Genesis 36 6

Genesis 36:6 kjv

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36:6 nkjv

Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36:6 niv

Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household, as well as his livestock and all his other animals and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan, and moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36:6 esv

Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36:6 nlt

Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle ? all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan ? and moved away from his brother, Jacob.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 6 meaning

Genesis 36:6 records Esau's definitive move from the land of Canaan, taking with him his numerous wives, children, and entire household, alongside all his accumulated wealth including cattle, beasts, and all his substance. This comprehensive departure was driven by the immense prosperity and possessions shared by both Esau and his brother Jacob, which proved too vast for them to co-exist in the same land, specifically away from the face of his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36 6 Context

Genesis 36 opens by providing the "generations of Esau, who is Edom." This chapter serves as a genealogical and historical interlude, documenting the descendants of Esau. Its placement directly after the patriarchal narratives of Jacob (Israel) underscores a clear separation between the two nations that originated from Isaac's sons. While Jacob's lineage is detailed as leading to the nation of Israel and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises regarding the land of Canaan, Esau's genealogy here explains the origin of the Edomites and their habitation outside the Promised Land. This verse specifically clarifies the physical departure of Esau and his entire extensive household and possessions from Canaan, providing the practical reason for his separate dwelling and distinct national development in the region of Seir, thereby reinforcing Jacob's sole inheritance of Canaan as God's chosen land.

Genesis 36 6 Word analysis

• And Esau took: Denotes deliberate action on Esau's part. It's an initiative taken by him, suggesting a voluntary and intentional move.
• his wives, and his sons, and his daughters: Signifies his entire direct family unit, indicating a comprehensive departure. Esau had a polygamous family, characteristic of the era and his chosen Canaanite wives often contrasted with Jacob's endogamous marriages.
• and all the persons of his house: The Hebrew kol-nafshōṯ bēyṯō (כָּל־נַפְשֹׁת בֵּיתוֹ) means "all the souls/lives of his household." This includes not just immediate family but servants, retainers, and dependents, indicating a vast domestic establishment and considerable power.
• and his cattle, and all his beasts: The Hebrew words miqnēhū (מִקְנֵהוּ, large livestock like sheep, goats, cattle) and bəhēmṯōw (בְּהֶמְתּוֹ, generally includes beasts of burden and other domestic animals). This emphasizes his immense wealth in livestock, crucial for nomadic and semi-nomadic existence.
• and all his substance: The Hebrew kol-qinyānō (כָּל־קִנְיָנוֹ) refers to all his acquired possessions, property, and movable wealth. It's a comprehensive term covering every material asset he owned.
• which he had got in the land of Canaan: The Hebrew qānāh (קָנָה) means to acquire, buy, or get. This validates that Esau's wealth was legitimately amassed within the geographical boundaries of Canaan, despite the land being promised to Jacob's descendants.
• and went into the country: This phrase indicates a purposeful migration to another distinct region, implying a permanent relocation and establishing a separate territory.
• from the face of his brother Jacob: The Hebrew mippənēy ’āḥîw Ya‘ăqōḇ (מִפְּנֵי אָחִיו יַעֲקֹב) literally means "from the face of his brother Jacob," but idiomatically signifies "away from" or "because of" Jacob. This indicates the primary reason for his move was the co-existence issues with Jacob, perhaps related to the scarcity of pasturage for their combined vast flocks and herds.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance": This extensive list highlights Esau's substantial prosperity and the vastness of his domain. It showcases a form of fulfillment of Isaac's blessing to Esau in Gen 27:39-40 regarding living by the sword and from the fatness of the earth. It indicates he was leaving as a powerful and established entity, not as one diminished or deprived.
• "which he had got in the land of Canaan": This specifies the origin of Esau's wealth, confirming that his accumulation of possessions happened within the territory promised to Jacob. This detail implicitly sets the stage for the spatial necessity of their separation.
• "and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob": This pivotal phrase reveals the underlying motivation for Esau's relocation. It implies a practical and peaceful decision to prevent conflict over resources (pasture and water for vast flocks) given the limitations of the land of Canaan when shared by two very wealthy entities. It demonstrates a wisdom in recognizing that the land could not sustain both families and their immense possessions, echoing the earlier separation of Abraham and Lot in Gen 13 for similar reasons. The theological implication is the providentially guided separation to ensure Jacob's (and thus Israel's) eventual sole occupation of Canaan.

Genesis 36 6 Bonus section

• The thorough listing of Esau's possessions, from family members to livestock and substance, indicates a flourishing household and substantial prosperity, aligning with the material blessings Esau received from Isaac (Gen 27:39).
• The phrase "went into the country" (often rendered "another country" or "another land" in some translations, implying a specific region of settlement, Mount Seir/Edom, as specified in Gen 36:8) is key to understanding the foundation of the Edomite nation outside the territory of God's covenant people.
• This verse contributes to the "Toldot" (generations) structure of Genesis, marking a definitive branching off in the genealogical narrative and highlighting the distinct paths God had ordained for Jacob's and Esau's descendants, confirming that God's plan for Jacob's lineage in Canaan would proceed without shared claim from Esau's line.
• While their recent reconciliation in Genesis 33 might suggest a potential for coexistence, this verse makes clear that the scale of their prosperity required separate dwelling, illustrating a mature recognition by both parties (though initiated by Esau) of practical boundaries. This pragmatic decision ultimately supports God's redemptive plan by solidifying Jacob's exclusive claim to Canaan.

Genesis 36 6 Commentary

Genesis 36:6 provides a crucial transition point, delineating the future geographical and national separation of Jacob and Esau, who became the patriarchs of Israel and Edom respectively. Esau's decision to move from Canaan was a pragmatic response to the unsustainable combined wealth of both brothers within the confines of a single land, preventing potential strife over pasture and water. While practical, this act also carries profound theological significance. It allowed Jacob's line to exclusively inherit the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's covenant promises regarding Abraham's descendants and the promised land. Esau's prosperous departure demonstrates God's general blessings even upon those not in the direct covenant line for the specific inheritance of Canaan, while simultaneously ensuring the unique divine purpose for Jacob within that sacred land. This separation ultimately contributes to the distinct national identities and destinies of Israel and Edom, setting the stage for their future interactions documented throughout the Old Testament. It shows a wise and peaceful resolution, avoiding conflict, in contrast to their earlier tumultuous relationship.