Genesis 36:33 kjv

And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

Genesis 36:33 nkjv

And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.

Genesis 36:33 niv

When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.

Genesis 36:33 esv

Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.

Genesis 36:33 nlt

When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah became king in his place.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 33 Meaning

This verse continues the historical record of Edomite kings who reigned before any king reigned over Israel. It states that Jobab, who was from Bozrah, died, and Husham, originating from the land of the Temanites, then became king in his place. It outlines a systematic and orderly succession of power within the Edomite nation, showcasing their established political structure.

Genesis 36 33 Context

Genesis chapter 36 serves as a detailed genealogy of Esau (Edom), his descendants, chiefs, and kings. This chapter provides a historical framework for understanding the nation of Edom, Israel's sibling nation through Isaac. Specifically, verses 31-39 list a series of eight kings who ruled Edom sequentially, deliberately noting that their reigns preceded the establishment of a king in Israel. This establishes Edom as an organized political entity with an established monarchy long before Israel unified under a monarchy. The meticulous record, including specific geographical origins like "Bozrah" for Jobab and "the land of the Temanites" for Husham, demonstrates the biblical writer's focus on historical detail and the established nature of the Edomite kingdom. It helps to delineate the national identities and historical trajectories of both Israel and Edom.

Genesis 36 33 Word analysis

• When Jobab died:
  • Jobab (יוֹבָב, Yovav): The proper name of an Edomite king. This specific Jobab is the second king in the list of "kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites," having succeeded Bela (Gen 36:32). His mention ties this specific historical lineage to a particular known region within Edom, Bozrah.
  • died (מֵת, met): A simple verb denoting natural demise. Its inclusion signifies the passing of authority due to a biological end, leading to the necessary act of succession. This is a common phrase in king lists, emphasizing the natural transition of power from one monarch to the next.
• Husham (חוּשָׁם, Chusham): The personal name of the Edomite king who assumed the throne after Jobab. Like other names in this genealogy, it contributes to the authenticity and specificity of the historical record, indicating unique individuals who held royal office in Edom.
• from the land of the Temanites (מֵאֶרֶץ הַתֵּימָנִי, me'eretz haTemani):
  • land (אֶרֶץ, eretz): Refers to a specific territory or geographical domain. It suggests a region with a distinct identity or power base from which Husham hailed.
  • the Temanites (הַתֵּימָנִי, haTemani): A significant tribal and geographical identifier within Edom. Teman was a prominent grandson of Esau (Gen 36:11, son of Eliphaz), and the region became an important administrative and intellectual center in Edom, known for its wise men (Jer 49:7). This specific reference links Husham to a recognized and influential part of the Edomite nation, historically placing him within the existing Edomite sociopolitical fabric. It also has a well-known extra-biblical connection to Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's friends.
• succeeded him as king (וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו, vayyimloch tachTav):
  • succeeded him (וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו, vayyimloch tachTav): Literally translates to "and he reigned in his place" or "after him." The verb malak (מָלַךְ) explicitly denotes exercising royal authority. The phrase clearly indicates a structured and orderly transition of power. This contrasts with chaotic transfers of power sometimes seen in early tribal societies, highlighting the established nature of Edom's monarchy.
  • as king: Reaffirms Husham's status as a reigning monarch, holding supreme authority within the Edomite state.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "When Jobab died, Husham...succeeded him as king": This clause details the linear and structured progression of the Edomite monarchy. It underscores a stable succession model, suggesting an organized political system rather than ad-hoc leadership. This regularity implies the robust establishment of kingship within Esau's descendants early in their national history.
  • "Husham from the land of the Temanites": This phrase highlights the territorial and clan affiliations of the new king. It indicates that Edom was comprised of distinct regions or powerful clans, and that the kingship was drawn from within these established societal divisions, providing depth and authenticity to the record. It roots Husham geographically within a known and influential part of Edom, lending specific historical credence to the account.

Genesis 36 33 Bonus section

• Historical and Archaeological Support: While direct archaeological confirmation for individual kings like Jobab or Husham from this very early period is difficult, the archaeological evidence broadly supports the existence of developed and often complex societal structures, including powerful leaders and proto-state entities in the Transjordanian region, including Edom, prior to Israel's united monarchy. This contextualizes the biblical portrayal of an early Edomite kingdom as historically plausible within its ancient Near Eastern setting.
• Literary Purpose: The precise details within Gen 36, including verses like 33, demonstrate the meticulous nature of the biblical genealogies. These are not random lists but serve a vital function in tracking the fulfillment of God’s promises of progeny and nationhood to both Jacob and Esau, providing a backdrop against which the story of Israel can unfold with clarity and historical depth. They underscore God's sovereignty over the historical trajectories of all nations.

Genesis 36 33 Commentary

Genesis 36:33 is more than a simple record of names; it is a concise statement about the enduring and well-organized nature of the Edomite kingdom. This verse, like others in the chapter's king list, highlights that Edom had an established, hereditary or successive monarchy even before Israel. This detail is significant as it provides context for Israel’s later request for a king “like all the other nations” (1 Sam 8:5). The consistent phrase "succeeded him as king" indicates an orderly and mature political system, distinct from less structured tribal governance. The mention of "the land of the Temanites" for Husham is crucial. Teman was a major region and clan within Edom, historically associated with wisdom and later serving as a central geographical marker in prophetic condemnations of Edom (Amos 1:12, Jer 49:7, Obadiah 1:9). This precise geographic detail grounds the biblical account in concrete historical and cultural reality, emphasizing that God's overarching historical narrative includes even the developments of nations outside the direct covenant line of Israel.