Genesis 36

Ge 36:1-43.

POSTERITY OF

ESAU.

1. these are the generations--history of the leading men and

events (compare

Ge 2:4).

Esau who is Edom--A name applied to him in reference to the

peculiar color of his skin at birth

[Ge 25:25],

rendered more significant by his inordinate craving for the red

pottage

[Ge 25:30],

and also by the fierce sanguinary character of his descendants (compare

Eze 25:12;

Ob 10).

2, 3. Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan--There were

three, mentioned under different names; for it is evident that

Bashemath is the same as Mahalath

(Ge 28:9),

since they both stand in the relation of daughter to Ishmael and sister

to Nebajoth; and hence it may be inferred that Adah is the same as

Judith, Aholibamah as Bathsemath

(Ge 26:34).

It was not unusual for women, in that early age, to have two names, as

Sarai was also Iscah

[Ge 11:29];

and this is the more probable in the case of Esau's wives, who of

course would have to take new names when they went from Canaan to

settle in mount Seir.

6, 7. Esau . . . went into the country from the face of

his brother Jacob--literally, "a country," without any certain

prospect of a settlement. The design of this historical sketch of Esau

and his family is to show how the promise

(Ge 27:39, 40)

was fulfilled. In temporal prosperity he far exceeds his brother; and

it is remarkable that, in the overruling providence of God, the vast

increase of his worldly substance was the occasion of his leaving

Canaan and thus making way for the return of Jacob.

8. Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir--This was divinely assigned as

his possession

(Jos 24:4;

De 2:5).

15-19. dukes--The Edomites, like the Israelites, were divided

into tribes, which took their names from his sons. The head of each

tribe was called by a term which in our version is rendered "duke"--not

of the high rank and wealth of a British peer, but like the sheiks or

emirs of the modern East, or the chieftains of highland clans. Fourteen

are mentioned who flourished contemporaneously.

20-30. Sons of Seir, the Horite--native dukes, who were

incorporated with those of the Edomite race.

24. This was that Anah that found the mules in the

wilderness--The word "mules" is, in several ancient versions,

rendered "water springs"; and this discovery of some remarkable

fountain was sufficient, among a wandering or pastoral people, to

entitle him to such a distinguishing notice.

31-39. kings of Edom--The royal power was not built on the ruins

of the dukedoms, but existed at the same time.

40-43. Recapitulation of the dukes according to their

residences.