2 Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite- 3 also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, 5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in Canaan.
6 Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household, as well as his livestock and all his other animals and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan, and moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob. 7 Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock. 8 So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.
Genesis 36:1-8
Explanation:
In this chapter
we have an account of the posterity of Esau,
who, from him, were called Edomites, that
Esau who sold his birthright, and lost his
blessing, and was not loved of God as Jacob
was. Here is a brief register kept of his
family for some generations. 1. Because he
was the son of Isaac, for whose sake this
honour is put upon him. 2. Because the
Edomites were neighbours to Israel, and
their genealogy would be of use to give
light to the following stories of what
passed between them. 3. It is to show the
performance of the promise to Abraham, that
he should be "the father of many nations,’’
and of that answer which Rebekah had from
the oracle she consulted, "Two nations are
in thy womb,’’ and of the blessing of Isaac,
"Thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the
earth.’’ We have here, I. Esau’s wives (v.
1-5). II. His remove to mount Seir (v. 6-8).
III. The names of his sons (v. 9–14). IV.
The dukes who descended of his sons (v.
15–19). V. The dukes of the Horites (v.
20–30). VI. The kings and dukes of Edom (v.
31–43). Little more is recorded than their
names, because the history of those that
were out of the church (though perhaps it
might have been serviceable in politics)
would have been of little use in divinity.
It is in the church that the memorable
instances are found of special grace, and
special providence; for that is the
enclosure, the rest is common. This chapter
is abridged, 1 Chr. 1:35, etc.
Observe here, 1. Concerning Esau himself, v. 1. He is called Edom (and
again, v. 8), that name by which was
perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish
bargain he made, when he sold his birthright
for that red, that red pottage. The very
mention of that name is enough to intimate
the reason why his family is turned off with
such a short account. Note, If men do a
wrong thing they must thank themselves, when
it is, long afterwards, remembered against
them to their reproach. 2. Concerning his
wives, and the children they bore him in the
land of Canaan. He had three wives, and, by
them all, but five sons: many a one has more
by one wife. God in his providence often
disappoints those who take indirect courses
to build up a family; yet here the promise
prevailed, and Esau’s family was built up.
3. Concerning his removal to mount Seir,
which was the country God had given him for
a possession, when he reserved Canaan for
the seed of Jacob. God owns it, long
afterwards: I gave to Esau mount Seir (Deu.
2:5; Jos. 24:4), which was the reason why
the Edomites must not be disturbed in their
possession. Those that have not a right by
promise, such as Jacob had, to Canaan, may
have a very good title by providence to
their estates, such as Esau had to mount
Seir. Esau had begun to settle among his
wives’ relations, in Seir, before Jacob came
from Padan-aram, ch. 32:3. Isaac, it is
likely, had sent him thither (as Abraham in
his life-time had sent the sons of the
concubines from Isaac his son into the east
country, ch. 25:6), that Jacob might have
the clearer way made for him to the
possession of the promised land. During the
life of Isaac, however, Esau had probably
still some effects remaining in Canaan; but,
after his death, he wholly withdrew to mount
Seir, took with him what came to his share
of his father’s personal estate, and left
Canaan to Jacob, not only because he had the
promise of it, but because Esau perceived
that if they should continue to thrive as
they had begun there would not be room for
both. Thus dwelt Esau in Mount Seir, v. 8.
Note, Whatever opposition may be made, God’s
word will be accomplished, and even those
that have opposed it will see themselves,
some time or other, under a necessity of
yielding to it, and acquiescing in it. Esau
had struggled for Canaan, but now he tamely
retires to mount Seir; for God’s counsels
shall certainly stand, concerning the times
before appointed, and the bounds of our
habitation.
10
These are the names of Esau's sons:
Eliphaz, the son of Esau's wife Adah, and
Reuel, the son of Esau's wife Basemath.
11
The sons of Eliphaz:
Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz.
12 Esau's son Eliphaz also had a concubine named Timna, who bore him Amalek. These were grandsons of Esau's wife Adah.
13
The sons of Reuel:
Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were
grandsons of Esau's wife Basemath.
14
The sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah
and granddaughter of Zibeon, whom she bore to Esau:
Jeush, Jalam and Korah.
15
These were the chiefs among Esau's descendants:
The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau:
Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
16 Korah,
Gatam and Amalek. These were the chiefs descended
from Eliphaz in Edom; they were grandsons of Adah.
17
The sons of Esau's son Reuel:
Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.
These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom;
they were grandsons of Esau's wife Basemath.
18
The sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah:
Chiefs Jeush, Jalam and Korah. These were the
chiefs descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah
daughter of Anah.
19 These were the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these were their chiefs.
20
These were the sons of Seir the Horite, who were
living in the region:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
21 Dishon,
Ezer and Dishan. These sons of Seir in Edom were
Horite chiefs.
22
The sons of Lotan:
Hori and Homam. Timna was Lotan's sister.
23
The sons of Shobal:
Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam.
24
The sons of Zibeon:
Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who
discovered the hot springs in the desert while he
was grazing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.
25
The children of Anah:
Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.
26
The sons of Dishon :
Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Keran.
27
The sons of Ezer:
Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan.
28
The sons of Dishan:
Uz and Aran.
29
These were the Horite chiefs:
Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,
30 Dishon,
Ezer and Dishan. These were the Horite chiefs,
according to their divisions, in the land of Seir.
Explanation:
9-19:
Observe here, 1. That only the names of Esau’s sons and grandsons are recorded, only their names, not their history; for it is the church that Moses preserves the records of, not the record of those that are without. Those elders that lived by faith alone obtained a good report. It is Sion that produces men of renown, not Seir, Ps. 87:5. Nor does the genealogy go any further than the third and fourth generation; the very names of all after are buried in oblivion. It is only the pedigree of the Israelites, who were to be the heirs of Canaan, and of whom were to come the promised seed, and the holy seed, that is drawn out to any length, as far as there was occasion for it, even of all the tribes till Canaan was divided among them, and of the royal line till Christ came. 2. That these sons and grandsons of Esau are called dukes, v. 15–19. Probably they were military commanders, dukes, or captains, that had soldiers under them; for Esau and his family lived by the sword, ch. 27:40. Note, Titles of honour have been more ancient out of the church than in it. Esau’s sons were dukes when Jacob’s sons were but plain shepherds, ch. 47:3. This is not a reason why such titles should not be used among Christians; but it is a reason why men should not overvalue themselves, or others, for the sake of them. There is an honour that comes from God, and a name in his house that is infinitely more valuable. Edomites may be dukes with men, but Israelites indeed are made to our God kings and priests. 3. We may suppose those dukes had numerous families of children and servants that were their dukedoms. God promised to multiply Jacob, and to enrich him; yet Esau increases, and is enriched first. Note, It is no new thing for the men of this world to be full of children, and to have their bellies too filled with hidden treasures, Ps. 17:14. God’s promise to Jacob began to work late, but the effect of it remained longer, and it had its complete accomplishment in the spiritual Israel.
20-30:
In the midst of this genealogy of the Edomites here is inserted the genealogy of the Horites, those Canaanites, or Hittites (compare ch. 26:34), that were the natives of Mount Seir. Mention is made of them, ch. 14:6, and of their interest in Mount Seir, before the Edomites took possession of it, Deu. 2:12, 22. This comes in here, not only to give light to the story, but to be a standing reflection upon the Edomites for intermarrying with them, by which, it is probable, they learned their way, and corrupted themselves. Esau having sold his birthright, and lost his blessing, and entered into alliance with the Hittites, his posterity and the sons of Seir are here reckoned together. Note, Those that treacherously desert God’s church are justly numbered with those that were never in it; apostate Edomites stand on the same ground with accursed Horites. Particular notice is taken of one Anah who fed the asses of Zibeon his father (v. 24), and yet is called duke Anah, v. 29. Note, Those that expect to rise high should begin low. An honourable descent should not keep men from an honest employment, nor a mean employment hinder any man’s preferment. This Anah was not only industrious in his business, but ingenious too, and successful; for he found mules, or (as some read it) waters, hot-baths, in the wilderness. Those that are diligent in their business sometimes find more advantages than they expected.
32 Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.
33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.
34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.
36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.
37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king.
38 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Acbor succeeded him as king.
39 When Baal-Hanan son of Acbor died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.
40
These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name,
according to their clans and regions:
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
41
Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,
42 Kenaz,
Teman, Mibzar, 43
Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom,
according to their settlements in the land they
occupied.
This was Esau the father of the Edomites.
Explanation:
By degrees, it seems, the Edomites wormed out the Horites, obtained full possession of the country, and had a government of their own. 1. They were ruled by kings, who governed the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election, and not by lineal descent; so bishop Patrick observes. These kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, that is, before Moses’s time, for he was king in Jeshurun, v. 3. God had lately promised Jacob that kings should come out of his loins (ch. 35:11), yet Esau’s blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob’s did. Note, In external prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often cast behind, and those that are out of covenant get the start. The triumphing of the wicked may be quick, but it is short; soon ripe, and as soon rotten: but the products of the promise, though they are slow, are sure and lasting; at the end it shall speak, and not lie. We may suppose it was a great trial to the faith of God’s Israel to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them; God’s time is the best time. 2. They were afterwards governed by dukes, again here named, who, I suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the country. Either they set up this form of government in conformity to the Horites, who had used it (v. 29), or God’s providence reduced them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their unkindness to Israel, in refusing them a passage though their country, Num. 20:18. Note, When power is abused, it is just with God to weaken it, by turning it into divers channels. For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof. Sin brought Edom from kings to dukes, from crowns to coronets. We read of the dukes of Edom (Ex. 15:15), yet, long afterwards, of their kings again. 3. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession, v. 43. While the Israelites dwelt in the house of bondage, and their Canaan was only the land of promise, the Edomites dwelt in their own habitations, and Seir was in their possession. Note, The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope (Lu. 16:25); while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is better to have Canaan in promise than mount Seir in possession.