Genesis 36:36 kjv

And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

Genesis 36:36 nkjv

When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

Genesis 36:36 niv

When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.

Genesis 36:36 esv

Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

Genesis 36:36 nlt

When Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became king in his place.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 36 Meaning

Genesis 36:36 states that upon the death of King Hadad, Samlah, who was from Masrekah, became the new king in Edom. This verse is part of a detailed list documenting the successive kings of Edom, establishing their lineage and reign even before Israel had a king.

Genesis 36 36 Context

Genesis 36 is known as the "generations of Esau" and provides a detailed account of Esau's family, his descendants (clans and dukes), and importantly, a list of the kings who reigned in Edom. This chapter serves as a theological statement, demonstrating how God's promise to Esau of becoming a great nation and producing kings (Gen 27:39-40) was fulfilled, even though God's covenantal blessing remained primarily with Jacob. The specific verse (36) is part of a non-dynastic king list where one king succeeds another without necessarily being their son, signifying a different mode of succession compared to Israel's later monarchy. The inclusion of this extensive genealogy and king list highlights Edom's established nationhood, power, and independence prior to Israel's emergence as a united kingdom, serving as a backdrop for future interactions between the two sibling nations.

Genesis 36 36 Word analysis

• When Hadad died (וַיָּ֙מָת֙ הֲדַד֙ – wayyāmaṯ Haḏāḏ):
  • "Hadad" (הֲדַד): This name means "thunderer" or "strong one," possibly linked to a Canaanite storm deity. However, in this biblical context, it is solely the proper name of an Edomite king who reigned from the city of Avith and previously defeated the Midianites (Gen 36:35). The specific note of his death highlights human mortality, which is universal and applies even to powerful rulers.
  • "died" (מָּת – māṯ): The verb denotes the completion of a life, a finality common to all flesh (Heb 9:27, Eccl 3:2). It underscores the transient nature of earthly power and existence.
• Samlah of Masrekah (שַׂמְלָה֙ מִמַּשְׂרֵקָה֙ – śamlâ mimMasrēqâ):
  • "Samlah" (שַׂמְלָה): This name typically means "garment" or "cloak." As a personal name, it likely points to the individual's identity, though its specific significance here is unknown beyond its role as a proper noun for the succeeding king.
  • "Masrekah" (מַשְׂרֵקָה): A geographical designation indicating Samlah's origin. Its precise location is unknown today, but it firmly roots Samlah within an existing Edomite territory, emphasizing the nation's organized political structure with designated cities or regions associated with its leaders. The preposition "of" (מִן – min) here indicates belonging or origin.
• succeeded him as king (וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃ – wayyimlōḵ taḥtāw):
  • "succeeded" / "reigned" (יִמְלֹ֥ךְ – yimlōḵ): From the Hebrew verb מָלַךְ (mālak), meaning "to rule," "to reign," or "to be king." This term denotes a formal, recognized transfer of power and authority. It highlights the established nature of the Edomite monarchy, moving smoothly from one ruler to the next.
  • "him" (תַּחְתָּיו – taḥtāw): Literally "under him" or "in his place." This signifies a direct replacement, a seamless continuation of the kingly office, reinforcing the institutionalized monarchy of Edom.

Words-group analysis:

• "When Hadad died, Samlah... succeeded him as king": This concise phrase summarizes the essence of royal succession within the Edomite political system. It indicates a clear transfer of power from one sovereign to the next upon the former's death, highlighting the regular and orderly functioning of this monarchy. This succession takes place within a nation descended from Esau, demonstrating God's providence over all nations and His faithfulness to promises, even those made to Esau's lineage. The phrase implicitly points to the continuous nature of the Edomite kingdom over a period, marking distinct eras defined by different rulers.

Genesis 36 36 Bonus section

• The list of Edomite kings in Genesis 36 (vv.31-39) is unique in that these kings are noted not to be a dynastic succession from father to son. Instead, they are listed as ruling "one after another" (Hebrew, often translated as "then... and after him..."), often from different cities. This indicates a different form of succession (perhaps elected, military-based, or chieftain-based) compared to later Israelite and Judean monarchies, where sons often succeeded fathers. This non-dynastic structure suggests a fluid or evolving political system in early Edom.
• The meticulous detailing of Edomite history serves a broader biblical purpose: it not only fulfills the blessing on Esau but also provides context for later prophetic or historical accounts concerning Edom's relationship with Israel. The establishment of this "other" nation with its own lineage and kings highlights God's plan extending beyond just the chosen line of Jacob.
• While this specific verse might appear mundane in isolation, its placement within Genesis serves to contrast the "fruitfulness" of Esau's line in establishing a stable kingdom quickly, with Jacob's line, which remains tribal and wandering, dependent entirely on God's covenant, foreshadowing a later complex dynamic between these two peoples.

Genesis 36 36 Commentary

Genesis 36:36, though brief, provides vital information within the Edomite king list. It confirms the pattern of succession among Edom's early kings, noting the death of Hadad and the ascension of Samlah. This detail, like others in the chapter, is not merely genealogical but underscores the fulfilled prophecy regarding Esau's descendants forming a powerful nation with established leadership, including kings, well before Israel would do so (Gen 36:31). This structure emphasizes God's comprehensive sovereignty over the destinies of all peoples. The repetitive phrase of a king dying and another succeeding serves to underline the stable, though earthly and transient, nature of human kingdoms. It also indirectly sets a contrast: while Edom has an established monarchy, Israel is still developing through the patriarchs, under the direct rule and guidance of God rather than human kings, until a much later time.