Tyndale Open Study NotesGenesis 36

Genesis now turns to the story of Isaac’s sons. It first finishes the account of Esau’s line (chapter 36), who was not chosen. Then it continues with the line of Jacob (chapter 37), whom God chose.

The story of Esau emphasizes two main points:

1. The sons of Esau … were born to him in the land of Canaan (36:5) before he moved to Seir (36:8). In contrast, most of Jacob’s children were born outside Canaan but later moved there. God gave the land to Jacob and his descendants, making space for them by settling Esau elsewhere.

2. Esau was also known as Edom. Israel often had conflicts with the Edomites (see 1 Samuel 21:7; 22:9–22; Obadiah 1).

Esau had three wives named Adah, Oholibamah, and Basemath. Two of these names differ from earlier mentions (26:34; 28:9). It is possible the other wives died, Esau preferred these three out of six, or these were different names for the same wives. There is not enough information to know for sure.

Oholibamah was the great-granddaughter of Seir the Horite. Seir's descendants lived in Edom when Esau went to live there (36:20, 25).

Esau, like Lot, left for the eastern land (compare 13:5–6).

This passage names the descendants of Esau's five sons.

This passage begins a second account of Esau’s descendants (36:1). It introduces a new list of his family line and traces his descendants through later generations. It also records marriages and alliances

Thirteen of Esau’s descendants held leadership positions over different clans. This begins to show Esau as an overlord (a ruler over other rulers) of tribes (compare 36:40–43).

Seir the Horite was among the early people of the land. His descendants lived in that region until Esau and his descendants moved in and drove them out (Deuteronomy 2:12).

It is not clear how these kings of Edom were related to Esau. The clans in Edom followed the same pattern of organization as the later tribes of Israel. They eventually chose a king from one of their tribes and carried on a line of succession from him.

before any king reigned over the Israelites: This editorial note was probably inserted into the text after Israel was ruled by kings (see study note on 35:20).

These leaders came from Esau, a great and powerful ruler. As the ancestor of the Edomites, he governed clans and regions. Eleven chiefs descended from him.

By separating from Jacob, Esau started to free himself from Jacob's control (27:39–40).