1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.

2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

3 And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

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

5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.

6 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.

7 For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

9 And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:

10 These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.

11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.

12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.

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

14 And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bare to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

15 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,

16 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

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.

18 And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.

19 These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes.

20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,

21 And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.

22 And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna.

23 And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.

24 And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.

25 And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.

26 And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.

27 The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.

28 The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran.

29 These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,

30 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.

31 And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

33 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.

35 And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

36 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

37 And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.

38 And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

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.

40 And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,

41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,

42 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,

43 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites.

Commentary

Verse 1

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Who is Edom - That name perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish bargain he made, when he sold his birth - right for that red pottage.
John Calvin Bible Commentary
Now these are the generations of Esau. Though Esau was an alien from the Church in the sight of God; yet since he also, as a son of Isaac, was favored with a temporal blessing, Moses celebrates his race, and inscribes a sufficiently lengthened catalogue of the people born from him. This commemoration, however, resembles an honorable sepulture. For although Esau, with his posterity, took the precedence; yet this dignity was like a bubble, which is comprised under the figure of the world, and which quickly perishes. As, therefore, it has been before said of other profane nations, so now Esau is exalted as on a lofty theater. But since there is no permanent condition out of the kingdom of God, the splendor attributed to him is evanescent, and the whole of his pomp departs like the passing scene of the stage. The Holy Spirit designed, indeed, to testify that the prophecy which Isaac uttered concerning Esau was not vain; but he has no sooner shown its effect, than he turns away our eyes, as if he had cast a veil over it, that we may confine our attention to the race of Jacob. Now, though Esau had children by three wives, in whom afterwards the blessing of God shone forth, yet polygamy is not, on that account, approved, nor the impure lust of man excused: but in this the goodness of God is rather to be admired, which, contrary to the order of nature, gave a good issue to evil beginnings.
McArther Bible Commentary
The taking up of "the history of Jacob" (Gen 37:2), the next patriarch, is preceded by a fairly detailed genealogy of Esau, to which is appended both the genealogy of Seir the Horite, whose descendants were the contemporary inhabitants of Edom and a listing of Edomite kings and chiefs. Jacob's and Esau's posterities, as history would go on to show, would not be in isolation from each other as originally intended (Gen 36:6-8). They were to become bitter enemies engaged with each other in war.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 25:30 Genesis 36:8

Verse 2

Bible Cross References
Genesis 26:34 Genesis 28:9 Genesis 36:3 Genesis 36:14 Genesis 36:24 Genesis 36:25

Verse 3

Bible Cross References
Genesis 25:13 Genesis 26:34 Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:4

Verse 4

Bible Cross References
Genesis 26:34 Genesis 36:3 Genesis 36:5 1 Chronicles 1:35

Verse 5

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:4 Genesis 36:6 Genesis 36:14 Genesis 36:18 1 Chronicles 1:35

Verse 6

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Esau had begun to settle among his wife's relations in Seir, before Jacob came from Padan - aram, (Genesis 32:3) . Isaac it is likely, had sent him thither, that Jacob might have the clearer way to the possession of the promised land: yet probably during the life of Isaac, Esau had 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 he saw, if they should both continue to thrive, as they had begun, there would not be room for both.
John Calvin Bible Commentary
And went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. Moses does not mean that Esau departed purposely to give place to his brother; for he was so proud and ferocious, that he never would have allowed himself to seem his brother’s inferior. But Moses, without regard to Esau’s design, commends the secret providence of God, by which he was driven into exile, that the possession of the land might remain free for Jacob alone. Esau removed to Mount Seir, through the desire of present advantage, as is elsewhere stated. Nothing was less in his mind than to provide for his brother’s welfare; but God directed the blind man by his own hand, that he might not occupy that place in the land which he had appointed for his own servant. Thus it often happens that the wicked do good to the elect children of God, contrary to their own intention; and while their hasty cupidity pants for present advantages, they promote the eternal salvation of those whose destruction they have sometimes desired. Let us, then, learn from the passage before us, to see, by the eyes of faith, both in accidental circumstances (as they are called) and in the evil desires of men, that secret providence of God, which directs all events to a result predetermined by himself. For when Esau went forth, that he might live more commodiously apart from his father’s family, he is said to have departed from the face of his brother, because the Lord had so determined it. It is stated indefinitely, that he departed “into the country;” because, being in uncertainty respecting his plan, he sought a home in various places, until Mount Seir presented itself; and as we say, he went out at a venture.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 12:5 Genesis 36:5

Verse 7

McArther Bible Commentary
too great for them to dwell together. Crowded grazing and living conditions finally clinched the decision by Esau to move permanently to Edom, where he had already established a home (cf. Gen 32:3; Gen 33:14, Gen 33:16). Since it was Abraham's descendants through Isaac and Jacob who would possess the land, it was fitting for God to work out the circumstances, providentially keeping Jacob's lineage in the land and moving Esau's lineage out. It is not revealed if Esau had understood and came to accept the promises of God to Jacob, although his descendants surely sought to deny Israel any right to their land or their life.
Bible Cross References
Hebrews 11:9 Genesis 13:6 Genesis 17:8 1 Chronicles 29:15 Psalm 39:12 Jeremiah 35:7

Verse 8

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir - Whatever opposition may be made, God's word will take place, and even those that have opposed it will see themselves, some time or other, under a necessity of yielding to it. Esau had struggled for Canaan, but now he retires to mount Seir; for God's counsels shall certainly stand concerning the times before appointed, and the bounds of our habitation.
McArther Bible Commentary
Mount Seir. This was divinely assigned as Esau's place (Deu 2:5; Jos 24:4).
Bible Cross References
Genesis 32:3 Genesis 36:1 Genesis 36:9 Genesis 36:19 Deuteronomy 2:4 Deuteronomy 2:5 Deuteronomy 2:22 Joshua 24:4 1 Chronicles 4:42 Jeremiah 40:11 Ezekiel 35:2

Verse 9

John Calvin Bible Commentary
And these are the generations of Esau, the father of the EdomitesThough Esau had two names, yet in this place the second name refers to his posterity, who are called Idumeans. For, to make it appear what God had bestowed upon him for the sake of his father Isaac, Moses expressly calls him the father of a celebrated and famous people. And certainly, it served this purpose not a little, to trace the effect and fulfillment of the prophecy in the progeny of Esau. For if the promise of God so mightily flourished towards a stranger, how much more powerfully would it put itself forth towards the children, to whom pertaineth the adoption, and consequently the inheritance of grace? Esau was an obscure man, and a sojourner in that country: whence therefore is it, that suddenly rulers should spring from him, and a great body of people should flourish, unless because the benediction which proceeded from the mouth of Isaac, was confirmed by the result? For Esau did not reign in this desert without opposition; since a people of no ignoble name previously inhabited Mount Seir. On this account Moses relates that the men who had before inhabited that land were mighty: so that it would not have been easy for a stranger to acquire such power as Esau possessed, if he had not been divinely assisted.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 32:3 Genesis 36:8 Genesis 36:10 1 Chronicles 4:42

Verse 10

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
These are the names - Observe here, That only the names of Esau's sons and grand - sons are recorded: not their history, for it is the church that Moses preserves the records of, not of those that were without. The elders only that lived by faith obtained a good report. Nor doth the genealogy go any farther 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. That the sons and grand - sons of Esau are called dukes. Probably they were military commanders, dukes or captains that had soldiers under them; for Esau and his family lived by the sword, (Genesis 27:40) . We may suppose those dukes had numerous families of children and servants. God promised to multiply Jacob and to enrich him, yet Esau increases and is enriched first. God's promise to Jacob began to work late, but the effect of it remained longer, and it had its compleat accomplishment in the spiritual Israel.
McArther Bible Commentary
Cf. 1Ch 1:35-37.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 26:34 Genesis 36:4 Genesis 36:9 Genesis 36:11

Verse 11

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:10 Genesis 36:12 Genesis 36:15 1 Chronicles 1:36 Job 2:11 Jeremiah 49:7 Obadiah 1:9

Verse 12

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:11 Genesis 36:13 Exodus 17:8 Numbers 24:20 Deuteronomy 25:17 1 Samuel 15:2 1 Samuel 15:3

Verse 13

Bible Cross References
Genesis 26:34 Genesis 36:12 Genesis 36:14 Genesis 36:17 1 Chronicles 1:37

Verse 14

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:5 Genesis 36:13 Genesis 36:15

Verse 15

McArther Bible Commentary
the chiefs. This term, "ruler of a thousand," apart from one exception (Zec 12:5-6), is used exclusively for the tribal princes or clan leaders, the political/military leaders in Edom. It may suggest a loosely formed tribal confederacy.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:11 Genesis 36:14 Genesis 36:16 Exodus 15:15 Jeremiah 49:7

Verse 16

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:12 Genesis 36:15 Genesis 36:17

Verse 17

Bible Cross References
Genesis 26:34 Genesis 36:13 Genesis 36:16 Genesis 36:18

Verse 18

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:5 Genesis 36:17 Genesis 36:19

Verse 19

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:8 Genesis 36:18 Genesis 36:20

Verse 20

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
These are the sons of Seir - In the midst of the genealogy of the Edomites is inserted the genealogy of the Horites, those Canaanites, or Hittites, (compare (Genesis 26:34) ,) that were the natives of mount Seir. Mention is made of them, (Genesis 14:6) , and of their interest in mount Seir before the Edomites took possession of it, (Deuteronomy 2:12) , (Deuteronomy 2:22) . This comes in here, not only to give light to the story, but to be a standing reflexion upon the Edomites for intermarrying with them, by which it is likely they learned their way, and corrupted themselves. Esau having sold his birth - right, and lost his blessing and entered into alliance with the Hittites, his posterity and the sons of Seir are here reckoned together. 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. Notice is taken of one Anah, who fed the asses of Zibeon his father, (Genesis 36:20) , and yet is called duke Anah, (Genesis 36:29) . Those that expect to rise high should begin low. An honourable descent should not keep men from an honest employment, nor a mean employment baulk any man's preferment.
McArther Bible Commentary
Cf. 1Ch 1:38-42.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 14:6 Genesis 36:19 Genesis 36:21 Deuteronomy 2:12 Deuteronomy 2:22 1 Chronicles 1:38

Verse 21

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:20 Genesis 36:22 Genesis 36:30 1 Chronicles 1:38

Verse 22

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:21 Genesis 36:23 1 Chronicles 1:39

Verse 23

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:22 Genesis 36:24 1 Chronicles 1:40

Verse 24

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
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.
John Calvin Bible Commentary
This was that Anah that found the mules. Mules are the adulterous offspring of the horse and the ass. Moses says that Anah was the author of this connection.But I do not consider this as said in praise of his industry; for the Lord has not in vain distinguished the different kinds of animals from the beginning. But since the vanity of the flesh often solicits the children of this world, so that they apply their minds to superfluous matters, Moses marks this unnatural pursuit in Anah, who did not think it sufficient to have a great number of animals; but he must add to them a degenerate race produced by unnatural intercourse. Moreover, we learn hence, that there is more moderation among brute animals in following the law of nature, than in men, who invent vicious admixtures.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:23 Genesis 36:25 1 Chronicles 27:29

Verse 25

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:24 Genesis 36:26

Verse 26

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:25 Genesis 36:27 1 Chronicles 1:41

Verse 27

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:26 Genesis 36:28 Numbers 33:32 1 Chronicles 1:42

Verse 28

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:27 Genesis 36:29

Verse 29

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:20 Genesis 36:28 Genesis 36:30

Verse 30

Bible Cross References
Genesis 14:6 Genesis 36:21 Genesis 36:29 Genesis 36:31

Verse 31

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
By degrees the Edomites worked out the Horites, and got full possession of the country. 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: 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. God had lately promised Jacob that kings shall come out of his loins: yet Esau's blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob's did. Probably it was a trial to the faith of Israel, to hear of the 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. They were afterward's governed by dukes again, here named, who, I suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the country. They set up this form of government, either in conformity to the Horites, who had used it, (Genesis 36:29) , or God's providence reduced them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their unkindness to Israel, in refusing them passage through their country, (Numbers 20:18) .
John Calvin Bible Commentary
These are the kings that reigned, etcWe must keep in memory what we have said a little before, that reprobates are suddenly exalted, that they may immediately fall, like the herb upon the roofs, which is destitute of root, and has a hasty growth, but withers the more quickly. To the two sons of Isaac had been promised the honor that kings should spring from them. The Idumeans first began to reign, and thus the condition of Israel seemed to be inferior. But at length, lapse of time taught how much better it is, by creeping on the ground, to strike the roots deep, than to acquire an extravagant pre-eminence for a moment, which speedily vanishes away. There is, therefore, no reason why the faithful, who slowly pursue their way, should envy the quick children of this world, their rapid succession of delights; since the felicity which the Lord promises them is far more stable, as it is expressed in the psalm,“The children’s children shall dwell there, and their inheritance shall be perpetual.” (Psalm 102:28.)
McArther Bible Commentary
kings … before any king … of Israel. Sandwiched in the genealogical details of Edom is a statement prophetically pointing to kingship in Israel (Gen 17:6, Gen 17:16; Gen 35:11; Gen 49:10; Num 24:7, Num 24:17-18; Deu 17:14-20). The kings' list does not introduce a dynasty, each ruler not being the son of his predecessor. Kings more likely suggests rule over a more settled people than tribal groups.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 17:6 Genesis 17:16 Genesis 35:11 Genesis 36:30 Numbers 20:14 1 Chronicles 1:43

Verse 32

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:33 1 Chronicles 1:43

Verse 33

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:32 Genesis 36:34 Jeremiah 49:13

Verse 34

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:33 Genesis 36:35 1 Chronicles 1:45 Ezekiel 25:13

Verse 35

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:34 Genesis 36:36 1 Chronicles 1:46

Verse 36

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:35 Genesis 36:37 1 Chronicles 1:47

Verse 37

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:36 Genesis 36:38

Verse 38

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:37 Genesis 36:39 1 Chronicles 1:49 1 Chronicles 1:50 1 Chronicles 27:28

Verse 39

Bible Cross References
Genesis 25:15 Genesis 36:38 Genesis 36:40 1 Chronicles 1:50

Verse 40

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:39 Genesis 36:41 Exodus 15:15 1 Chronicles 1:51

Verse 41

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:2 Genesis 36:40 Genesis 36:42 1 Chronicles 1:52

Verse 42

Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:11 Genesis 36:41 Genesis 36:43

Verse 43

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Mount Seir is called the land of their possession - 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. The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, while the children of God have often 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.
McArther Bible Commentary
father of the Edomites. The closing title of the genealogy calls attention to the Lord's words to Rebekah at the birth of her sons, "two nations are in your womb" (Gen 25:23); here was the nation from the older son.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 36:15 Genesis 36:42 Genesis 37:1 1 Chronicles 1:54