Genesis 36:17

And these [are] the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these [are] the dukes [that came] of Reuel in the land of Edom; these [are] the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

And these are the sons {H1121} of Reuel {H7467} Esau's {H6215} son {H1121}; duke {H441} Nahath {H5184}, duke {H441} Zerah {H2226}, duke {H441} Shammah {H8048}, duke {H441} Mizzah {H4199}: these are the dukes {H441} that came of Reuel {H7467} in the land {H776} of Edom {H123}; these are the sons {H1121} of Bashemath {H1315} Esau's {H6215} wife {H802}.

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.

These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these are the chiefs that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

Commentary

Genesis 36:17 is part of a detailed genealogy listing the descendants of Esau, who is also known as Edom. This specific verse names the tribal leaders, or "dukes," who descended from Reuel, one of Esau's sons through his wife Bashemath.

Context

Chapter 36 of Genesis is dedicated entirely to tracing the lineage of Esau and the development of the nation of Edom in the hill country of Seir. This stands in contrast to the preceding chapters which focus on Jacob's family, the progenitors of Israel. Verse 17 specifically lists the sons of Reuel, son of Esau and Bashemath (see Genesis 36:4), highlighting their status as tribal leaders within the nascent Edomite society. This genealogical record serves to show the fulfillment of God's promise that Esau would also become a great nation, distinct from Jacob's descendants.

Key Themes

  • Lineage and Genealogy: The verse is primarily a record of lineage, emphasizing the family structure and descent of Esau's branch.
  • Formation of Edom: It contributes to the broader picture of how the Edomite nation, ruled by tribal chiefs ("dukes") before kings, was established and organized in the land of Seir.
  • Tribal Leadership: The mention of "dukes" (alluphim) indicates the early form of governance within Edom, where tribal heads held authority.

Linguistic Insights

The word translated "duke" in the King James Version is the Hebrew term alluph (אַלּוּף). It signifies a tribal chief or leader, distinct from a king (melek). This term is used repeatedly in Genesis 36 to describe the early rulers of Edom, indicating a tribal system before the establishment of monarchy, as later mentioned in Genesis 36:31.

Significance and Reflection

While a list of names might seem dry, this verse, within its chapter, holds significant historical and theological weight. It underscores the biblical narrative's interest in the origins and relationships of surrounding nations, particularly those related to Israel. The distinct listing of Esau's descendants and their leaders in Edom provides essential background for understanding the future interactions and conflicts between Israel and Edom (see Numbers 20:14-21). It shows God's sovereign hand in bringing about the distinct destinies of both Jacob and Esau, as prophesied before their birth (Genesis 25:23), even for those not in the direct line of the covenant promise leading to Christ.

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

  • Genesis 36:13 (3 votes)

    And these [are] the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

  • 1 Chronicles 1:37 (3 votes)

    The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

  • Genesis 36:4 (2 votes)

    And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;