Genesis 36:12

And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these [were] the sons of Adah Esau's wife.

And Timna {H8555} was concubine {H6370} to Eliphaz {H464} Esau's {H6215} son {H1121}; and she bare {H3205} to Eliphaz {H464} Amalek {H6002}: these were the sons {H1121} of Adah {H5711} Esau's {H6215} wife {H802}.

Timnah was the concubine of Elifaz 'Esav's son, and she bore to Elifaz 'Amalek. These were the descendants of 'Adah 'Esav's wife.

Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah.

And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these are the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife.

Commentary

Context

Genesis chapter 36 provides an extensive genealogy of Esau, also known as Edom, detailing his wives, children, and the "dukes" or chiefs who descended from him. This chapter serves as a bridge, showing the lineage of Israel's brother nation, the Edomites, before the narrative fully focuses on Jacob's descendants. Verse 12 specifically introduces a crucial figure, Amalek, the son of Eliphaz (Esau's firstborn) through his concubine, Timna. This seemingly minor detail is profoundly significant for future biblical history, as the Amalekites would become persistent enemies of Israel.

Key Themes

  • The Importance of Lineage: The Bible places great emphasis on genealogies, not just for historical record but also to trace the fulfillment of God's promises and to understand the origins of nations and their subsequent interactions. This verse highlights the beginnings of a people group, the Amalekites, whose story intertwines deeply with that of Israel.
  • Origins of Conflict: The birth of Amalek, though presented simply here, marks the starting point of a deeply rooted and long-standing antagonism between the Amalekites and the Israelites. Their very existence, recorded in this genealogy, foreshadows future divine commands and historical clashes.
  • Complex Family Structures: The mention of Timna as a "concubine" (Hebrew: pilgesh) to Eliphaz reflects the social norms of the patriarchal period, where concubines were recognized secondary wives who could bear legitimate heirs, though of a different status than primary wives. This practice contributed to the diverse and often complex family trees that formed ancient nations.

Linguistic Insights

The term "duke" used in the KJV for the descendants of Esau (including those of Eliphaz) comes from the Hebrew word alluwph (אַלּוּף). This word means "chief," "leader," or "head of a thousand," indicating a tribal or clan leader. It emphasizes the emergence of organized tribal structures among the Edomites, signifying their development as a distinct and powerful nation.

Related Scriptures

The significance of Amalek, first mentioned here, becomes starkly clear in later biblical narratives:

  • The Amalekites were the first nation to attack Israel after their exodus from Egypt, prompting God's declaration of perpetual war against them (Exodus 17:8-16).
  • God commanded Israel to utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
  • King Saul's disobedience in sparing the Amalekite king Agag and their livestock led to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:1-35).
  • Even in the book of Esther, Haman, the antagonist, is identified as an Agagite, a descendant of the Amalekite king Agag, continuing the ancient animosity (Esther 3:1).

Practical Application

Genesis 36:12 reminds us that seemingly minor details in biblical genealogies can carry immense prophetic and historical weight. It teaches us that:

  • Every detail matters in God's plan: The inclusion of Amalek's birth in this genealogy, even from a concubine, highlights God's meticulous record-keeping and foresight in the unfolding of history.
  • The seeds of conflict are often sown early: Understanding the origins of nations and their relationships helps to comprehend later historical events and divine judgments.
  • God's word is interconnected: This verse serves as a crucial foundational point for understanding significant narratives that occur thousands of years later, demonstrating the unity and coherence of the biblical story.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 25:17

    Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;

  • Deuteronomy 25:19

    Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].

  • Exodus 17:8

    ¶ Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

  • Exodus 17:16

    For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn [that] the LORD [will have] war with Amalek from generation to generation.

  • Numbers 24:18

    And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly.

  • Numbers 24:20

    And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek [was] the first of the nations; but his latter end [shall be] that he perish for ever.

  • Genesis 14:7

    And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
← Back