Genesis 36:31 kjv

And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

Genesis 36:31 nkjv

Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel:

Genesis 36:31 niv

These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:

Genesis 36:31 esv

These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites.

Genesis 36:31 nlt

These are the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king ruled over the Israelites :

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 31 Meaning

Genesis 36:31 states a chronological marker: "These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites." This verse serves as an editorial note within the genealogies of Esau, known as Edom. It highlights that the Edomites, descendants of Esau, had established a monarchy before the descendants of Jacob (Israel) ever had a king. This emphasizes Edom's development as a political entity, placing their early organizational structure in historical context relative to the nascent Israelite nation, whose kingship would emerge centuries later.

Genesis 36 31 Context

Genesis chapter 36 is primarily a detailed genealogy of Esau, known as Edom. It systematically lists his wives, sons, grandsons, and ultimately the chiefs (tribal leaders) and kings who descended from him and resided in the land of Seir/Edom. The chapter underscores the fulfillment of God's promise that Esau would become a great nation, running parallel to the development of Jacob's (Israel's) descendants. Verse 31 specifically acts as an interjection, or an editorial note, serving as a historical marker for the readers. It sets the timeframe for the preceding list of Edomite kings, emphasizing that their period of monarchy predated the establishment of Israel's own kingdom. This highlights the early political maturity of the Edomites in comparison to the Israelites, who were still structured tribally before their eventual request for a human king. Historically, this notation is crucial, indicating that the account was likely compiled or written from a perspective after the Israelite monarchy was in place, possibly by Moses with divine foresight or later editors inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 36 31 Word analysis

• These: (Hebrew: וְאֵלֶּה, ve'elleh) - "And these." A common transitional conjunction used to introduce a list or continuation, tying the upcoming information to what has preceded it, specifically the detailed lineage of Esau. It underscores the importance of the list that follows.
• are the kings: (Hebrew: הַמְּלָכִים, hammelakhim) - "the kings." The definite article "the" indicates specific individuals known in their context. The term "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melekh) denotes a ruler or monarch, signifying a formal, centralized system of governance, distinct from the tribal chieftaincies also mentioned in Genesis 36. This early adoption of a formal kingship for Edom is significant for the following contrast.
• who reigned: (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר מָלְכוּ, asher malkhu) - "who ruled" or "who became king." The verb מָלַךְ (malakh), "to reign" or "to be king," emphasizes the active exercise of monarchical power. This highlights their political development and their organized state existence.
• in the land of Edom: (Hebrew: בְּאֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם, b'eretz Edom) - "in the land of Edom." This geographical specification identifies the territory governed by these kings. "Edom" (אֱדוֹם), named after Esau, represents a distinct nation whose lineage and territory were prominent in early biblical history.
• before: (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי, lifnei) - "in the face of," "before (in time or presence)." Here, it is used in a temporal sense, establishing a chronological precedence. It sets up a critical historical marker for the narrative.
• any king reigned: (Hebrew: מְלָךְ מְלֹךְ, melakh melokh) - This is a construct infinitive followed by an absolute infinitive, creating an intensive construction meaning "a reigning king reigned" or "any reign of a king." This emphatic repetition emphasizes the concept of established kingship. It refers to a period where kingship was fully exercised and formally in place.
• over the Israelites: (Hebrew: לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, livnei Yisrael) - "to the sons of Israel," or "over the Israelites." This directly refers to the descendants of Jacob. The juxtaposition of Edom and Israel highlights their distinct historical trajectories. While Edom swiftly embraced human kingship, Israel’s monarchy was divinely appointed and came much later, often in response to their desire to be "like other nations" rather than trusting solely in divine leadership.

Genesis 36 31 Bonus section

The mention of Edomite kings predating Israelite kings points to a significant period of approximately 700-800 years from the time of Esau and Jacob to the establishment of Israel's monarchy under Saul. This highlights the patient and gradual working of God's plan for Israel, rather than a rapid, human-driven political formation. It implicitly supports the idea that the book of Genesis was compiled or authored at a time when the Israelite monarchy was already a recognized historical fact, lending credence to a cohesive, retrospective view within the Pentateuch that ties historical narrative to later covenantal and political developments. Furthermore, it subtly differentiates the Edomite kingdom as more of an earthly establishment compared to Israel's, whose kingdom, though human in form, was profoundly rooted in divine election and covenant promises for a much grander redemptive purpose, culminating in the reign of Christ, the true King of Israel.

Genesis 36 31 Commentary

Genesis 36:31 is a brief but profound statement. It acts as a chronological bookmark within the expansive genealogical records of Esau. The immediate presence of formalized kingship among the Edomites underscores their early establishment as a politically structured nation. This is in direct contrast to the Israelites, who for centuries operated as a tribal confederation, ruled directly by God or through judges, before requesting and receiving their first human king, Saul.

This historical note can be understood from several perspectives:

1. Editorial Foresight: The phrase "before any king reigned over the Israelites" points to the knowledge of a later period when Israel did have kings. This either suggests prophetic foresight granted to Moses or a later editorial hand (under divine inspiration) compiling the sacred texts. This does not diminish the truthfulness or divine inspiration of Genesis, but speaks to its ongoing revelatory nature across time.
2. Contrast of Kingdoms: Edom's early, presumably self-instituted, kingship highlights a common pattern among ancient Near Eastern nations. Israel's delayed monarchy, and its specific theological framework (Deut 17:14-20 outlining the king's limitations under divine law), demonstrates a distinct, divinely ordered approach to governance. While Edom's kingship emerged naturally, Israel's was part of God's covenantal plan, yet initially requested by the people rather than purely initiated by God's explicit command at that moment.
3. Divine Providence: Even in Esau's line, God's promise to make him a great nation (Gen 27:29, 39-40) is clearly fulfilled. This shows God's sovereignty extends even to those not directly in the Abrahamic covenant line that led to Israel, demonstrating His broader reign over all nations.

The verse is a subtle reminder that God works out His plans in His timing, and not necessarily according to the apparent chronological or developmental superiority of one nation over another in human terms. It speaks to the unique covenant path of Israel, even as other nations followed more conventional patterns of political evolution.