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Genesis 35

Genesis 36

Genesis 37

Genesis 36 — Commentary 4

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Benson

Benson Commentary Genesis 36:1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. Genesis 36:1 . These are the generations of Esau — Esau has the honour of having an account of his posterity recorded, for the sake of his progenitors, Abraham and Isaac, and because the Edomites, his descendants, were neighbours to Israel, and their genealogy would be of use to cast light on the following relations of what passed between them. Hereby also is shown more fully the performance of the promise to Abraham, that he should be the father of many nations, of that declaration made to Rebekah, when she inquired of the Lord, “Two nations are in thy womb,” and of the blessing given to Esau by Isaac, Thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth. Who is Edom — That name perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish bargain he made when he sold his birthright for that red pottage. Genesis 36:2 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; Genesis 36:3 And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. Genesis 36:4 And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel; Genesis 36:5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan. Genesis 36:6 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. Genesis 36:6 . Esau took his wives and all his substance, &c. — Although he had begun to settle among his wives’ relations in Seir, before Jacob came from Padan-aram, Genesis 32:3 ; yet, it is probable, that during the life of Isaac, he 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 Jacob 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. Genesis 36:7 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. Genesis 36:8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. Genesis 36:8 . Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir — Whatever opposition may be made, God’s word will take place, and his counsels shall stand concerning the times before appointed, and the bounds of our habitation. Genesis 36:9 And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir: Genesis 36:10 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. Genesis 36:10 . These are the names — Observe here, 1st, That only the names of Esau’s sons and grandsons 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. 2d, That the sons and grandsons of Esau are called dukes. Probably they were military commanders, that had soldiers under them; for Esau and his family lived by the sword, Genesis 27:40 . 3d, 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 complete accomplishment in the spiritual Israel. Genesis 36:11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. Genesis 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife. Genesis 36:13 And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife. Genesis 36:14 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. Genesis 36:15 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, Genesis 36:16 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. Genesis 36:17 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. Genesis 36:18 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. Genesis 36:19 These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes. Genesis 36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, Genesis 36:20 . These are the sons of Seir — In the midst of the genealogy of the Edomites is inserted the genealogy of the Horites, that were the natives of 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 reflection upon the Edomites for intermarrying with them, by which it is likely they learned their ways, and corrupted themselves. Genesis 36:21 And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom. Genesis 36:22 And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna. Genesis 36:23 And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. Genesis 36:24 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. Genesis 36:24 . Found mules — As the Hebrew word, here rendered mules, occurs nowhere else in Scripture, it is difficult to ascertain the meaning of this passage. Various have been the conjectures concerning what it was that Anah found. Some render the word waters, or hot waters, and understand the meaning to be, that he found some springs of water which in those hot countries were both rare and valuable, or some hot and medicinal springs. But the Chaldee renders it giants, and the Samaritan version Emims, a sort of giants mentioned Deuteronomy 2:10-11 , who were neighbours to the Horites, here spoken of, ( Genesis 14:5-6 ,) and therefore, according to the manner of those times, might make inroads upon them. It has been generally supposed, however, that our translators are right, and that, in keeping asses, he discovered the method of breeding mules; probably by accident. Genesis 36:25 And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah. Genesis 36:26 And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. Genesis 36:27 The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan. Genesis 36:28 The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran. Genesis 36:29 These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah, Genesis 36:30 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir. Genesis 36:31 And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel. Genesis 36:31 . 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 should 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. Genesis 36:32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah. Genesis 36:33 And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. Genesis 36:34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead. Genesis 36:35 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. Genesis 36:36 And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. Genesis 36:37 And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. Genesis 36:38 And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. Genesis 36:39 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. Genesis 36:40 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, Genesis 36:41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon, Genesis 36:42 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar, Genesis 36:43 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. Genesis 36:43 . In 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. Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.

Expositors

Expositor's Bible Commentary Genesis 36:1 Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. The Expositor's Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.

Illustrator

Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. Genesis 36 The history of the generations of Esau T. H. Leale I. WE SEE HOW THE PROMISES OF GOD CONCERNING ESAU WERE FULFILLED. Temporal prosperity. II. WE LEARN WHAT IS THE PRINCIPLE UPON WHICH OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY IS WRITTEN. This chapter is a kind of leave-taking of Esau and his posterity. The stream of sacred history leads on to the Messiah, the flower and perfection of our human race. Scripture history is written upon this principle — that it was God's design throughout to bring His only begotten Son into the world, and, therefore, that family alone in which He is to appear shall have a prominent record. III. WE LEARN THAT THE ENEMIES OF GOD MAY BE DISTINGUISHED BY GREAT WORLDLY GLORY AND PROSPERITY. Three times in this chapter we meet with the phrase, "This is Edom"; and once "He is Esau, the father of the Edomites" (vers. 1, 9, 19, 43). They were the bitterest enemies of Israel. Esau is the father of persecutors. Yet Esau was prospered in his lifetime more than his brother. Thus the believer is taught that he must toil slowly upwards, and must not envy the rapid and joyful prosperity of the children of this world. His record and his reward are with the Most High. His prosperity may be late and remote, but it is permanent. IV. WE LEARN HOW GOD WORKS IN THE FORMATION OF PEOPLES AND NATIONS. The subjugation of the Horites by the Edomites, and the fusion of both under one kingdom, is an instance of the manner in which peoples and nations are formed and consolidated. This has often occurred in history. We have examples in the rise of the Samaritans, and in the formation of the Roman people. And in modern times, we have a similar instance in the subjugation of the Gauls by the Franks. We see that the footsteps of God are to be traced throughout all human history. These nations which lay outside the covenant people were yet under the care and control of that Divine providence which appointed the bounds of their habitation, and watched over their growth and development ( Acts 17:26 ). V. WE LEARN, ALSO, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL ELEMENT IN HISTORY. The personal or individual element appears in all history, but in a most marked manner in sacred history. We see how nations are stamped with the character of their ancestor. ( T. H. Leale ) Lessons G. Hughes, B. D. 1. The genealogy of the wicked God records for His own ends in His Church. 2. God's record of the wicked's line is but to brand them to those who read it (ver. 1). 3. Godless hearts take strange wives — Hittites, Hivites, Ishmaelites — whatever God says against it (ver. 2, 8). 4. Providence doth vouchsafe progeny to wicked and multiplied matches, though He like them not (ver. 4, 5). 5. In God's own time He moveth the hearts of wicked enemies, to turn aside from straitening His Church (ver. 6). 6. Outward portions to the wicked satisfy them in and for their departing from God's Church (ver. 7). 7. Mount Seir pleaseth Esau better than the land of promise, because he is Edom (ver. 8). 8. The reproach of a profane Esau God maketh to rest upon his posterity (ver. 9). 9. Multitudes of wives and children and offspring God may grant unto the wicked. 10. God hath recorded the wicked End their progeny to distinguish them from His Church (ver. 10-14). 11. Dukedoms and dignities in the world is only the ambition of the wicked. The saint's is of another kind ( 2 Corinthians 5-9 ). 12. Dignities can never blot out the stain of sin from God's presence. The Dukes are Edomites still (ver. 15-19). ( G. Hughes, B. D. ) Lessons G. Hughes, B. D. The name and line of the wicked are mentioned by God's Spirit for distinction, not for honour to them. 2. Horites, Hittites, and Hivites are the national titles of the same sort of sinful people. 3. Uncleanness and unnaturalness are recorded in the wicked's line to make them stink. 4. A numerous progeny with dignity may be the portion of the wicked here below. 5. Affinity with persons that are wicked, usually bring souls to affinity with their sins. 6. God suffers and orders the wicked to join so in affinity, in order to the destroying of each other. So it was with Seir and Edom (ver. 20-30.) ( G. Hughes, B. D. ) Lessons G. Hughes, B. D. 1. Worldly men are ambitious of the highest titles of honour. Kings and dukes. 2. Earthly kingdoms God may order to the wicked (a settled government) before His Church (ver. 31). 3. Stinted are the numbers of kings and dignities by God in the world. 4. God maketh some notable for exploits above others. Hadad vanquisheth Midian. 5. Kings and queens are sometimes recorded for their shame by God's Spirit. 6. God overturneth and changeth states and government at His pleasure. 7. Profane fathers and profane children are branded by God's Spirit together, where mention is made of them. ( G. Hughes, B. D. ) Increase of Esau's house M. M. Kalisch, Ph. D. The text systematically shows the gradual growth and increase of the house of Esau. Through his three wives he became the father of five sons; Adah and Bashemath gave each birth to one son (Eliphaz the firstborn (ver. 15), and Reuel). and Aholibamah to three (Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah). These children were born to him in Canaan. But he could no longer stay in the land of his birth. His herds and flocks were too numerous to find room, by the side of those of his brother Jacob; and he emigrated spontaneously. But this took place a very considerable time before the events related in the preceding chapter; for when Jacob returned from Mesopotamia, he sent messengers to Esau into Idumea, and promised to visit him later in Seir. But this circumstance does not imply a contradiction. Our portion records the history of Esau as far as it relates to political power; it, therefore, goes back to the fortieth year of his life when he first married. He had then long sold his birthright; he had, no doubt, heard the prophecy given to his mother, that to his younger brother Jacob, the inheritance of the blessings of Abraham was reserved; when, therefore, his father Isaac advanced in years and became afflicted with infirmity, Jacob was regarded as the future head of the house, and as such obtained the superintendence over his father's property; the cattle of Isaac was, therefore, considered as that of Jacob; and it was within the thirty-eight years between his marriage and Jacob's flight, that Esau, at that time not inimical to his brother, left Canaan, thus willingly acknowledging the superior rights of Jacob, and spontaneously resigning his own claims upon the land. When Isaac, at the age of nearly 140 years, wish to bless his firstborn and favourite son, he sent for him to his new abodes; and Esau answered to the call, just as he came later to Canaan, at his father's death, to assist at the funeral duties. ( M. M. Kalisch, Ph. D. ) For their riches were more. Genesis 36:7 Riches cannot secure happiness "I wish I were rich, I would buy everything," cried Charlie. "The sun, moon, and stars?" inquired William. "No; everything that can be had for money." "That's not happiness," said William. "Get your hat, Charlie, and come with me to Mr. Morrison's," said his father. "Oh, please not, papa, he is such a disagreeable, miserable old man, with his cross looks and gouty foot, hobbling about and groaning." "I think you would like to live with him," said his father. "I, papa? I would rather live down a coal-pit!" "With him you would have all that can be bought with money." "I see it won't do," said Charlie. "Health cannot be bought with money." "Nor good temper, nor friendship, nor life," said William. "Above all," added their papa, "the favour of God cannot be bought with money. Be content with as much of it as God gives, and seek to use it aright." "The fear of God and sweet content Yield riches that will ne'er be spent.".

Matthew Henry

36:1-43 Esau and his descendants. - The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the covenant get the start. We may suppose it a 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. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. 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 beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession.