Genesis 36:31-43

Rulers of Edom

31 These are the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites:

32 Bela son of Beor ruled in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah.

33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah ruled in his place.

34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites ruled in his place.

35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad ruled in his place. He defeated Midian in the field of Moab; the name of his city was Avith.

36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah ruled in his place.

37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth-on-the-River ruled in his place.

38 When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor ruled in his place.

39 When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadar^[a] ruled in his place. His city was Pau, and his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred daughter of Me-zahab.

40 These are the names of Esau's chiefs, according to their families and their localities, by their names: Chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,

41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,

42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,

43 Magdiel, and Iram. These are Edom's chiefs, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. Esau^[b] was father of the Edomites.

Genesis 36:31-43 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 36

This chapter gives us a genealogical account of Esau's family, of his wives and sons, with whom he removed from Seir, Ge 36:1-10; of his sons' sons, or grandsons, who were dukes in the land of Edom, Ge 36:11-19; after which is inserted a genealogy of Seir the Horite, into whose family Esau married, and of his children, and the dukes among them, Ge 36:20-30; then follows a list of the kings of Edom, before there were any in Israel, Ge 36:31-39; and the chapter is closed with a brief narration of the dukes of Esau, according to their families, Ge 36:40-43.

Footnotes

• [a]. Many Hb mss, Sam, Syr read Hadad
• [b]. Lit He Esau