Genesis 36:8

Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau [is] Edom.

Thus dwelt {H3427} Esau {H6215} in mount {H2022} Seir {H8165}: Esau {H6215} is Edom {H123}.

So 'Esav lived in the hill-country of Se'ir. ('Esav is Edom.)

So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.

And Esau dwelt in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

Commentary

Genesis 36:8 marks a pivotal summary in the lineage of Esau, the elder twin brother of Jacob. This verse concisely states Esau's established dwelling place and formalizes the identity of his descendants, laying the groundwork for the nation of Edom.

Context

This verse appears within Genesis chapter 36, which is dedicated entirely to the generations of Esau, also called Edom. Following the reconciliation and subsequent parting of Jacob and Esau after their long separation (Genesis 33:16), Esau moved to Mount Seir. This chapter serves to delineate the family line of Esau, distinct from that of Jacob (Israel), emphasizing God's meticulous attention to the origins of nations and peoples mentioned throughout biblical history. It shows the fulfillment of the prophecy given to Rebekah that two nations would come from her womb, with the elder serving the younger.

Key Themes

  • National Identity: The verse explicitly identifies Esau as Edom, establishing the origin of the Edomite nation. This clarifies the relationship between the individual Esau and the people who descended from him.
  • Geographical Settlement: It pinpoints Mount Seir as the ancestral land of the Edomites, a mountainous region south of the Dead Sea, which remained their territory throughout Old Testament history.
  • Fulfillment of Divine Plan: The separation and distinct settlement of Esau from Jacob reflect God's sovereign plan to develop two separate, albeit related, peoples.

Linguistic Insights

The core of this verse lies in the identity statement: "Esau [is] Edom."

  • Esau (ืขึตืฉึธื‚ื• - Esaw): This Hebrew name likely means "hairy" or "hairy one," reflecting his physical description at birth (Genesis 25:25).
  • Edom (ืึฑื“ื•ึนื - Edom): This name means "red." It is directly linked to the incident where Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of red pottage (Genesis 25:30). The land of Seir itself is characterized by reddish sandstone, further associating the name with the region. The verse solidifies the connection between Esau's personal characteristic/event and the name of his nation.
  • Mount Seir: The geographical location chosen by Esau, a rugged and often reddish-hued mountainous area, fittingly becomes the stronghold of the "red" people.

Significance and Application

Genesis 36:8 is more than just a genealogical note; it is foundational for understanding later biblical narratives. It highlights:

  • God's Orchestration of Nations: Even outside the direct covenant line of Jacob, God oversees the formation and settlement of peoples. The distinct paths of Esau and Jacob underscore God's sovereignty in guiding human history.
  • Consequences of Choices: Esau's disregard for his birthright, symbolized by the name "Edom" (red, from the pottage), ultimately led to a separate destiny for his descendants, distinct from the covenant blessings promised to Jacob's line.
  • Historical Background: This verse provides crucial background for understanding the complex and often adversarial relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites throughout the Old Testament, as seen in books like Numbers 20:14-21 and the book of Obadiah.

Ultimately, this verse reminds us that God's plan unfolds through distinct families and nations, each with its own history and significance within His overarching narrative.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 32:3 (6 votes)

    ยถ And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

  • Malachi 1:3 (4 votes)

    And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

  • Ezekiel 35:2 (3 votes)

    Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,

  • Ezekiel 35:7 (3 votes)

    Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth.

  • Joshua 24:4 (2 votes)

    And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau: and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it; but Jacob and his children went down into Egypt.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:23 (2 votes)

    For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy [them]: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

  • Deuteronomy 2:5 (2 votes)

    Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau [for] a possession.