Genesis 36:39

And Baalhanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Pau; and his wife's name [was] Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

And Baalhanan {H1177} the son {H1121} of Achbor {H5907} died {H4191}, and Hadar {H1924} reigned {H4427} in his stead: and the name {H8034} of his city {H5892} was Pau {H6464}; and his wife's {H802} name {H8034} was Mehetabel {H4105}, the daughter {H1323} of Matred {H4308}, the daughter {H1323} of Mezahab {H4314}.

When Ba'al-Chanan died, Hadar reigned in his place; the name of his city was Pa'u; and his wife's name was M'heitav'el the daughter of Matred the daughter of Mei-Zahav.

When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

Commentary

Context of Genesis 36:39

Genesis chapter 36 is primarily a detailed genealogy of Esau, also known as Edom, and his descendants. This chapter meticulously lists his wives, sons, grandsons, and the chiefs and kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel. Verse 39, specifically, marks the end of a list of Edomite kings who reigned successively, highlighting the passing of Baalhanan and the ascension of Hadar, along with details about his city and wife. This genealogical record serves to show the fulfillment of God's promise of multiplying descendants, even through Esau, and to distinguish the lineage of Edom from that of Jacob (Israel).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Genealogical Record and Historical Accuracy: This verse, like the entire chapter, underscores the Bible's commitment to detailed historical and genealogical records. It provides verifiable lineage and succession, grounding the biblical narrative in real historical progression.
  • Fulfillment of God's Promises: The extensive list of Esau's descendants and the rise of the Edomite kingdom illustrate God's faithfulness to His word. Though Esau was not in the direct line of the covenant promise that continued through Jacob, God had still promised to make him a great nation (Genesis 17:6, Genesis 25:23). This chapter confirms that promise was indeed fulfilled.
  • Succession and Transience of Earthly Power: The recurring phrase "died, and reigned in his stead" emphasizes the cyclical nature of human leadership and the temporary tenure of earthly power. Kings rise and fall, but God's overarching plan remains constant.

Linguistic Insights

The names themselves often carry meaning in Hebrew, though their primary function here is identification:

  • Baalhanan: This name means "Baal is gracious" or "Baal has shown grace." Its presence among Edomite kings indicates the influence of pagan deities (like Baal) in the region, even early in its history, contrasting with the worship of the one true God among the Israelites.
  • Hadar: Meaning "honor" or "splendor."
  • Mehetabel: Meaning "God benefits" or "God makes good." It's interesting to note a name invoking God (El) within this Edomite context, perhaps showing some residual knowledge or influence of the Abrahamic God, or simply a common linguistic element.
  • Pau: The name of Hadar's city. While its exact location is debated, it was likely in the Edomite territory, possibly near the Dead Sea.

Significance and Reflection

While Genesis 36:39 may seem like a mere historical footnote, it holds several layers of significance:

  • Completeness of Scripture: It demonstrates the Bible's comprehensive scope, documenting not only the chosen line of Israel but also the parallel development of other nations, which would later interact with Israel. This provides a fuller historical backdrop for future narratives.
  • God's Sovereignty Over All Nations: The meticulous listing of Edomite kings, their cities, and their wives, even before Israel had its own monarchy, subtly highlights God's sovereign hand in the affairs of all nations, not just His covenant people. He ordains the rise and fall of kingdoms according to His divine purpose.
  • Foundation for Future Interactions: The establishment of the Edomite kingdom here sets the stage for the complex and often adversarial relationship between Israel and Edom in later biblical history, such as during the Exodus (Numbers 20:14-21) and the prophetic warnings against Edom in books like Obadiah.
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

  • 1 Chronicles 1:50 (2 votes)

    And when Baalhanan was dead, Hadad reigned in his stead: and the name of his city [was] Pai; and his wife's name [was] Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

  • Exodus 15:15 (2 votes)

    Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.