Genesis 36:14 kjv

And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bare to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

Genesis 36:14 nkjv

These were the sons of Aholibamah, Esau's wife, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon. And she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah.

Genesis 36:14 niv

The sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam and Korah.

Genesis 36:14 esv

These are the sons of Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Genesis 36:14 nlt

Esau also had sons through Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon. Their names were Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 14 Meaning

Genesis 36:14 records a specific part of Esau's lineage, detailing three of his sons born to Aholibamah, who was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, and one of Esau's wives. This verse, along with the rest of Genesis 36, meticulously outlines the family tree of Esau, emphasizing the rapid multiplication of his descendants and the establishment of the Edomite nation. It underscores the biblical theme of descendants multiplying and serves to differentiate Esau's line from Jacob's, establishing the distinct Edomite people who would become neighbors, and often adversaries, to Israel.

Genesis 36 14 Context

Genesis 36:14 is situated within a genealogical chapter entirely dedicated to the descendants of Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother. Chapters 25-35 primarily follow Jacob's journey and the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel. Chapter 36 provides a detailed parallel account of Esau's family, the Edomites, demonstrating how God's promise to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 25:23) that "two nations" would come from their womb was fulfilled through both Jacob and Esau. This chapter is distinct, serving to complete Esau's narrative, outlining his wives, sons, grandsons, and ultimately the chiefs (tribal leaders) and kings who descended from him. Verse 14 specifically introduces three more sons through one of Esau's named wives, Aholibamah, further illustrating the rapid expansion of his family into distinct clans within the nascent nation of Edom. It also traces Aholibamah's specific Horite background, underscoring the mixed lineage of the Edomite people, who merged with the existing inhabitants of Mount Seir. The detailed naming emphasizes the establishment and structure of the Edomite society distinct from the developing Israelite nation, setting the stage for their future interactions, which were often marked by rivalry and conflict.

Genesis 36 14 Word analysis

• And these were: This phrase serves as a common literary marker in Genesis for introducing a list or sequence of generations, highlighting the structured, record-keeping nature of biblical genealogies. It signals a shift or continuation in the family record.
• the sons: Refers to male descendants. In ancient Near Eastern societies, patrilineal descent was primary for lineage and inheritance, emphasizing the propagation of family lines through sons. This term broadly includes direct sons but can extend to significant male offspring in general lineage lists.
• of Aholibamah:
  • Aholibamah (Hebrew: אָהֳלִיבָמָה, ʾĀholîbāmāh): Meaning "my tent is high" or "tent of the high place." Her name itself might allude to her social standing or origin. She is clearly identified as a specific wife of Esau, distinct from other wives mentioned in this chapter (Adah and Basemath, cf. Gen 36:2-3). The explicit naming and tracing of her paternal lineage underscores her importance in the Edomite tribal structure.
• the daughter of Anah: Specifies Aholibamah's immediate father. Anah is noteworthy as being the one who found yemim (KJV: "mules"; some interpretations: "hot springs" or "water sources") in the wilderness while pasturing his father's donkeys (Gen 36:24), implying a unique contribution or event in the history of the Horites. This connection grounds Aholibamah in a known, influential family within the indigenous population of Seir.
• the daughter of Zibeon: Further traces Aholibamah's maternal grandfather, Zibeon, identified as a Horite (Gen 36:20), indicating her lineage's deep roots among the pre-existing inhabitants of the land Esau came to inhabit. This emphasizes the intermingling of Esau's descendants with the native Horite people, a significant aspect of Edomite identity.
• Esau's wife: Confirms Aholibamah's marital status and role in perpetuating Esau's lineage. This detail is crucial for establishing the specific paternal connection for the sons listed, clarifying their branch of the Esau family tree.
• Jeush (Hebrew: יְעוּשׁ, Yᵉʿûš): The meaning is uncertain, possibly related to "he will assist" or "he will hasten." A unique name to Esau's lineage, providing another branch in the genealogical record.
• Jaalam (Hebrew: יַעְלָם, Yaʿlām): Meaning "he will be hidden" or "he hides." Another specific family name that marks this particular Edomite branch.
• and Korah (Hebrew: קֹרַח, Qōraḥ): Meaning "bald" or "ice." This name, though identical to the well-known Levite who rebelled against Moses in Numbers 16, refers to a different individual entirely. This Korah is Esau's grandson through Aholibamah, an Edomite chief. It highlights how common names could be used across different families and cultures without implying a direct link or the infamous history of another.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "And these were the sons of Aholibamah... Esau’s wife": This segment clearly identifies the maternal source and the ultimate patriarchal head of the lineage, crucial for ancient Near Eastern genealogies which often establish tribal identity through prominent family lines. It ties these sons directly to a named wife and Esau.
  • "the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon": This phrase meticulously details Aholibamah's specific Horite ancestry, highlighting the blending of Esau's Semitic descendants with the pre-existing Horite inhabitants of Seir. This amalgamation of peoples eventually forms the nation of Edom. It underscores the multi-ethnic origins of the Edomites, a common pattern in the formation of ancient nations.
  • "Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah": These three names specify the particular male offspring born from this union, further fragmenting and multiplying the family line of Esau into distinct familial units that would later grow into clans and possibly local leaderships (chiefs, cf. Gen 36:40-43). The inclusion of multiple sons from a single wife highlights the rapid expansion of Esau's family.

Genesis 36 14 Bonus section

• Genealogies as Deeds/Title-deeds: In the ancient world, particularly among nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples, genealogical records functioned as much more than family trees. They often served as a form of "deed" or "title-deed" to land, defining inheritance, rights, and responsibilities. The extensive list of Esau's descendants, chiefs, and kings in Genesis 36 therefore legitimizes their claim to the land of Seir.
• The Problem of "Aholibamah": Scholarly discussions sometimes arise concerning the exact identity of Esau's wives in Genesis 26:34-35 and 28:9 versus 36:2-3, including the name "Basemath" which appears in both lists but seemingly refers to different women, and Aholibamah who is sometimes linked to Judith. While such textual variations can appear confusing, mainstream interpretation generally accepts that Esau had at least three wives, with the different names in varying contexts perhaps reflecting different appellations, tribal names, or simply multiple individuals sharing names or being recorded from different family perspectives. In Genesis 36:14, Aholibamah is unequivocally presented with her clear paternal lineage.
• Precursor to Tribal Formation: The detailed listing of sons, chiefs, and kings in Genesis 36 foreshadows the later systematic tribal organizations, such as those seen in Numbers, highlighting that Esau's descendants also developed a structured society, albeit outside the direct Abrahamic covenant.
• Edomite Kingship before Israelite: Genesis 36 astonishingly lists Edomite kings before any king reigned over the Israelites (Gen 36:31), hinting at Edom's early national and governmental development and highlighting a unique aspect of their history parallel to, yet distinct from, Israel's.

Genesis 36 14 Commentary

Genesis 36:14, like the rest of the chapter, serves primarily as a detailed genealogical record. While seemingly a dry list of names, its theological significance is profound. It demonstrates God's faithfulness in granting descendants not only to Jacob, but also to Esau, fulfilling the broader promise of fruitfulness. It provides the historical foundation for the nation of Edom, a perennial neighbor and sometimes adversary to Israel, explaining their distinct identity and tribal structure. By listing specific wives and their lineages, the text shows the integration of Esau's family with indigenous Horite peoples, shaping Edom's unique ethnic makeup. The mention of "Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon" particularly highlights the influence and intertwining of the Horite chieftains and families with Esau's lineage. This detail also subtly contrasts with the more "pure" lineage emphasized for Jacob's family in the continuation of the covenant promise. Moreover, genealogies like this are foundational for understanding the geographical and political landscape of the ancient world, as well as providing historical anchors for later prophetic pronouncements and inter-national relations. The appearance of the name Korah, shared by a different but infamous biblical figure, underscores the commonality of names across different lines and the necessity of context for accurate identification in Scripture. This verse quietly but definitively contributes to the grand tapestry of redemptive history by establishing the context of "Jacob and Esau" as two distinct nations ordained by God.