(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.
The sons of Re'u'el were Nachat, Zerach, Shammah and Mizah. These were the sons of Basmat 'Esav's wife.
These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.
And these are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
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}.
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)