Genesis Chapter 36
Showing all 43 verses for Genesis Chapter 36.
The People's Bible is written by people, for the people. Each verse below shows:
"Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom. "
"This is the family record of Esau, who is also called Edom."
Esau's family history is recorded carefully, even though his story runs alongside, not through, the covenant line. Every person's life and family history matters to God, even when it isn't the central thread of the larger story being told.
"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; "
"Esau married Canaanite women: Adah, daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah, daughter of Anah, granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite."
Esau marries women from the local Canaanite people, a different path from his father and brother. Different people can genuinely follow different paths in life; not every choice that diverges from family tradition is automatically a wrong one.
"And Bashemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. "
"He also married Bashemath, the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebajoth."
Esau's third wife connects his family to Ishmael's line, another branch of Abraham's descendants. Family ties can weave together in unexpected ways across generations; even a path outside the main covenant line still remains connected to the wider story of God's people.
"And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel; "
"Adah gave birth to Eliphaz for Esau, and Bashemath gave birth to Reuel."
Esau's sons through Adah and Bashemath begin the growth of his own family line. Every family's growth, however far removed from the central narrative, still represents real lives worth recording and valuing.
"And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan. "
"Aholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jaalam and Korah. These were Esau's sons, born to him in Canaan."
Aholibamah's sons complete this first generation, all born in the land of Canaan. A family can put down real roots and build a genuine legacy even in a place its story isn't primarily remembered for.
"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. "
"Esau took his wives, sons, daughters, everyone in his household, his livestock and all the wealth he had built up in Canaan, and moved away to another region, away from his brother Jacob."
Esau moves his entire household away from Jacob, taking everything he has built. Sometimes the healthiest step for two people, even brothers, is simply enough distance to each build and flourish in their own right.
"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. "
"Their combined wealth was too much for them to live in the same area; the land they were staying in as outsiders couldn't support both their herds."
The brothers' combined wealth is simply too great for the land to sustain them together. Growth and abundance can sometimes require a peaceful parting of ways, not because of conflict, but because both are simply too blessed to stay confined to the same space.
"Thus Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. "
💡 Highlighted words feature Jacobean 1611 tooltips to clarify shifted 17th-century English terms.
"So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. Esau is Edom."
Esau settles permanently in the hill country of Seir, becoming the father of the Edomite nation. However far a life diverges from the path you expected for someone, real purpose and a lasting legacy can still take root and flourish there.
"And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir: "
"This is the family record of Esau, ancestor of the Edomites, in the hill country of Seir."
Esau's fuller genealogy begins here, marking him as father of a whole nation in his own right. Consider that even a life lived outside the central promise can still become the origin of something significant and lasting in its own way.
"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. "
"Esau's sons were named: Eliphaz, son of his wife Adah, and Reuel, son of his wife Bashemath."
Esau's sons are named individually, each one a real person with his own place in the family. Take the time to see and name individuals fully, rather than reducing a large family or group to a single, undifferentiated whole.
"And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. "
"Eliphaz's sons were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz."
Eliphaz's sons are recorded, extending Esau's line into a third generation. A legacy doesn't stop with the first generation; consider what you're building that will continue meaningfully into the generations that follow you.
"And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau’s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife. "
"Timna was a secondary wife to Eliphaz, Esau's son, and she gave birth to Amalek. These were the descendants of Adah, Esau's wife."
Amalek's birth is noted plainly here, though his descendants become a difficult, recurring adversary for Israel later. Even a family record as neutral as a genealogy can quietly carry forward the seeds of future conflict; not every branch of your own history will lead somewhere comfortable, and that's worth facing honestly.
"And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife. "
"Reuel's sons were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah - descendants of Bashemath, Esau's wife."
Reuel's sons extend another branch of Esau's growing family. Every branch of a family tree, however distant it may seem from the main story, still deserves to be recorded and remembered with equal care.
"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. "
"These were the sons of Esau's wife Aholibamah, daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon: she gave birth to Jeush, Jaalam and Korah."
Aholibamah's sons complete the third branch of Esau's direct descendants. A full and honest family record includes every branch, not just the ones that seem most significant at first glance.
"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, "
"These were the clan chiefs (older translations say 'dukes') among Esau's descendants: from Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn - chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,"
The sons of Eliphaz become recognised clan chiefs, marking the start of Edom's tribal structure. Consider how the responsibilities and influence within a family can grow, generation by generation, into something with genuine, lasting structure and significance.
"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. "
"chief Korah, chief Gatam and chief Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom, sons of Adah."
Amalek is listed here among the chiefs, his complicated future not yet apparent in this simple record. A person's full significance, for good or for difficulty, often isn't visible at the moment their name first enters the story; only time reveals the fuller picture.
"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. "
"These are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah and chief Mizzah - the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom, sons of Bashemath, Esau's wife."
Reuel's sons are also recognised as chiefs, building out Edom's broader leadership. Real, lasting influence in a family or community usually grows gradually, through consistent presence over generations, rather than arriving all at once.
"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. "
"These are the sons of Esau's wife Aholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jaalam and chief Korah - the chiefs descended from Aholibamah, daughter of Anah, Esau's wife."
Aholibamah's sons round out the leadership descending directly from Esau. A complete and fair record gives every contributing line its due weight, rather than favouring one part of the family over another.
"These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes. "
"These are Esau's sons - that is, Edom's sons - and these are their chiefs."
This section closes by reaffirming plainly that Esau is Edom, and these are his people. Sometimes the simplest, most repeated truths in a story are also the most important ones to hold onto amid a wealth of detail.
"These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, "
"These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who lived in that land before Esau arrived: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,"
The narrative turns to the Horites, the people already living in the land before Esau's family arrived. Recognise and honour the history of people and places that existed before your own arrival; nothing you build starts on entirely empty ground.
"And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom. "
"and Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These are the Horite chiefs, sons of Seir, in the land of Edom."
The Horite chiefs are named plainly, their own leadership structure recorded alongside Esau's. Every people and every history carries its own dignity and order, worth acknowledging honestly, even when your focus lies elsewhere.
"And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. "
"Lotan's children were Hori and Hemam, and Lotan's sister was Timna."
Lotan's family is detailed, including a sister, Timna, whose story connects to Esau's line later. Small, easily overlooked details in a larger record can turn out to carry real significance once the fuller picture comes into view.
"And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. "
"Shobal's children were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam."
Shobal's sons are recorded, another branch of the established Horite community. A community's depth and richness is often found in these smaller, less prominent branches, not only in its most visible leaders.
"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. "
"Zibeon's children were Ajah and Anah - this is the Anah who discovered hot springs (or possibly mules) in the wilderness while tending his father Zibeon's donkeys."
Anah is remembered specifically for discovering warm springs while tending donkeys. Even someone doing an ordinary, humble task can end up remembered for a genuinely useful discovery; don't underestimate the value of paying attention during unremarkable work.
"And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah. "
"Anah's children were Dishon and Aholibamah - the same Aholibamah who became Esau's wife."
Anah's children include Aholibamah, later revealed as one of Esau's wives. Genealogies like this quietly reveal how deeply intertwined two peoples' histories and families can become, long before the full connection is made clear.
"And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. "
"Dishon's children were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran."
Dishon's sons extend the Horite family record further. Faithful, careful record-keeping, even of names that seem unremarkable now, preserves a fuller and more honest picture of history for those who come after.
"The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan. "
"Ezer's children were Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan."
Ezer's sons are named, adding further depth to the Horite lineage. Every family line, no matter how minor it seems within a larger narrative, still represents real people whose lives mattered in their own right.
"The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran. "
"Dishan's children were Uz and Aran."
Dishan's sons complete this portion of the Horite genealogy. Thoroughness in honouring every part of a community's history reflects a real respect for the fullness of who actually made up that community.
"These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah, "
"These are the Horite chiefs: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,"
The chiefs of the Horite clans are summarised, mirroring the structure already given for Esau's family. Different peoples, even ones with very different stories, can share a very similar, recognisable structure of leadership and family life.
"Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir. "
"chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These are the Horite chiefs, according to their clans in the land of Seir."
The remaining Horite chiefs complete this record of the land's earlier inhabitants. A complete, honest history makes room for every group that shaped a place, not only the ones who came to dominate it afterwards.
"And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel. "
"These are the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before Israel had any king of its own."
The text moves to a list of kings who ruled Edom before Israel ever had a king of its own. Other nations and paths can reach certain forms of success and structure well before your own story catches up to them; that timing doesn't diminish the promise still ahead of you.
"And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah. "
"Bela son of Beor ruled in Edom, and his city was called Dinhabah."
Bela becomes Edom's first recorded king, ruling from the city of Dinhabah. Every structure of leadership, however unfamiliar to you now, had a real beginning and a real person who first took up that responsibility.
"And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead. "
"When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah, from Bozrah, became king instead."
Jobab succeeds Bela as the next king of Edom. Succession and continuity in leadership, however ordinary it may look in a historical record, reflects a real, functioning community carrying itself forward.
"And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead. "
"When Jobab died, Husham, from the land of the Temanites, became king instead."
Husham of the Temanites becomes the next king after Jobab. Leadership can rightly draw from different regions and families within a nation, rather than being locked permanently to a single line.
"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. "
"When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad became king instead - the same Hadad who defeated Midian in the territory of Moab. His city was called Avith."
Hadad, notable for his victory over Midian, becomes king, ruling from Avith. A leader's specific accomplishments, not just their name in a list, are what give a particular season of history its own distinct character.
"And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead. "
"When Hadad died, Samlah, from Masrekah, became king instead."
Samlah of Masrekah succeeds Hadad as king. The steady, orderly passing of leadership from one capable person to the next reflects a kind of quiet stability worth appreciating, even in an unfamiliar ancient record.
"And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. "
"When Samlah died, Saul, from Rehoboth by the river, became king instead."
Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-river becomes the next king of Edom. A nation's history is built from an accumulation of many individual leaders, each contributing their own particular chapter to the whole.
"And Saul died, and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead. "
"When Saul died, Baalhanan son of Achbor became king instead."
Baalhanan, son of Achbor, succeeds Saul as king. Even brief entries in a long historical record represent real periods of real responsibility carried by real people.
"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. "
"When Baalhanan son of Achbor died, Hadar became king instead. His city was called Pau, and his wife was named Mehetabel, daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab."
Hadar becomes the final king listed, with additional detail given about his wife's family. The fuller detail given to this final entry is a reminder that even within a long, repetitive record, individual lives still stood out with their own particular story.
"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, "
"These are the names of the chiefs descended from Esau, by their clans, regions and names: chief Timnah, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,"
A further list of Edomite chiefs is given, named according to their families and places. Even after a record of kings, a community's identity is still carried forward through its many families and their particular places within it.
"Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon, "
"chief Aholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,"
More chiefs are listed among Esau's descendants. A nation's strength and character is often found less in a single ruler and more in the many families and leaders spread throughout it.
"Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar, "
"chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,"
The list of chiefs continues, further detailing Esau's expansive legacy. Consider how a single life, faithfully or unfaithfully lived, can multiply outward into an entire nation's worth of families and leaders over time.
"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. "
"chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to where they settled in the land they possessed. This was Esau, father of the Edomites."
The record closes by naming Esau plainly as 'the father of the Edomites,' and the story turns back to Jacob settling in Canaan. However parallel or different two paths in life become, both can still arrive at a real, meaningful place of their own; and the story you're actually part of is always the one worth returning your full attention to.