Genesis36

Genesis chapter 36 meticulously details the generations of Esau, also known as Edom, outlining his wives, sons, and grandsons. It records his relocation to Mount Seir due to the abundance of his possessions and lists his descendants as dukes of Edom. The chapter also includes the genealogies of the Horite inhabitants of the land and a succession of kings who reigned in Edom before the monarchy of Israel.

Esau’s Family and Relocation

1
This is the genealogy of 'Esav (that is, Edom). ​
2
'Esav chose Kena'ani women as his wives: 'Adah the daughter of Eilon the Hitti; Oholivamah the daughter of 'Anah the daughter of Tziv'on the Hivi; ​
3
and Basmat Yishma'el's daughter, sister of N'vayot.
4
'Adah bore to 'Esav Elifaz, Basmat bore Re'u'el,
5
and Oholivamah bore Ye'ush, Ya'lam and Korach. These were the sons of 'Esav born to him in the land of Kena'an.
6
'Esav took his wives, his sons and daughters, the others in his household, his cattle and other animals and everything else he owned, which he had acquired in the land of Kena'an, and went off to a country distant from his brother Ya'akov.
7
For their possessions had become too great for them to live together, and the countryside through which they were traveling couldn't support so much livestock. ​
8
So 'Esav lived in the hill-country of Se'ir. ('Esav is Edom.)

The Sons and Dukes of Edom

9
This is the genealogy of 'Esav the father of Edom in the hill-country of Se'ir. ​
10
The names of 'Esav's sons were Elifaz, son of 'Adah the wife of 'Esav, and Re'u'el the son of Basmat the wife of 'Esav.
11
The sons of Elifaz were Teman, Omar, Tzefo, Ga'tam and K'naz.
12
Timnah was the concubine of Elifaz 'Esav's son, and she bore to Elifaz 'Amalek. These were the descendants of 'Adah 'Esav's wife. ​
13
The sons of Re'u'el were Nachat, Zerach, Shammah and Mizah. These were the sons of Basmat 'Esav's wife.
14
These were the sons of Oholivamah, the daughter of 'Anah the daughter of Tziv'on, 'Esav's wife: she bore to 'Esav Ye'ush, Ya'lam and Korach.
15
The chieftains of the sons of 'Esav were the sons of Elifaz the firstborn of 'Esav and the chieftains of Teman, Omar, Tzefo, K'naz, ​
16
Korach, Ga'tam and 'Amalek. These were the chieftains descended from Elifaz in Edom and from 'Adah.
17
The sons of Re'u'el 'Esav's son were the chieftains of Nachat, Zerach, Shammah and Mizah. These were the chieftains descended from Re'u'el in the land of Edom and from Basmat 'Esav's wife.
18
The sons of Oholivamah 'Esav's wife were the chieftains of Ye'ush, Ya'lam and Korach. These were the chieftains descended from Oholivamah the daughter of 'Anah, 'Esav's wife.
19
These were the descendants of 'Esav (that is, Edom), and these were their chieftains.

The Descendants of Seir the Horite

20
These were the descendants of Se'ir the Hori, the local inhabitants: Lotan, Shoval, Tziv'on, 'Anah, ​
21
Dishon, Etzer and Dishan. They were the chieftains descended from the Hori, the people of Se'ir in the land of Edom.
22
The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; Lotan's sister was Timnah. ​
23
The sons of Shoval were 'Alvan, Manachat, 'Eival, Sh'fo and Onam.
24
The sons of Tziv'on were Ayah and 'Anah. This is the 'Anah who found the hot springs in the desert while pasturing his father Tziv'on's donkeys. ​
25
The children of 'Anah were Dishon and Oholivamah the daughter of 'Anah.
26
The sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Yitran and K'ran.
27
The sons of Etzer were Bilhan, Za'avan and 'Akan.
28
The sons of Dishan were 'Utz and Aran.
29
These were the chieftains descended from the Hori: the chieftains of Lotan, Shoval, Tziv'on, 'Anah,
30
Dishon, Etzer and Dishan. They were the chieftains descended from the Hori by their clans in Se'ir.

The Early Kings of Edom

31
Following are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king had reigned over the people of Isra'el. ​
32
Bela the son of B'or reigned in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhavah.
33
When Bela died, Yovav the son of Zerach from Botzrah reigned in his place.
34
When Yovav died, Husham from the land of the Temani reigned in his place.
35
When Husham died, Hadad the son of B'dad, who killed Midyan in the field of Mo'av, reigned in his place; the name of his city was 'Avit. ​
36
When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
37
When Samlah died, Sha'ul of Rechovot-by-the-River reigned in his place.
38
When Sha'ul died, Ba'al-Chanan the son of 'Akhbor reigned in his place.
39
When Ba'al-Chanan died, Hadar reigned in his place; the name of his city was Pa'u; and his wife's name was M'heitav'el the daughter of Matred the daughter of Mei-Zahav. ​

The Dukes of Edom by Territory

40
These are the names of the chieftains descended from 'Esav, according to their clans, places and names: the chieftains of Timna, 'Alvah, Y'tet, ​
41
Oholivamah, Elah, Pinon,
42
Kenaz, Teman, Mivtzar,
43
Magdi'el and 'Iram. These were the chieftains of Edom according to their settlements in the land they owned. This is 'Esav the father of Edom. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 36

Verse 1

This chapter, a *toledot* (generations) record, concludes the narrative concerning Esau, establishing his lineage as the separate nation of Edom.

Verse 2

Esau's choice of wives from Canaanite groups contrasts sharply with Jacob's adherence to his parents' wishes to marry within their extended Mesopotamian family, reflecting a difference in commitment to the covenant community.

Verse 7

The separation due to vast wealth and insufficient land mirrors the earlier separation of Abraham and Lot (Gen 13:6), confirming that the divine promise requires distinct territories for Jacob and Esau.

Verse 9

This section details the lineage after the relocation to Mount Seir, confirming Esau’s status as the 'father of the Edomites' and emphasizing the establishment of a settled society.

Verse 12

Amalek’s inclusion here is highly significant, as the Amalekites would later become the persistent, divinely condemned enemy of Israel (Exod 17:8–16; Num 24:20).

Verse 15

The term 'duke' (Hebrew: *alluph*) describes a foundational tribal chief or clan leader, indicating an early stage of political organization based on kinship rather than centralized monarchy.

Verse 20

This genealogy lists the indigenous inhabitants of Mount Seir whom the Edomites displaced or incorporated, providing essential historical context for the settlement of the region.

Verse 22

The mention of Timna (v. 12, 22) shows a connection between the Horite lineage and Esau's family, suggesting intermarriage and integration between the conquering Edomites and the native population.

Verse 24

The parenthetical note regarding Anah finding the *yemim* (often translated 'mules' or 'hot springs') suggests a notable historical event, demonstrating the detail preserved in these ancient records.

Verse 31

This list of sequential kings is crucial, as the introductory statement ('before there reigned any king over the children of Israel') places Edomite political organization earlier than Israel's monarchy, likely an editorial insertion.

Verse 35

Hadad’s military action against Midian confirms that Edom was an established, militarily active state capable of regional conflicts long before the Exodus.

Verse 39

The list records eight kings ruling sequentially, indicating a period of centralized monarchy before the system appears to revert back to the tribal chief structure (dukes) described in the final section.

Verse 40

This final list returns to the system of 'dukes' (*alluph*). These dukes likely represent regional governors or clan chiefs holding power simultaneously, marking a shift from the earlier centralized kingship.

Verse 43

This concluding statement formally seals the genealogical account of Esau/Edom, ensuring the separation and distinct identity of the two nations are fully documented before the narrative shifts back to Jacob.

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