Genesis 36:25 kjv

And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.

Genesis 36:25 nkjv

These were the children of Anah: Dishon and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.

Genesis 36:25 niv

The children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.

Genesis 36:25 esv

These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah.

Genesis 36:25 nlt

The descendants of Anah were his son, Dishon, and his daughter, Oholibamah.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 25 Meaning

Genesis 36:25 details a specific branch of the Horite genealogy, focusing on Anah, a key figure among the indigenous inhabitants of Seir (Edom). The verse identifies his descendants: a son named Dishon, and significantly, Aholibamah, who is explicitly named as Anah's daughter. This clarifies Aholibamah's immediate familial ties within the Horite lineage, emphasizing her direct relationship to Anah. As Aholibamah is known to be one of Esau's wives, this verse therefore intricately links Esau's lineage to the native Horite aristocracy of Edom through a prominent female line.

Genesis 36 25 Context

Genesis chapter 36 serves as a genealogical interlude, meticulously recording the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). Following the reunion of Jacob and Esau, and Esau's departure to Mount Seir, this chapter outlines the patriarchal lines that formed the Edomite nation. The initial verses list Esau's wives and his first children. The chapter then diverges to detail the Horite inhabitants, led by Seir, who resided in the land before Esau's arrival and with whom Esau's family intermarried and integrated.

Verse 25 is embedded within this section on the Horites, specifically the lineage stemming from Zibeon. This particular verse provides clarity regarding the identity of Aholibamah, one of Esau's significant wives mentioned earlier in the chapter. The seeming contradiction of Anah being a "son of Seir" (36:20) and also a "son of Zibeon" (36:24) is often resolved by understanding that the initial listing of Seir's sons establishes primary Horite clan leaders, and subsequent verses like 36:24 and 36:25 offer a more precise, direct filial relationship. Therefore, the Anah mentioned here as the father of Aholibamah is widely understood to be the son of Zibeon. The purpose of such detailed genealogy is to demonstrate the origins and formation of the Edomite nation, distinct from, yet related to, the Israelites through their common ancestor Isaac. It maps the power structures (chiefs) and familial intermingling between the indigenous Horites and Esau's descendants, showcasing the development of Edom as a mixed but unified entity.

Genesis 36 25 Word analysis

• These were the sons of Anah:
  • These: Refers directly to the subsequent names, signaling a continuation of the genealogical list.
  • were the sons: The Hebrew word banim (בָּנִים) translated as "sons" can refer broadly to descendants, including children, grandchildren, or even members of a clan. In this verse, it encompasses both a direct male offspring (Dishon) and a direct female offspring (Aholibamah), demonstrating its wider usage beyond only male heirs.
• Anah: The Hebrew name is ʻAnah (עֲנָה). As discussed in the context, this is the Anah who is identified in Gen 36:24 as the "son of Zibeon" and who discovered the yemim (יוּמִים) – debated as either hot springs/mules/donkeys. This detail sets him apart and explains why his descendants are highlighted. His name signifies "answering" or "humble" but the etymology itself does not add significant thematic meaning to this genealogical context. His role as father to a prominent figure is his primary biblical significance.
• Dishon: This is a male personal name. The inclusion of a clear male descendant confirms Anah's direct paternal lineage through a son, reinforcing the standard patrilineal record-keeping even before the significant female descendant.
• and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah:
  • and Aholibamah: The Hebrew name is Oholibamah (אָהֳלִיבָמָה). She is pivotal here because she is named multiple times in Gen 36 as a wife of Esau and a mother of significant Edomite chiefs (Gen 36:5, 14, 18, 41). Her specific mention underlines her importance for the merging of Esau's line with the indigenous Horite elite. Her name means "tent of the high place" or "my tent is a high place," possibly reflecting a pre-Israelite religious significance or her family's status.
  • the daughter of Anah: The Hebrew phrase is bat-ʻAnah (בַּת עֲנָה), directly stating "daughter of Anah." This phrase is crucial for clarifying Oholibamah's immediate familial relationship and for linking Esau's family into the detailed Horite structure. The specific mention of her mother in 36:2, daughter of Zibeon, makes Oholibamah the granddaughter of Zibeon, reconciling the multiple Anah references and solidifying the lineage. Her individual lineage is critical because Esau marries into her family, forming a key bond between the newcomers and the indigenous people.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "These were the sons of Anah: Dishon, and Aholibamah...": This phrasing clearly delineates Anah's direct descendants, highlighting the mixed-gender nature of those explicitly listed. The use of "sons" (banim) here, followed by the specific naming of both a male (Dishon) and a female (Aholibamah), showcases the inclusive usage of "sons" as encompassing all direct children, while also giving specific importance to Oholibamah by explicitly stating "daughter of Anah."

Genesis 36 25 Bonus section

The genealogical meticulousness concerning Aholibamah, a female figure, in a predominantly male-centric listing like Genesis 36 is noteworthy. Her precise lineage is specified multiple times (Gen 36:2, 14, 25), indicating her significant status. This focus suggests that her connection through Anah and Zibeon provided considerable tribal authority and legitimacy for Esau's developing Edomite nation, demonstrating the practical and social importance of maternal lineage in tribal alliances and the establishment of authority in early patriarchal societies. The emphasis on specific figures like Anah who "found the yemim" (Gen 36:24), further embeds a narrative detail into a genealogical record, enriching the understanding of early tribal history and leadership within Edom.

Genesis 36 25 Commentary

Genesis 36:25 functions as a vital piece within the elaborate genealogical tapestry of Edom. Far from being a mere list, it precisely traces the lineage of Aholibamah, Esau's influential wife, solidifying her paternal link to Anah, a distinct Horite figure known for his unique discovery (Gen 36:24). This specificity resolves a potential ambiguity within the chapter regarding Anah's parentage by affirming that Aholibamah's father is the Anah who is the son of Zibeon, an established Horite chieftain. The verse underscores the significant intermarriage between Esau's migrant family and the aboriginal Horite aristocracy, revealing how the Edomite nation formed through the integration of these distinct lines rather than just Esau's progeny. This intricate detailing of lineage emphasizes divine order and the fulfillment of God's command to multiply nations, even beyond the Abrahamic covenant line of Jacob.