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
For their riches H7399 were more H7227 than that they might dwell H3427 together; H3162 and the land H776 wherein they were strangers H4033 could H3201 not bear H5375 them because H6440 of their cattle. H4735 Thus dwelt H3427 Esau H6215 in mount H2022 Seir: H8165 Esau H6215 is Edom. H123
And these are the sons H1121 of Aholibamah H173 Esau's H6215 wife; H802 duke H441 Jeush, H3266 duke H441 Jaalam, H3281 duke H441 Korah: H7141 these were the dukes H441 that came of Aholibamah H173 the daughter H1323 of Anah, H6034 Esau's H6215 wife. H802 These are the sons H1121 of Esau, H6215 who is Edom, H123 and these are their dukes. H441
Duke H441 Dishon, H1787 duke H441 Ezer, H687 duke H441 Dishan: H1789 these are the dukes H441 that came of Hori, H2753 among their dukes H441 in the land H776 of Seir. H8165 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
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.