Genesis 36

Genesis 36:1-43

The Genealogy of Esau - Genesis 36:1-43 gives the account of the genealogy of Esau, Isaac’s son and the twin of Jacob. The book of Genesis lists the genealogies of the two sons of Isaac, but only one of them would carry the seed of righteousness, which was Jacob. Because these were the sons of Isaac, God blessed Esau so that he became a nation, and He gave him the land of Edom (Deuteronomy 2:5, Joshua 24:4). Isaac their father also blessed both sons with prophetic utterances (Hebrews 11:20). Because of his wicked heart, Esau failed to fulfill his divine destiny. Like Ishmael, he did not produce a righteous offspring, but rather persecuted Jacob.

Therefore, his genealogy is only briefly listed in the book of Genesis because these people did not contribute to the propagation of God’s plan of redemption for mankind; rather, they hindered it. However, God gave Esau a promise, which fulfillment is reflected in this genealogy. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Family of Esau — Genesis 36:1-142. The Dukes of Edom — Genesis 36:15-193. The Sons of Seir the Horite — Genesis 36:20-304. The Kings of Edom — Genesis 36:31-395. The Chiefs of Edom — Genesis 36:40-43

Genesis 36:15-19

The Dukes of Edom – We find in Genesis 36:15-19 a list of the “dukes,” or “chiefs,” that came from the sons of Esau. Genesis 36:15 — Word Study on “duke” - Strong says the Hebrew word “duke” “alluwph” (H441) (ΰַ ?μּ ?εּ ?σ) means, “a “friend, gentle,” or “a chieftain.” Strong says it comes from the primitive root “aw-lof” (ΰָ ?μַ ?σ) (H502), which means, “to associate with, to learn, to teach.” The Enhanced Strong says this word is used 69 times in the Old Testament, being translated “duke 57, guide 4, friends 2, governors 2, captains 1, governor 1, ox 2.”

Genesis 36:20-30

The Sons of the Seir the Horite – We find in Genesis 36:20-30 the genealogy of Seir the Horite. This genealogy is unique in that it is a genealogy of people recorded in the book of Genesis who are not related to Abraham. All other genealogies in Genesis are either his ancestors or descendants. One must ask the question why such a genealogy exists in the Scriptures. One answer may lie in the fact that there was quite a bit of history between the sons of Esau and of Seir in their battles to occupy the land of Edom. 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 — Word Study on “Seir” – Strong says the Hebrew name “Seir” (ωֵׂ ?ςִ ?ιψ) (H8165) means, “rough.” He was the patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites (ISBE).[245] [245] W. Ewing, “Seir,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., c1915, 1939), in The Sword Project, v. 1.5.11 [CD-ROM] (Temple, AZ: CrossWire Bible Society, 1990-2008).Genesis 36:20 — Word Study on “the Horite” - Strong says the Hebrew name “Horite” (ηֹ ?ψִ ?ι) (H2752) means, “cave-dweller, or troglodyte; a Chorite or aboriginal Idumζan.” He says this name is derived from (ηεֹ ?ψ) (2356), meaning, “cave.” BDB says it means, “cave dweller.” The ISBE says that the name literally means, “white,” and refers to a white race of people that inhabited this region.[246] The Horites were the ancient inhabitants of the land of Edom before the sons of Esau took dominion (Deuteronomy 2:12). It is used 6 times in the Old Testament being translated “Horite 4, Horims 2.” [246] A. H. Sayce, “Horite,” in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., c1915, 1939), in The Sword Project, v. 1.5.11 [CD-ROM] (Temple, AZ: CrossWire Bible Society, 1990-2008).Deuteronomy 2:12, “The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.” Genesis 36:20 — “These are the sons of Seir the Horite” – Comments - Note Genesis 14:6, “And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.” Genesis 36:24 — Word Study on “the mules” – Gesenius says the Hebrew word “mules” “imim” (ιֵ ?ξִ ?ν) (H3222) probably means, “hot springs.” Strong says it means either “warm spring” or “mule.” This Hebrew word is only used one time in the entire Old Testament. Most modern translations render it as “hot springs,” which can be found in this region of the desert (AmpBible, ASV, ESV, Keil-Delitzsch, NASB, NCV, NET, NLT, NIV, RSV). The VgClem reads “aquas calidas.” Gesenius says some Jewish writers, the Talmud and Martin Luther conjectured from the context that the word means “mules,” and thus the KJV follows this tradition. A few translations simply transliterate the Hebrew word into “Ιαμιν” (LXX) and “Imim” (YLT). Gesenius says it is translated “Emims or giants” in the Samaritan copy of the Pentateuch. Gesenius tells us that in the Samaritan copy of the Pentateuch the words are “he fell upon Emims,” or “giants,” and so this is understood by Onkelos and Pesudo-Jonathan. If we compare the similarities of “Imim” (ιֵ ?ξִ ?ν) (H3222) to the Hebrew word “Emim” (ΰֵ ?ιξִ ?ιν) (H368), which means “giant,” it becomes easier to understand this definition. We find “Emim” used in Deuteronomy 2:10-11 in reference to giants. Deuteronomy 2:10-11, “The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.” In light of the similarity of the Hebrew word “Emim” (ΰֵ ?ιξִ ?ιν), I believe the word “giant” or the broader meaning, “monster,” to be the more accurate meaning of the word “Imim.”

Genesis 36:31-39

The Kings of Edom – We find in Genesis 36:31-39 a lineage of kings who reigned over the land of Edom.

Genesis 36:40-43

The Chiefs of Edom – Genesis 36:40-43 gives us the list of the eleven dukes that came from the loins of Esau and ruled the land of Edom.