Genesis 36:32 kjv

And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

Genesis 36:32 nkjv

Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

Genesis 36:32 niv

Bela son of Beor became king of Edom. His city was named Dinhabah.

Genesis 36:32 esv

Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom, the name of his city being Dinhabah.

Genesis 36:32 nlt

Bela son of Beor, who ruled in Edom from his city of Dinhabah.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 32 Meaning

Genesis 36:32 records the specific detail of Bela, son of Beor, reigning as a king in Edom, with his capital city identified as Dinhabah. This verse is part of a list chronicling the early rulers of Edom, the descendants of Esau, prior to the establishment of kingship in Israel. It provides historical and genealogical information, affirming the development of a distinct national identity and governmental structure among the Edomites in their designated territory.

Genesis 36 32 Context

Genesis 36 details the genealogy of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, whose descendants became the nation of Edom. This chapter meticulously records Esau's family, his wives, children, and ultimately, the chieftains and kings that arose from his lineage. Verses 31-43 specifically list the "kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the sons of Israel."

This placement is highly significant. Following the detailed narrative of Jacob's descendants (who would become Israel), this seemingly dry genealogical record establishes Edom as a developed nation with a system of kingship before Israel even desired or had its first human king (Saul). It highlights that Edom, though related through Esau, developed distinctly and was a fully formed kingdom even as God's chosen people, Israel, were still evolving as tribal communities under a divine theocracy. This emphasis on pre-Israelite kingship subtly reinforces the unique nature of God's covenant with Israel and the particular timing and manner in which their own kingship would be established under divine guidance.

Historically, Edom was located south and east of the Dead Sea, primarily in the mountainous region of Seir. The mention of specific kings and cities (like Dinhabah) grounds this genealogical list in a tangible, historical reality, underscoring the reliability of the biblical record regarding the existence and structure of ancient nations surrounding Israel.

Genesis 36 32 Word analysis

• And (וְ - wə): A conjunction, common in Hebrew, linking this verse to the preceding context of the Edomite king list. It denotes continuation.
• Bela (בֶּלַע - Bela‘): Means "swallowing," "devouring." This name, while descriptive of power, does not necessarily imply character but fits a leader. He is the first king listed after the general statement about Edomite kings.
• the son of (בֶּן־ - ben-): A standard genealogical connector, signifying direct male descent and establishing lineage within patriarchal societies.
• Beor (בְּעוֹר - Bə‘ōr): This name means "burning" or "consuming." It is crucial to note that while a "Beor" is mentioned as the father of Balaam the prophet (Num 22:5), biblical scholars generally conclude that this "Beor" (father of Bela of Edom) is a distinct individual from the father of Balaam, who was from Mesopotamia. Any association between these two is generally incorrect given the context.
• reigned (מָלַךְ - mālak): Hebrew verb for "to be king," "to rule," "to reign." It signifies the establishment and exercise of sovereign authority over a territory and its people, denoting an organized political system. This emphasizes Edom's development as a political entity.
• in Edom (בְּאֶדֹום - bə-’ĕḏōm): The land and people descended from Esau. Edom means "red," likely referring to Esau's ruddy complexion at birth or the red sandstone of the Seir mountains where they settled. It grounds Bela's reign in a specific, identifiable geopolitical region.
• and the name of his city (וְשֵׁם עִירֹו - wə-šēm ‘îrōw): "And name of his city." Shem means "name," ‘îrōw (his city) likely refers to his capital or primary seat of power. Mentioning the capital city provides further geographical and historical detail, highlighting the administrative center of his kingdom.
• was Dinhabah (דִּנְהָבָה - Dinəhāḇāh): The name of Bela's city. Its exact location is unknown, but etymologically, Dinhabah could derive from elements meaning "judgment" (din) and "gold" or "give" (habah). Some suggest "place of judgment" or "where judgment is given." This specific naming contributes to the historical grounding of the narrative.

Words-group analysis:

• Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: This phrase introduces the first named Edomite king, providing his name, patrilineal identity, and the territory over which he exercised sovereignty. It marks the commencement of a formal monarchical line in Edom.
• the name of his city was Dinhabah: This provides the specific capital or royal city associated with King Bela. The mention of the capital anchors the king's rule to a fixed, administrative center, emphasizing the organizational structure of this nascent kingdom.

Genesis 36 32 Bonus section

The seemingly minor details in verses like Genesis 36:32 serve several profound purposes within the broader biblical narrative:

• God's Sovereignty Over Gentile Nations: These lists subtly demonstrate God's providence extending beyond Israel. He is the God of all creation, and His hand is evident even in the organization of nations not directly chosen for the Abrahamic covenant. This reinforces that all authority, including kingly power, ultimately stems from Him.
• The Uniqueness of Israel: By noting Edom had kings before Israel, the text implicitly highlights Israel's distinct calling. Their journey to nationhood and kingship was to be guided by divine instruction, not merely follow the common pattern of surrounding peoples.
• Preparing the Ground for Prophecy: The detailed listing of Edomite kings and territories sets a tangible historical backdrop against which later prophecies concerning Edom (e.g., Obadiah, Jeremiah, Malachi) would be understood. These prophecies frequently speak of Edom's pride, enmity towards Israel, and eventual desolation, emphasizing that God, who oversees the very first kings, also oversees their ultimate downfall.
• A Fulfilment of Blessing: Esau received a blessing from Isaac concerning dwelling away from fertile lands and living by the sword (Gen 27:39-40), indicating a distinct, powerful nation. The detailed king list confirms the material fulfillment of this patriarchal blessing for Esau's line, distinct from Jacob's, establishing their nation as powerful enough to sustain successive rulers.

Genesis 36 32 Commentary

Genesis 36:32, within the larger list of Edomite kings, serves primarily as a historical and genealogical record. Far from being merely dry data, its inclusion highlights God's comprehensive oversight of all nations, even those outside the direct lineage of the Abrahamic covenant promises, such as Edom (Esau's descendants). The meticulous detail of names, parentage, and capital cities testifies to the biblical commitment to historical accuracy and demonstrates that God is actively involved in the rise and fall of nations and the establishment of their rulers.

The fact that these kings ruled "before any king reigned over the sons of Israel" (Gen 36:31) implicitly contrasts Edom's established monarchical structure with Israel's divinely led development. While Edom adopted kingship like the surrounding nations, Israel's own request for a king later was viewed, in part, as a rejection of God's direct rule (1 Sam 8:7). This list reminds the reader that even outside the immediate covenant, God permits and orchestrates the development of human political structures as part of His broader sovereign plan for history and redemption, ultimately setting the stage for the specific trajectory of His chosen people, Israel, within this geopolitical landscape.