seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Genesis 36:31 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:
32 Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.
33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.
34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.
36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.
37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king.
38 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king.
39 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad[e] succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.
40 These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions:
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 43 Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied.
This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites.
32 Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.
33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.
34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
35 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.
36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.
37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king.
38 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Akbor succeeded him as king.
39 When Baal-Hanan son of Akbor died, Hadad[e] succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab.
40 These were the chiefs descended from Esau, by name, according to their clans and regions:
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 43 Magdiel and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied.
This is the family line of Esau, the father of the Edomites.
e. Genesis 36:39 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Syriac (see also 1 Chron. 1:50); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Hadar
One of the commentaries I've grown quite fond of lately only has one paragraph written about Genesis 36. Figures, it was written by a preacher and as I said in the beginning, I've never heard a single sermon on Genesis 36 as I recall. These verses make me wonder why not? After all, with so much news about the upcoming presidential elections, not to mention some sticky local elections going on, it seems the pulpit would give us guidance.
This is some of what bible.org [under the heading of "A Hairy Tale"] offers.
Esau and his descendants were men of great political power. They are called “chiefs” and “kings”. These men reigned as kings in Edom before any king reigned in Israel. Esau’s sons, who walked away from God, had the distinction of being kings long before Jacob’s sons to whom it was promised. While Esau’s sons and grandsons would become rulers, Jacob’s sons remained lowly shepherds for generations (47:3). Esau’s sons could have looked at Jacob’s sons and scoffed, “Where is your God and His promises?”
Esau’s kingdom, Edom, later caused great trouble to Israel. There were frequent wars between the two nations. Edom cheered those who attacked God’s people (Ps 137:7; Obadiah). Amalek, Esau’s grandson, became the founder of a people who were a perennial enemy of Israel (Exod 17:8-16). There is a repeated emphasis in Genesis 36, that Esau is Edom. The significance of this otherwise unnecessary repetition seems to be that God wanted His people to see what results when a man lives apart from Him. From this one man, Esau, an outwardly good man, a likable man, a successful man from the world’s perspective, came the godless nation Edom, which often plagued the people of God. So God says, “Remember: Esau is Edom!”
Esau’s kingdom, Edom, later caused great trouble to Israel. There were frequent wars between the two nations. Edom cheered those who attacked God’s people (Ps 137:7; Obadiah). Amalek, Esau’s grandson, became the founder of a people who were a perennial enemy of Israel (Exod 17:8-16). There is a repeated emphasis in Genesis 36, that Esau is Edom. The significance of this otherwise unnecessary repetition seems to be that God wanted His people to see what results when a man lives apart from Him. From this one man, Esau, an outwardly good man, a likable man, a successful man from the world’s perspective, came the godless nation Edom, which often plagued the people of God. So God says, “Remember: Esau is Edom!”
So, I'll hear the names, Esau, Edom, and Edomites again because this part of the family tree of Jesus will be a thorn throughout the rest of the story. I hope I have learned enough to appreciate those stories to come, even more. I have to admit, watching the news these days, I think of the people like Ishmael, Hagar, and Esau. I think of all those centuries of family dysfunction.
And... yeah.... I finally studied Genesis 36. Generally I just move on to read about Joseph. I'm glad I stopped myself.
