(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.
Korach, Ga'tam and 'Amalek. These were the chieftains descended from Elifaz in Edom and from 'Adah.
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah.
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.
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}.
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
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)