Genesis 36:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Korach, Ga'tam and 'Amalek. These were the chieftains descended from Elifaz in Edom and from 'Adah.

Berean Standard Bible:

Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Duke{H441} Korah{H7141}, duke{H441} Gatam{H1609}, and duke{H441} Amalek{H6002}: these are the dukes{H441} that came of Eliphaz{H464} in the land{H776} of Edom{H123}; these were the sons{H1121} of Adah{H5711}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Exodus 15:15

  • Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

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Commentary for Genesis 36:16

Genesis 36:16 is part of a lengthy genealogy found in Genesis 36, which details the descendants of Esau, also known as Edom. Esau was the twin brother of Jacob (later named Israel) and the eldest son of Isaac and Rebekah. This verse specifically mentions the sons of Eliphaz, who was the firstborn son of Esau and his wife Adah.

The themes of this verse include:

1. **Family Lineage**: It emphasizes the importance of genealogies in the ancient Near East, which were crucial for establishing tribal connections, inheritance rights, and social status.
2. **Tribal Leadership**: The mention of "dukes" or "chiefs" indicates the emergence of tribal leaders among the Edomites, which reflects the early stages of political organization in Edom.
3. **Territorial Claims**: The reference to "the land of Edom" underscores the association of these tribal leaders with specific geographic regions, highlighting territorial claims and the beginnings of national identity.

The historical context of this verse is set in the period after the patriarchs but before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. It reflects a time when various groups, including the Edomites, were consolidating power and establishing themselves as distinct peoples in the regions east and south of the Dead Sea, which would later become significant in the history of Israel.

The Edomites were often at odds with the Israelites, and their complex relationship is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. The mention of Amalek is particularly noteworthy, as the Amalekites were a perennial enemy of Israel.

In summary, Genesis 36:16 provides a snapshot of the early tribal structure and leadership of the Edomites, descendants of Esau, and is situated within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives and the developing relationships between the peoples of the ancient Near East.

*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: H441
    There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַלּוּף
    Transliteration: ʼallûwph
    Pronunciation: al-loof'
    Description: or (shortened) אַלֻּף; from אָלַף; familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being tame; applied, although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle); captain, duke, (chief) friend, governor, guide, ox.
  2. Strong's Number: H7141
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֹרַח
    Transliteration: Qôrach
    Pronunciation: ko'rakh
    Description: from קָרַח; ice; Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites; Korah.
  3. Strong's Number: H1609
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גַּעְתָּם
    Transliteration: Gaʻtâm
    Pronunciation: gah-tawm'
    Description: of uncertain derivation; Gatam, an Edomite; Gatam.
  4. Strong's Number: H6002
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֲמָלֵק
    Transliteration: ʻĂmâlêq
    Pronunciation: am-aw-lake'
    Description: probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country; Amalek.
  5. Strong's Number: H464
    There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלִיפַז
    Transliteration: ʼĔlîyphaz
    Pronunciation: el-ee-faz'
    Description: from אֵל and פָּז; God of gold; Eliphaz, the name of one of Job's friends, and of a son of Esau; Eliphaz.
  6. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
  7. Strong's Number: H123
    There are 188 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱדֹם
    Transliteration: ʼĔdôm
    Pronunciation: ed-ome'
    Description: or (fully) אֱדוֹם ; from אָדֹם; red (see Genesis 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him; Edom, Edomites, Idumea.
  8. 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.
  9. Strong's Number: H5711
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָדָה
    Transliteration: ʻÂdâh
    Pronunciation: aw-daw'
    Description: from עָדָה; ornament; Adah, the name of two women; Adah.