Genesis 36:3

And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

And Bashemath {H1315} Ishmael's {H3458} daughter {H1323}, sister {H269} of Nebajoth {H5032}.

and Basmat Yishma'el's daughter, sister of N'vayot.

and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

and Basemath Ishmaelโ€™s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

Commentary

Genesis 36:3 introduces one of Esau's wives, Bashemath, clarifying her lineage as the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebajoth. This verse is part of a detailed genealogical record of Esau's descendants, who would become the Edomites.

Context

Chapter 36 of Genesis is dedicated to listing the family of Esau, also known as Edom, the twin brother of Jacob. It details his wives, sons, and the chiefs of Edom. This particular verse specifies Bashemath's identity, distinguishing her from another Bashemath mentioned in Genesis 26:34, who was a Hittite. This Bashemath is clearly identified as a descendant of Abraham through his son Ishmael, thereby highlighting the intermarriage and familial ties between the lines of Isaac (through Esau) and Ishmael.

Key Themes

  • Genealogy and Lineage: The verse underscores the Bible's emphasis on meticulous genealogical records, which were crucial for establishing identity, inheritance, and the fulfillment of God's promises. It helps trace the origins of nations.
  • Intermarriage and Alliance: It illustrates the intermingling of the early patriarchal families. Esau's marriage to Ishmael's daughter signifies a connection between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael, both sons of Abraham.
  • Historical Record: This precise identification serves to maintain accurate historical and familial accounts, which are foundational to understanding the later interactions between Israel (Jacob's descendants) and Edom (Esau's descendants), and the Ishmaelites.

Linguistic Insights

The name Bashemath (Hebrew: ื‘ึผึธืฉื‚ึฐืžึทืช, Basemath) means "fragrance" or "spice." Her father, Ishmael (ื™ึดืฉืึฐืžึธืขึตืืœ, Yishmael), means "God hears," reflecting God's attention to Hagar's distress (Genesis 16:11). Nebajoth (ื ึฐื‘ึธื™ื•ึนืช, Nevayoth) was Ishmael's firstborn son (Genesis 25:13) and a significant tribal ancestor among the Ishmaelites.

Reflection and Application

While seemingly a simple record, this verse reminds us that every detail in Scripture is significant. It highlights God's sovereignty over the formation of nations and the intricate web of human relationships. For modern readers, it reinforces the importance of understanding our own heritage and how past connections influence present realities. It also points to the broader narrative of God's faithfulness in multiplying the descendants of Abraham, both through Isaac and Ishmael, as promised.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 28:9

    Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

  • Genesis 25:13

    And these [are] the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,
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