31 And these are the kings H4428 that reigned H4427 in the land H776 of Edom, H123 before H6440 there reigned H4427 any king H4428 over the children H1121 of Israel. H3478
32 And Bela H1106 the son H1121 of Beor H1160 reigned H4427 in Edom: H123 and the name H8034 of his city H5892 was Dinhabah. H1838
33 And Bela H1106 died, H4191 and Jobab H3103 the son H1121 of Zerah H2226 of Bozrah H1224 reigned H4427 in his stead.
34 And Jobab H3103 died, H4191 and Husham H2367 of the land H776 of Temani H8489 reigned H4427 in his stead.
35 And Husham H2367 died, H4191 and Hadad H1908 the son H1121 of Bedad, H911 who smote H5221 Midian H4080 in the field H7704 of Moab, H4124 reigned H4427 in his stead: and the name H8034 of his city H5892 was Avith. H5762
36 And Hadad H1908 died, H4191 and Samlah H8072 of Masrekah H4957 reigned H4427 in his stead.
37 And Samlah H8072 died, H4191 and Saul H7586 of Rehoboth H7344 by the river H5104 reigned H4427 in his stead.
38 And Saul H7586 died, H4191 and Baalhanan H1177 the son H1121 of Achbor H5907 reigned H4427 in his stead.
39 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
40 And these are the names H8034 of the dukes H441 that came of Esau, H6215 according to their families, H4940 after their places, H4725 by their names; H8034 duke H441 Timnah, H8555 duke H441 Alvah, H5933 duke H441 Jetheth, H3509
41 Duke H441 Aholibamah, H173 duke H441 Elah, H425 duke H441 Pinon, H6373
42 Duke H441 Kenaz, H7073 duke H441 Teman, H8487 duke H441 Mibzar, H4014
43 Duke H441 Magdiel, H4025 duke H441 Iram: H5902 these be the dukes H441 of Edom, H123 according to their habitations H4186 in the land H776 of their possession: H272 he is Esau H6215 the father H1 of the Edomites. H123
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Genesis 36
Commentary on Genesis 36 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 36
Ge 36:1-43. Posterity of Esau.
1. these are the generations—history of the leading men and events (compare Ge 2:4).
Esau who is Edom—A name applied to him in reference to the peculiar color of his skin at birth [Ge 25:25], rendered more significant by his inordinate craving for the red pottage [Ge 25:30], and also by the fierce sanguinary character of his descendants (compare Eze 25:12; Ob 10).
2, 3. Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan—There were three, mentioned under different names; for it is evident that Bashemath is the same as Mahalath (Ge 28:9), since they both stand in the relation of daughter to Ishmael and sister to Nebajoth; and hence it may be inferred that Adah is the same as Judith, Aholibamah as Bathsemath (Ge 26:34). It was not unusual for women, in that early age, to have two names, as Sarai was also Iscah [Ge 11:29]; and this is the more probable in the case of Esau's wives, who of course would have to take new names when they went from Canaan to settle in mount Seir.
6, 7. Esau … went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob—literally, "a country," without any certain prospect of a settlement. The design of this historical sketch of Esau and his family is to show how the promise (Ge 27:39, 40) was fulfilled. In temporal prosperity he far exceeds his brother; and it is remarkable that, in the overruling providence of God, the vast increase of his worldly substance was the occasion of his leaving Canaan and thus making way for the return of Jacob.
8. Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir—This was divinely assigned as his possession (Jos 24:4; De 2:5).
15-19. dukes—The Edomites, like the Israelites, were divided into tribes, which took their names from his sons. The head of each tribe was called by a term which in our version is rendered "duke"—not of the high rank and wealth of a British peer, but like the sheiks or emirs of the modern East, or the chieftains of highland clans. Fourteen are mentioned who flourished contemporaneously.
20-30. Sons of Seir, the Horite—native dukes, who were incorporated with those of the Edomite race.
24. This was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness—The word "mules" is, in several ancient versions, rendered "water springs"; and this discovery of some remarkable fountain was sufficient, among a wandering or pastoral people, to entitle him to such a distinguishing notice.
31-39. kings of Edom—The royal power was not built on the ruins of the dukedoms, but existed at the same time.
40-43. Recapitulation of the dukes according to their residences.