceased to exist.
Genesis 36, while seemingly a dry genealogical record, serves as a crucial reminder that God's promises extend even to those outside the immediate line of covenant. Although Esau forfeited his birthright, God still blessed him and his descendants, fulfilling His word. However, the Edomites' subsequent hostility towards Israel demonstrates the consequences of choosing a path apart from God's chosen people and His ultimate plan of redemption.
Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.
Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
And Bashemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.
And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:
These are the names of Esau’s sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.
And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.
And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife.
And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.
And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife: and she bare to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.
And these are the sons of Reuel Esau’s son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.
And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau’s wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife.
These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes.
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,
And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna.
And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.
And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.
And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.
The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran.
These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,
Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.
And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.
And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.
And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.
And Saul died, and Baal–hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
And Baal–hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites.
Genesis 35 concludes with the death of Isaac, marking the end of his story arc (Genesis 25:19). In contrast, Genesis 36 offers a concise record of Esau's descendants, primarily focusing on genealogy and the rulers of Edom, the nation that sprang from him. This chapter serves as a bridge, much like Genesis 25:12–18 detailed the fate of Ishmael, another son who did not inherit the covenant promise. Genesis 37 then transitions to the generations of Jacob, particularly the captivating narrative of Joseph, which will extend to the end of the book. As Tony Evans notes, this extended genealogy signals a major shift in the narrative, closing the chapter on Esau and his lineage, similar to how the author addressed Cain (Genesis 4), Noah's sons (Genesis 10), Lot (Genesis 19), and Ishmael (Genesis 25).
Esau's Wives and Sons (Genesis 36:1-5)
The chapter begins by identifying Esau as Edom and listing three of his wives as mothers to his sons. These wives, taken from the Canaanite people, are named Adah, Oholibamah, and Basemath. Interestingly, discrepancies exist between their names and their fathers' names as recorded in Genesis 26:34 and 28:9. This could suggest Esau had other wives or that their names were changed over time. Abraham had been adamant that Isaac should not marry a Canaanite woman, and Isaac directed Jacob to seek a wife from their relatives. Esau's choice to marry Canaanite women likely contributed to his eventual separation from the family. These wives bore him five sons, including Eliphaz, his firstborn, all within the land of Canaan. This contrasts with Jacob, whose sons, with one exception, were born outside the land before his return.
The Move to Seir (Genesis 36:6-8)
Esau's family, along with all his possessions, relocated to the hill country of Seir. This territory had previously been inhabited by the Horites (Genesis 14:6), who were displaced during a period of conquest (Deuteronomy 2:12). This move fulfills the prophecy of Esau breaking free from his brother's influence (Genesis 27:39-40) and was driven by economic necessity, as the land could not sustain both large clans.
Esau, Edom, and the Chiefs of Edom (Genesis 36:9-19, 40-43)
The text emphasizes the equivalence of Esau and Edom, stressing that the Edomite people and nation originated from him. His grandsons are listed according to their fathers and again as chiefs or tribal leaders in Edom. The repeated emphasis on Esau being Edom underscores the origin of this nation. The land they came to rule bears a name with an ironic connection to Esau's physical characteristics. Esau was known for being hairy (Genesis 27:11), and the word "Seir" literally means "shaggy." One notable name within this lineage is Amalek, whose descendants would become fierce enemies of Israel (Exodus 17:8, 16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19; 1 Samuel 15:2-3). The chapter concludes by listing another set of chiefs of Esau, possibly designating regions within Edom named after the original heads of the clans who occupied those areas.
Kings of Edom Before Israel (Genesis 36:31-39)
The chapter includes a list of kings who reigned in Edom "before any king reigned over the Israelites." This detail is significant because Israel would spend over four centuries in slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:40) before being led by a series of judges (Judges 12:25), preceding the establishment of a monarchy. This highlights that God had promised that Esau’s descendants would grow into a nation of his own—the Edomites. This, however, was a nation forged after the flesh, with a series of kings (36:31-43) who promoted their own agendas.
The Fate of Edom
Over time, the nation of Edom became hostile towards Israel (Numbers 20:14-21; 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Kings 8:20). This hostility culminated in Edom's participation in Israel's defeat and exile, leading to God's judgment on the Edomites (Obadiah 1:1-4, 10). Prophecy was fulfilled when the Nabateans conquered Seir, and the nation of Edom was dissolved (Malachi 1:2-5). Surviving Edomites settled in Hebron, becoming known as the Idumeans. Herod the Great, who attempted to kill Jesus as an infant (Matthew 2:16-18), was a notable Idumean. In AD 70, the Idumeans joined the Jewish rebellion against Rome and were ultimately annihilated. As a nation and even as a distinct people group, they ceased to exist.
Genesis 36, while seemingly a dry genealogical record, serves as a crucial reminder that God's promises extend even to those outside the immediate line of covenant. Although Esau forfeited his birthright, God still blessed him and his descendants, fulfilling His word. However, the Edomites' subsequent hostility towards Israel demonstrates the consequences of choosing a path apart from God's chosen people and His ultimate plan of redemption.