Genesis 36:41 kjv

Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,

Genesis 36:41 nkjv

Chief Aholibamah, Chief Elah, Chief Pinon,

Genesis 36:41 niv

Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,

Genesis 36:41 esv

Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,

Genesis 36:41 nlt

Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon,

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 41 Meaning

Genesis 36:41 identifies three more "dukes" or tribal chieftains within Edom: Oholibamah, Elah, and Pinon. These individuals represent key clan leaders or distinct territorial divisions among the descendants of Esau. This verse concludes a list detailing the extensive establishment and political organization of the Edomite nation, showcasing their distinct leadership structure as part of God's broader ordering of peoples.

Genesis 36 41 Context

Genesis chapter 36 serves as a detailed genealogical account of Esau's descendants, emphasizing the formation and establishment of the nation of Edom. The chapter meticulously lists Esau's wives, children, and their progeny, detailing the "clans" or "tribes" (represented by "dukes"). Importantly, it also lists kings who reigned in Edom before any king reigned in Israel (Gen 36:31-39), indicating Edom's early political sophistication. Genesis 36:40-43 provides a final list of these "dukes" designated by their clans or dwelling places, concluding the elaborate record of Esau's legacy. This chapter contrasts with and complements the unfolding narrative of Jacob's family, underscoring God's sovereign hand in establishing all nations, not just Israel. Historically, Edom was a neighboring kingdom often in conflict with Israel, and this comprehensive genealogy emphasizes its significant and established presence in the region.

Genesis 36 41 Word analysis

• Duke: (Hebrew: אַלּוּף, allûph). This term translates to "chief," "prince," "clan leader," or "chieftain." It denotes a hereditary leader of a tribe or clan, distinct from a king (melek`). The use of "duke" for Esau's descendants emphasizes a decentralized tribal or clan-based leadership structure, although Edom did develop kingship as well. This term highlights the administrative and military headship over specific family units or territorial regions. The term can also mean "tamed" or "taught," implying a master or guide in other contexts (e.g., Prov 2:17).
• Oholibamah: (Hebrew: אָהֳלִיבָמָה, `Oholîḇāmâ). The name itself means "tent of the high place" or "my tent is a high place." Oholibamah was also the name of one of Esau's wives, mentioned in Genesis 36:2 and 36:14, who was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon. The "Duke Oholibamah" here is likely a son or descendant who led a clan named after her, possibly indicating a matriarchal influence or the strength of her lineage. This shows the development of the clans as identified by their founding figures, potentially female, but leadership titles were masculine.
• Elah: (Hebrew: אֵלָה, `Êlâ). This is a common Hebrew name that can mean "terebinth" or "oak." Trees often carried symbolic significance in ancient cultures, representing strength, endurance, or a sacred site. As a "duke," Elah would be a leader of a clan associated with this name or region.
• Pinon: (Hebrew: פִּינֹן, `Pînôn). The etymology of this name is uncertain. It is possibly derived from a root meaning "to turn" or "to incline." Like Oholibamah and Elah, Pinon represents a specific tribal clan or district within the established Edomite territories.
• Duke Oholibamah, Duke Elah, Duke Pinon: This repetitive phrasing ("Duke X, Duke Y, Duke Z") serves to list distinct individual clan leaders or their respective territories/clans within the Edomite structure. It underscores the comprehensive nature of Edom's organizational system, indicating multiple influential family heads operating possibly as independent or semi-independent units within a broader confederacy or under the later unified monarchy mentioned elsewhere in the chapter. These names are seen as eponyms for tribes or districts.

Genesis 36 41 Bonus section

The Hebrew word allûph (duke) carries a connotation beyond mere leadership; it also means "one taught" or "familiar," signifying a person of expertise, knowledge, or influence, which fits the role of a seasoned tribal leader. The very detailed and repetitive listing of the "dukes" throughout Genesis 36 highlights the scribal emphasis on comprehensive historical record-keeping concerning ancestral claims and national identities in the ancient Near East. Such lists would have been crucial for defining borders, allegiances, and socio-political relationships, establishing the divine order among the nations. The existence of "dukes" both before and after the list of "kings" might suggest an evolving or multi-layered form of governance in Edom, combining tribal autonomy with periods of centralized monarchy.

Genesis 36 41 Commentary

Genesis 36:41 provides the names of three more of the Edomite dukes, completing the detailed inventory of Esau's progeny. These "dukes" were not just individuals, but clan or tribal chieftains, their names likely denoting the powerful family lines or territorial divisions they headed. The significance of this specific list, occurring after a mention of Edomite kings, is subject to scholarly discussion. Some suggest it refers to later clan divisions within the established Edomite kingdom, or perhaps an earlier, pre-monarchic system existing in parallel or preceding the kings. The meticulous enumeration underscores the Bible's historical precision and its interest in recording the established lineage and sociopolitical structure of Israel's significant neighbors. This detail establishes the sovereign organization of other nations by God, emphasizing that the focus on Jacob's lineage (Israel) does not negate the structured existence of other peoples in the divine plan. It also highlights Edom's prominence and stable governance.