Genesis 36
BBCGenesis 36:1
- The Descendants of Jacob’s Brother Esau (Chap. 36)36:1-30 Chapter 36 is devoted to the descendants of Esau, who dwelt in the land of Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea. The genealogy represents the fulfillment of the promise that Esau would be the head of a nation (Gen_25:23). Esau had three or possibly four wives, depending on whether some of the women had two names (compare Gen_26:34; Gen_28:9; 36:2-3). In verse 24 Anah found water (or “hot springs,” NASB). 36:31-43 Moses, the author of Genesis, knew by divine revelation (see Gen_35:11) that Israel would eventually have a king. As seven generations of the ungodly line of Cain were given in chapter 4, so seven generations of kings in the ungodly line of Esau are mentioned here in verses 33-39. Seven, the number of completeness, probably indicates the entire line. Not one of Esau’s descendants is mentioned in God’s registry of the faithful; all are lost in the obscurity of those who depart from the living God. They had temporary riches and the passing fame of this world, but nothing for eternity.