Genesis 26:34 kjv

And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

Genesis 26:34 nkjv

When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite.

Genesis 26:34 niv

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.

Genesis 26:34 esv

When Esau was forty years old, he took Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite to be his wife, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite,

Genesis 26:34 nlt

At the age of forty, Esau married two Hittite wives: Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon.

Genesis 26 verses

Genesis 26 34 Meaning

Genesis 26:34 records a pivotal life decision by Esau: his marriage at age forty to two Hittite women, Judith and Basemath. This verse, while seemingly a straightforward biographical detail, immediately follows Isaac's obedience to God and God's renewed promises, thus subtly introducing a major dissonance. Esau's choice to marry local, non-covenant women from a forbidden lineage revealed his disregard for the spiritual values of his parents and the Abrahamic covenant, a lack of spiritual discernment already foreshadowed by his despising of the birthright. It marked a deviation from the patriarchal tradition of seeking a spouse from kin, and foreshadowed the deep grief and family conflict detailed in the subsequent verse.

Genesis 26 34 Context

Genesis 26 focuses on Isaac's experiences in Gerar and his renewed covenant blessings, mirroring Abraham's journey. Just as God affirmed His covenant with Isaac, this verse (Gen 26:34) introduces a significant challenge to the lineage. It is strategically placed immediately before verse 35, which reveals the grief Esau's marriages brought to Isaac and Rebekah. Historically, this period saw emerging settlements of various groups, including the Hittites. For the Abrahamic covenant line, it was critical to maintain separation from these people to preserve spiritual distinctiveness and avoid their idolatrous practices. Esau's action highlights a significant moral and spiritual lapse, standing in stark contrast to Abraham's diligence in securing a suitable wife for Isaac (Gen 24).

Genesis 26 34 Word analysis

• And Esau: (וַיְהִי עֵשָׂו - va-yihi Esav). "And" links this statement directly to the previous narrative about Isaac, setting Esau's choices against the backdrop of God's covenant renewal. Esau, already characterized by his impulsive nature (Gen 25:29-34), continues to demonstrate a worldly orientation.

• was forty years old: (בֶּן אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה - ben arba'im shanah). This specific age (a rounded number in biblical contexts often signifies a significant milestone or a mature age for making decisions) highlights that Esau's choice was not youthful folly but a deliberate decision made as a mature adult, emphasizing his personal responsibility. It parallels Isaac's age when he married Rebekah (Gen 25:20), creating an implicit contrast between the spiritual discernment of the fathers and sons.

• when he took as wives: (בְּקַחְתּוֹ נָשִׁים - be-kachto nashim). The phrase implies a proactive decision, not merely an arranged marriage. "Took" (lakach) means "to take, to acquire," and can refer to marriage by agreement or conquest. The plural "wives" (nâshîm) indicates polygamy from the outset, another point of deviation from the single-wife model seen in the direct covenant lineage (Noah, Abraham, Isaac).

• Judith: (יְהוּדִית - Yehudit). The name means "Jewess" or "Praise." It's an ironic name given her Hittite origin and the negative spiritual impact of her marriage on the Abrahamic line.

• the daughter of Beeri: (בַּת בְּאֵרִי - bat Be'eri). Beeri means "My well."

• the Hittite: (הַחִתִּי - ha-Ḥitti). This ethnonym is critically significant. The Hittites were one of the Canaanite nations inhabiting the land, specifically forbidden for intermarriage with God's covenant people (Exod 34:15-16, Deut 7:3). Their inclusion signals Esau's direct contravention of the unwritten expectation of endogamy for the covenant line (seen in Gen 24) and foreshadows the explicit Mosaic law against such unions. It reflects Esau's integration into the local pagan culture rather than distinction for the Abrahamic promises.

• and Basemath: (וּבָשְׂמַת - u-Vasemat). The name means "fragrance" or "spice," another name carrying an ironic contrast to the spiritual bitterness brought by these unions.

• the daughter of Elon: (בַּת אֵילֹן - bat Elon). Elon means "oak" or "terebinth," referencing strong trees common in the region.

• the Hittite: (הַחִתִּי - ha-Ḥitti). Reinforces the tribal identity and Esau's doubling down on marriages from outside the family of faith. The emphasis on two Hittite wives compounds the deviation and signifies a pattern of disregard.

• "When he took as wives Judith...and Basemath...": This phrase signifies not merely two separate marriages but Esau establishing his household outside the familial and spiritual boundaries. It's a statement about his settled life and independence, but also his independence from God's covenant plan for his lineage. The immediate effect of these marriages on his parents underlines their non-alignment with divine intent.

Genesis 26 34 Bonus section

The seemingly innocent mentioning of specific names (Judith and Basemath) and their origins as "Hittite" implicitly serves as a commentary on Esau's spiritual standing. While it does not explicitly state these women caused the grief, the reader immediately links the preceding act (marriage) to the subsequent reaction (grief in Gen 26:35). The fact that Esau later attempts to rectify his perceived error by marrying a daughter of Ishmael (Gen 28:8-9) suggests he belatedly understood his parents' displeasure, though his further choice of Ishmael's line still did not align him with the core Abrahamic promise line. This passage implicitly reinforces the wisdom found later in Mosaic law, where the mixing of the covenant people with other nations leads to spiritual decay and idolatry, hence stressing the importance of discerning partnership and choosing wisely.

Genesis 26 34 Commentary

Genesis 26:34 presents Esau's independent and seemingly rash decision to marry two Hittite women at the age of forty. This act is much more than a simple genealogical record; it reveals profound spiritual implications. At an age of maturity, mirroring Isaac's own age at marriage, Esau chose partners from a culture alien to the covenant promises. The Hittites, as a branch of the Canaanite nations, represented pagan worship and idolatry, traditions directly contrary to the singular worship of Yahweh taught to Abraham and Isaac.

Esau's choice reflects a fundamental misalignment of his heart and priorities. Unlike his grandfather Abraham, who meticulously sought a wife for Isaac from among his own kin, Esau demonstrated no such concern for the spiritual heritage. His "despising" of the birthright (Gen 25:34) now manifested in his disregard for a crucial element of preserving the Abrahamic covenant line. This choice brought immediate and profound grief to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 26:35), signaling their discernment of the spiritual dangers. The unions highlight Esau's worldliness and his comfort in assimilating with local, ungodly customs, contrasting sharply with the chosen line that was meant to be separate for God's purposes. Ultimately, this decision played a role in the subsequent family strife, particularly Jacob's pursuit of the blessing, driven in part by Rebekah's desire to secure the spiritual future of her favored son from Esau's disruptive influence. This verse is a foundational biblical warning about the lasting consequences of prioritizing immediate personal desires over adherence to divine instruction and covenant responsibilities, particularly in the foundational choice of a life partner.