Genesis 36:33

And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

And Bela {H1106} died {H4191}, and Jobab {H3103} the son {H1121} of Zerah {H2226} of Bozrah {H1224} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

When Bela died, Yovav the son of Zerach from Botzrah reigned in his place.

When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.

And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

Commentary

Context of Genesis 36:33

Genesis chapter 36 provides a detailed genealogy of Esau, also known as Edom, chronicling his descendants and the various chiefs and kings who ruled over the land of Edom. This particular verse, Genesis 36:33, marks a moment of succession in the Edomite monarchy, stating that King Bela died and was succeeded by Jobab. The chapter's inclusion of these kings is significant because it explicitly notes they reigned "before there reigned any king over the children of Israel" (Genesis 36:31), highlighting the early establishment of a structured kingdom among Esau's lineage. Jobab is further identified as the son of Zerah, originating from the city of Bozrah, a significant Edomite stronghold.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Succession and Continuity: The verse simply and directly illustrates the natural process of succession in ancient monarchies. It emphasizes the continuity of the Edomite kingdom through generations, detailing the transfer of power from Bela to Jobab, ensuring the stability of their rule.
  • Genealogical Significance: This verse contributes to the meticulous biblical record of lineages, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that nations would come from him (Genesis 17:6). This promise extended to his grandson Esau, whose descendants formed the established nation of Edom, complete with its own royal line.
  • Historical Record: Beyond spiritual themes, the passage serves as a vital historical document, outlining the early political structure and significant figures of a nation that would frequently interact, sometimes contentiously, with the future nation of Israel. The mention of Jobab's origin from Bozrah points to the prominence of that city within the Edomite territories.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "reigned in his stead" (KJV) is a common Hebrew idiom, vayiymloch tachtav (ื•ึทื™ึดึผืžึฐืœึนืšึฐ ืชึทึผื—ึฐืชึธึผื™ื•), literally meaning "and he reigned under him" or "in his place." It's a straightforward expression for royal succession, indicating that Jobab took over the throne after Bela's death without detailing the specific circumstances of the transfer of power.

Practical Application

While seemingly a dry genealogical record, Genesis 36:33 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: Even in detailing the lineage and succession of kings for a nation often adversarial to Israel, the Bible demonstrates God's overarching plan and control over all nations and their rulers, whether they acknowledge Him or not.
  • The Importance of Records: The meticulous nature of biblical genealogies, even for non-Israelite peoples, underscores the importance of historical accuracy and the unfolding of divine purpose through time and generations. Every detail, no matter how small, plays a part in the larger biblical narrative.
  • Life's Transience: The simple statement "And Bela died" serves as a subtle reminder of the brevity of life and the inevitability of death, which is consistently followed by new leadership and the continuation of history.
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

  • Jeremiah 49:13

    For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.

  • Jeremiah 49:22

    Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

  • Isaiah 63:1

    ยถ Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

  • Isaiah 34:6

    The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

  • Micah 2:12

    ยถ I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of [the multitude of] men.

  • Amos 1:12

    But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.
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