(35) Who smote Midian . . . —All memory of this exploit has passed away, and the complete silence of the Bible regarding every one of these kings, makes it probable that they belonged to an early date prior to the time in Israel when historical events were carefully recorded. read more
X. THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU 1. Esau in Canaan, his wives and sons (Genesis 36:1-5 ) 2. Esau leaving Canaan and in Edom (Genesis 36:6-8 ) XI. THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU IN MOUNT SEIR 1. Sons of Esau (Genesis 36:9-10 ) 2. Sons of Eliphaz (Genesis 36:11-12 ) 3. Sons of Reuel (Genesis 36:13 ) 4. Sons of Aholibamah (Genesis 36:14 ) 5. Dukes of Eliphaz (Genesis 36:15-16 ) 6. Dukes of Reuel (Genesis 36:17 ) 7. Dukes of Jeush (Genesis 36:18 ) 8. Dukes of Horite and kings of Edom... read more
THE FAMILY OF ESAU This chapter deals with the generations of Esau. Verse 6 tells us that he took his wives, family, and all his possessions, leaving the land of Canaan, going "from the face of his brother Jacob." The man "after the flesh" cannot dwell together with the one who is chosen by God. Yet Esau (Edom) prospers and develops greatly in a material way, his sons becoming "dukes" (vs.15-43) before Jacob's family attain such honor (except for Joseph in Egypt). We must remember that Joseph... read more
JACOB ’S CHILDREN , ESAU ’S MEMOIRS THE WICKEDNESS OF JACOB’S SONS (Genesis 34:0 ) In the last lesson Jacob’s altar at Shechem proclaims God to be his God, but (as another says) it is evident he has not gotten the power of this name for he is walking in his own ways still, as his house at Succoth and his purchase at Shechem testify. So new sorrow and discipline must come. Dinah represents the young women of today who want to see the world and have their fling. Her conduct was indiscreet,... read more
1 Chronicles 1:43 , etc.-From dukes the seed of Esau advance to kings. But all the while are rejected from the covenant of promise. Psalms 72:17 . read more
The Kings of Edom v. 31. And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, up to the time that the children of Israel began the conquest of Canaan, for it was at that time that Moses wrote this account. v. 32. And Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. v. 33. And Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his stead. This city was very important, being considered one of... read more
NINTH SECTIONEsau’s Family Record and the Horites. Genesis 36:1-431Now these are the generations of Esau [ hairy, rough], who is Edom [red]. 2Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah [ornament, grace] the daughter of Elon [oak-grove, oak, strength] the Hittite, and Aholibamah [tent of the sacred height] the daughter of Anah [answering] the daughter of Zibeon [Gesenius: colored; Fürst: wild, robber] the Hivite; 3And Bashemath [pleasant fragrance] Ishmael’s daughter, sister of... read more
This is one of the sections of the biblical literature which all of us are tempted to hurry over, because it appears to be almost exclusively a list of names. We may allow that it appears uninteresting, nevertheless it is of great importance, having a very definite place and value in the highways of history. The story of the prolific progeny of "that profane person Esau" is at once startling and solemn. The sons of the flesh would seem to have multiplied far faster than the seed of promise.... read more
The Kings Who Reigned in the Land of Edom (Genesis 36:31-39 ). We have no means of knowing over what period these kings reigned other than that it was before a king reigned over the children of Israel. The kingship was clearly a kingship that depended on the quality of the candidates rather than on dynastic succession. It was necessary for the king to be a capable war leader for the people needed to be able to defend themselves and themselves probably engaged in raids. With people like Esau... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 36:1-43
The Generations of Esau’The amount of detail here arises from the fact that Edom was always counted Israel’s brother, and of great importance in the history of Israel. The Horites (“cave-dwellers ") were originally in the mountainous country of Seir (Genesis 36:20); the Hebrews under Esau entered and amalgamated with them. Esau married the Horite Aholibamah, and his son Eliphaz, the Horite Timna. They then became rulers of Seir to Akaba; God gave it them as Canaan to Israel ’(D.). See... read more