Genesis 36:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And these [are] the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The sons of Re'u'el were Nachat, Zerach, Shammah and Mizah. These were the sons of Basmat 'Esav's wife.

Berean Standard Bible:

These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

American Standard Version:

And these are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And these are the sons{H1121} of Reuel{H7467}; Nahath{H5184}, and Zerah{H2226}, Shammah{H8048}, and Mizzah{H4199}: these were the sons{H1121} of Bashemath{H1315} Esau's{H6215} wife{H802}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Genesis 36:17

  • 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.

1 Chronicles 1:37

  • The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

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Commentary for Genesis 36:13

Genesis 36:13 is part of a lengthy genealogical passage in the Bible that details the descendants of Esau, who is also known as Edom. Esau was the older twin brother of Jacob (later named Israel) and the son of Isaac and Rebekah. The verse specifically mentions the sons of Reuel, who is one of Esau's grandsons through his son Eliphaz and his wife Bashemath (also known as Adah).

Themes:
1. **Genealogy**: The primary theme of this verse is the tracing of family lineage, which was crucial in the ancient Near East for establishing identity, inheritance rights, and tribal relationships.
2. **The Promises to Abraham**: This genealogy is part of the broader narrative of the Bible that follows the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While Jacob's lineage leads to the formation of the nation of Israel, Esau's lineage contributes to the Edomite people, who have a complex relationship with Israel throughout the Old Testament.
3. **Blessing and Nationhood**: The descendants of Esau, though not the primary recipients of the Abrahamic covenant, are nonetheless blessed and become a nation (Edom), illustrating the expansive reach of God's blessings.

Historical Context:
1. **Time Period**: The events described in Genesis 36 likely occurred during the late second millennium BCE, a period associated with the Patriarchs in the Bible.
2. **Edomites**: The Edomites were a significant people in the region south of the Dead Sea and the Negev. They had a tumultuous relationship with the Israelites, ranging from conflict to coexistence, and are often mentioned in the historical and prophetic books of the Bible.
3. **Tribal Structure**: The listing of tribes and clans reflects the social structure of the time, where tribal identity was paramount. This structure was common among ancient Near Eastern peoples, including the Hebrews and their neighbors.

In summary, Genesis 36:13 is a verse that contributes to the genealogical record of Esau's descendants, emphasizing the importance of lineage in the ancient world and the fulfillment of divine promises concerning the proliferation of nations from Abraham's line. It also sets the stage for the historical interactions between the Edomites and the Israelites.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H1121
    There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּן
    Transliteration: bên
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
  2. Strong's Number: H7467
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רְעוּאֵל
    Transliteration: Rᵉʻûwʼêl
    Pronunciation: reh-oo-ale'
    Description: from the same as רְעוּ and אֵל; friend of God; Reuel, the name of Moses' father-in-law, also of an Edomite and an Israelite; Raguel, Reuel.
  3. Strong's Number: H5184
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נַחַת
    Transliteration: Nachath
    Pronunciation: nakh'-ath
    Description: the same as נַחַת; quiet; Nachath, the name of an Edomite and of two Israelites; Nahath.
  4. Strong's Number: H2226
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: זֶרַח
    Transliteration: Zerach
    Pronunciation: zeh'-rakh
    Description: the same as זֶרַח; Zerach, the name of three Israelites, also of an Idumaean and an Ethiopian prince; Zarah, Zerah.
  5. Strong's Number: H8048
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שַׁמָּה
    Transliteration: Shammâh
    Pronunciation: sham-maw'
    Description: the same as שַׁמָּה; Shammah, the name of an Edomite and four Israelites; Shammah.
  6. Strong's Number: H4199
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִזָּה
    Transliteration: Mizzâh
    Pronunciation: miz-zaw'
    Description: probably from an unused root meaning to faint with fear; terror; Mizzah, an Edomite; Mizzah.
  7. Strong's Number: H1315
    There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בׇּשְׂמַת
    Transliteration: Bosmath
    Pronunciation: bos-math'
    Description: feminine of בֶּשֶׂם (the second form); fragrance; Bosmath, the name of a wife of Esau, and of a daughter of Solomon; Bashemath, Basmath.
  8. Strong's Number: H6215
    There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵשָׂו
    Transliteration: ʻÊsâv
    Pronunciation: ay-sawv'
    Description: apparently a form of the passive participle of עָשָׂה in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity; Esau.
  9. Strong's Number: H802
    There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִשָּׁה
    Transliteration: ʼishshâh
    Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
    Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English.