Genesis 36:15 kjv
These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
Genesis 36:15 nkjv
These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar, Chief Zepho, Chief Kenaz,
Genesis 36:15 niv
These were the chiefs among Esau's descendants: The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
Genesis 36:15 esv
These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: the chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
Genesis 36:15 nlt
These are the descendants of Esau who became the leaders of various clans: The descendants of Esau's oldest son, Eliphaz, became the leaders of the clans of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz,
Genesis 36 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 10:5 | By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands... | Pattern of nations dividing by clans/lands. |
| Gen 17:6 | I will make you exceedingly fruitful... kings shall come from you. | God's promise of nations/rulers from Abraham. |
| Gen 25:23 | "Two nations are in your womb...the older shall serve the younger." | Foreshadowing Esau (Edom) becoming a nation. |
| Gen 25:30 | "So his name was called Edom." | Esau's alternate name, giving rise to Edom. |
| Gen 36:10 | These were the names of Esau's sons...Eliphaz... | Introduces Esau's sons. |
| Gen 36:11 | The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho... | Lists Eliphaz's direct sons, becoming chiefs. |
| Gen 36:31 | These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king... | Distinction between "chiefs" and later "kings". |
| Num 20:14 | Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom... | Later Edomite monarchy interaction with Israel. |
| Deut 23:7-8 | "You shall not detest an Edomite...for he is your brother." | Instructions for treating Edom, due to lineage. |
| Judg 1:13 | Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother... | Mention of Kenaz's lineage (potentially related) |
| 1 Chr 1:35 | The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush... | Parallel genealogy of Esau's sons. |
| 1 Chr 1:36 | The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi... | Parallel names of Eliphaz's sons/chiefs. |
| Ps 83:6 | The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites... | Edom listed among Israel's adversaries. |
| Is 34:5 | My sword is sated in heaven; behold, it descends on Edom... | Prophetic judgment against Edom. |
| Jer 49:7 | "Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent...?" | Teman associated with wisdom, major Edomite clan. |
| Ez 25:13 | "Therefore thus says the Lord God, I will stretch out my hand against Edom" | Prophecy of God's judgment on Edom. |
| Obad 1:1-2 | Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: "I will make you small... | Extensive prophecy focusing on Edom's pride and fall. |
| Rom 9:13 | As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." | Divine election distinction between nations. |
| Heb 11:8-9 | By faith Abraham obeyed...lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob... | Patriarchal narrative focusing on chosen line. |
Genesis 36 verses
Genesis 36 15 Meaning
Genesis 36:15 lists the initial tribal leaders, or "chiefs," who descended from Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn son. This verse, situated within the genealogy of Esau (also known as Edom), specifically details four of these chiefs: Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Kenaz. It serves to identify foundational clan heads within the early Edomite nation, demonstrating the growth and structure of Esau's progeny into distinct tribal entities.Genesis 36 15 Context
Genesis 36:15 is situated within an extensive genealogical record of Esau and his descendants, highlighting the growth of his lineage into the Edomite nation. This chapter serves as a deliberate "sidebar" in the Genesis narrative, providing a complete account of Esau's progeny before the main story fully transitions to Jacob's twelve sons and the development of the nation of Israel. By detailing the "chiefs" (אַלּוּף - 'alluph) of Edom, the chapter emphasizes that Esau, like Jacob, fulfilled God's promise to Rebekah of two nations stemming from her womb (Gen 25:23).Historically and culturally, these genealogies were crucial for ancient Near Eastern societies, defining tribal identity, land claims, and social hierarchy. The mention of "chiefs" points to an early tribal organization structure prevalent among nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples, distinguishing it from later centralized monarchies (like the "kings" mentioned in Gen 36:31-39, who reigned in Edom before any king reigned over Israel). The names listed—Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz—represent foundational clans from which later Edomite territories and societal structures developed. The detailing of Esau's line parallel to Jacob's illustrates God's sovereign work with both nations, though through different covenant paths.
Genesis 36 15 Word analysis
- These: Refers directly to the named individuals following in the list. It points to a specific enumeration within the larger genealogy.
- were the chiefs (אַלּוּף - 'alluph): The Hebrew term 'alluph (plural 'alluphim) denotes a tribal head, chieftain, or duke. It implies leadership over a specific family unit or a "thousand" (related to the root 'eleph, meaning "thousand"), suggesting a substantial clan or military division. This term signifies a leader in a patriarchal, decentralized tribal system, distinguishing them from kings (מֶלֶךְ - melekh), who would rule later over a more unified monarchy. Its usage here depicts an organized, yet perhaps less centralized, governmental structure in early Edom.
- of the sons of Esau: Specifies the patriarchal lineage of these chiefs, confirming their descent from Esau, also known as Edom, thus linking them to the origins of the Edomite nation.
- the sons of Eliphaz: Identifies the direct parental line for these particular chiefs. Eliphaz was Esau's firstborn son.
- the firstborn of Esau: Reinforces the prominent status of Eliphaz and, by extension, his descendants, within the Edomite hierarchy due to the ancient Near Eastern tradition of primogeniture. While Esau himself lost his birthright spiritually, his literal firstborn son still held seniority in his own burgeoning nation.
- chief Teman (תֵּימָן - Teyman): A prominent Edomite clan, and later a significant geographical region within Edom. Teman became so well-known that "Temanites" are sometimes referenced in other biblical texts, particularly in connection with wisdom (Job's friend Eliphaz the Temanite, Jer 49:7, Obad 1:9). Its repeated mention implies it was a significant division.
- chief Omar (אוֹמָר - Owmar): Another clan chief. Less prominent in later biblical narratives compared to Teman, but still an established family line.
- chief Zepho (צְפוֹ - Tsepho): Also listed as Zephi (צְפִי - Tsephi) in 1 Chronicles 1:36. Another established Edomite clan.
- chief Kenaz (קְנַז - Qenaz): Another clan chief from Eliphaz's line. The name Kenaz also appears in the Israelite tribe of Judah, leading to some historical scholarly discussion about potential early interactions or intermarriages between these lineages, though in this verse it clearly denotes an Edomite clan.
Words-group analysis:
- "These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau": This phrase directly introduces the primary subject of the verse: specific leaders within the broad lineage of Esau. It sets the stage for a detailed enumeration of clan heads in Edom.
- "the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau": This precise genealogical marker clarifies that the ensuing list of chiefs pertains specifically to the offspring of Esau's eldest son, establishing a clear line of succession and hierarchy within the nascent Edomite societal structure.
- "chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz": This repetitive pattern of "chief [Name]" directly identifies each individual as a distinct clan leader, underscoring the established and segmented tribal organization developing within Edom. The names represent the earliest documented significant branches of Eliphaz's progeny.