Genesis 36:39

39 And when Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor died, Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

Genesis 36:39 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 36:39

And Baalhanan the son of Achbor died
About A. M. 2367.

and Hadar reigned in his stead;
the last of the Horite kings, when an end was put to this monarchy by the united families of Seir and Esau, and changed into dukedoms; of which there were seven of the race of Seir, and fourteen of the race of Esau, of whom an account is given in the preceding part of this chapter: as for this last king it is further said of him:

and the name of his city [was] Pau;
but where it was cannot be said:

and his wife's name [was] Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the
daughter of Mezahab;
this woman seems to be a person of note, by the particular mention made of her; but whether the names of her ancestors are the names of men or women it is not certain: some take Matred to be the name of her father, and Mezahab the name of her grandfather; but according to Aben Ezra, Marred was the name of her mother, who was the daughter of Mezahab her grandfather; whom the Targum of Jonathan interprets melter of gold, as does Saadiah Gaon.

Genesis 36:39 In-Context

37 And when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place.

38 When Saul died, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

39 And when Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor died, Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

40 And these were the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families and their places, by their names: Chief Timnah, Chief Alvah, Chief Jetheth,

41 Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon,

Footnotes

• [a] Spelled Hadad in Samaritan Pentateuch, Syriac, and 1 Chronicles 1:50
• [b] Spelled Pai in 1 Chronicles 1:50