Genesis 36 34

Genesis 36:34 kjv

And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.

Genesis 36:34 nkjv

When Jobab died, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

Genesis 36:34 niv

When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.

Genesis 36:34 esv

Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

Genesis 36:34 nlt

When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites became king in his place.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 34 meaning

Genesis 36:34 states a straightforward succession event within the royal lineage of Edom: Upon the death of King Jobab, Husham, who originated from the region of the Temanites, ascended to the throne of Edom. This verse is part of a detailed genealogical record and king list of Esau's descendants, emphasizing the continuity of organized leadership in Edom during this period.

Genesis 36 34 Context

Genesis chapter 36 serves primarily as the genealogy of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. It details his descendants, their wives, and the chiefs and kings who ruled in Edom. This comprehensive record emphasizes that Esau, though secondary to Jacob in the divine plan for the covenant, also became the progenitor of a significant and organized nation, distinct from Israel.

Verse 34 specifically is part of a list of eight Edomite kings who ruled "before any king reigned over the Israelites" (Gen 36:31). This temporal marker is crucial: it positions Edom as having an established, albeit non-dynastic, monarchy well before the unified kingdom of Israel under Saul and David. This indicates a certain level of political and social organization in Edom at an early stage. Historically, the Edomites, descended from Esau, occupied the mountainous region southeast of the Dead Sea, a strategic trade route area. The inclusion of specific rulers like Jobab and Husham, and their regional origins like the Temanites, suggests a form of leadership where rulers might have been drawn from prominent tribes or cities within the broader Edomite confederation.

Genesis 36 34 Word analysis

• When Jobab died:

  • When: Not merely a temporal marker but signals the end of one reign and the transition to the next. Implies a continuity of power structure.
  • Jobab: (יוֹבָב, Yovav) The name of the previous king. This specific detail maintains the annalistic style, indicating an exact record. Its simple mention highlights that even prominent rulers are subject to the universal truth of mortality.
  • died: (יָמֻת, yamut) The standard Hebrew verb for dying. This common phrase underlines the natural end of human life, even for kings, contrasting the temporal nature of their rule with God's eternal sovereignty.

• Husham: (חוּשָׁם, Husham) The name of the successor king. Like Jobab, it is presented as a proper noun with no further etymological detail given in the text itself. The inclusion of specific names gives the record historical weight and precision.

• from the land of the Temanites:

  • from the land of: Indicates geographical origin. It roots the king not just in Edom but in a specific region, highlighting a diverse tribal base for the early Edomite monarchy.
  • the Temanites: (הַתֵּימָנִי, hatteimani) Derived from Teman (תֵּימָן), which was a prominent region and city in Edom, named after Esau's grandson (Gen 36:11, 15). Teman was notably associated with wisdom in ancient Near Eastern thought, as seen with Eliphaz the Temanite, one of Job's counselors (Job 2:11). The reference suggests that Husham hailed from a well-known and perhaps influential part of Edom, potentially implying resources or leadership qualities from that region. Its mention points to the importance of tribal or regional identity in early kingship.

• succeeded him as king: (וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו, vayyimloch tachTav)

  • succeeded him: (תַּחְתָּיו, tachTav, literally "under him" or "in his place") Standard Hebrew idiom for succession, conveying that Husham took Jobab's exact place of authority.
  • as king: (וַיִּמְלֹךְ, vayyimloch, "and he reigned") This verb explicitly states his royal ascension and function. This common formula in ancient Near Eastern records emphasizes the continuity of state power despite the change in ruler, demonstrating an established system of governance. It reinforces the idea of Edom as an organized kingdom.

Words-group Analysis:

• "When Jobab died, Husham... succeeded him as king": This sequence illustrates the orderly transition of power in Edom. Despite the kings not being from a single dynastic line, there was an established process for kingship, showing the robustness of Edom's early political structure. The emphasis is on succession and governance, portraying a functioning kingdom.

• "Husham from the land of the Temanites": This phrase highlights the regional origins of the king. Unlike later Israelite dynastic succession, these early Edomite kings appear to have come from various parts of the territory (Gen 36:31-39 lists kings from several cities like Dinhabah, Bozrah, Teman, Pai/Pau). This suggests a possible tribal confederacy where leadership rotated or was elected from different prominent regions rather than inherited strictly by bloodline. It adds to the specificity and realism of the record.

Genesis 36 34 Bonus section

• The distinct non-dynastic nature of these early Edomite kings (e.g., this list does not mention "son of" for successors, and the geographic origins change with each king) stands in contrast to the later emphasis on dynastic succession for Israel's kings, particularly the Davidic dynasty. This highlights a different form of monarchy or state-building.
• The meticulous detail of the Edomite king list, including names, predecessors, and even tribal origins, is comparable to other ancient Near Eastern royal annals or king lists, demonstrating a concern for historical record-keeping.
• The fact that these kings ruled before any king reigned over Israel (Gen 36:31) serves not just as a chronological marker but might also implicitly set a historical stage. It suggests that Edom was a well-established entity that Israel would later interact with—sometimes as allies, often as rivals or adversaries—but always as a recognized people with a history of their own.

Genesis 36 34 Commentary

Genesis 36:34, though a seemingly brief genealogical entry, is profoundly significant. It continues the list of kings who ruled Edom before Israel had its own monarch, setting Edom as an ancient and politically organized nation parallel to, yet distinct from, Jacob's lineage. The phrase "When Jobab died, Husham...succeeded him as king" reveals an established protocol for royal transitions, suggesting a degree of stability and continuity in Edomite governance even if the succession was non-dynastic. The explicit mention of "from the land of the Temanites" is a rich detail. It anchors King Husham to a specific and renowned region within Edom, historically known for its wisdom (Jer 49:7) and connected to a notable figure like Eliphaz in the Book of Job. This detail underlines the particularity of this king's background, and it points to a political landscape where leadership might emerge from various influential tribes or geographic areas rather than being confined to a single ruling family. This non-dynastic characteristic sets Edom's early monarchy apart from the later dynastic pattern of Israel under David. Ultimately, this verse, like others in Genesis 36, paints a detailed picture of Edom's societal development, illustrating that God's sovereign plan extends even to nations outside the immediate covenant lineage, permitting their rise and structured existence within His larger historical narrative. The temporary nature of these earthly reigns (indicated by "died") subtly reminds us of God's eternal reign over all kingdoms (Dan 2:20-21).