Genesis 36:7 kjv

For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

Genesis 36:7 nkjv

For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock.

Genesis 36:7 niv

Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock.

Genesis 36:7 esv

For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.

Genesis 36:7 nlt

There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired.

Genesis 36 verses

Genesis 36 7 Meaning

Genesis 36:7 explains the practical reason for the separation between Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom). Their combined material possessions, primarily their vast livestock, were too numerous for the land where they temporarily resided to sustain them together. This led Esau to move from the region near Jacob to Mount Seir.

Genesis 36 7 Context

The verse occurs immediately after the reunion and reconciliation of Jacob and Esau, and Esau's decision to return to Seir. It serves as a concise explanation for the geographical separation that solidified the distinct paths of the two brothers and their descendants. This context helps understand why Esau, after settling Isaac's affairs in Canaan, fully relocates, establishing the ancestral home for the Edomites in Seir. Historically, nomadic pastoralists like Jacob and Esau required vast territories for their flocks. Canaan, at this stage of their sojournings, was already inhabited, and their massive livestock needed exclusive grazing lands, which the limited, already occupied regions of their temporary dwellings could not provide. The separation was a practical, economic necessity, preventing resource conflict, allowing both families to thrive in their respective areas as their divine blessings manifested in great material wealth.

Genesis 36 7 Word analysis

• For (כִּ֣י - ki): A causal particle, introducing the reason or explanation for what precedes. It signals that the following statement provides the justification for Esau's relocation.
• their possessions (רְכוּשָׁ֣ם - rᵉchusham): From רְכוּשׁ (rekush), meaning "property, goods, wealth," often including livestock and other material assets acquired by traveling/acquiring. It highlights the abundance of their joint wealth, especially their movable assets.
• were too great (רַ֗ב - rav): Meaning "much, great, abundant, numerous." In this context, it indicates an excessive quantity, signifying an overflow of wealth. This echoes divine blessings of fruitfulness and multiplication seen throughout Genesis.
• for them to dwell together (מִשֶּׁ֤בֶת יַ֙חְדָּו֙ - mish•shevet yachdav): "From dwelling together," or "so that they could not dwell together." This phrase directly points to the impracticality or impossibility of their continued cohabitation. It emphasizes a logistical constraint rather than purely relational strife, though past tension existed.
• the land (אֶ֤רֶץ - eretz): Refers specifically to the region in Canaan where they had been sojourning (e.g., Hebron area). It is a particular piece of territory.
• of their sojournings (מְגֽוּרֵיהֶ֔ם - mᵉgureyhem): From מָגוֹר (magor), meaning "dwelling place of a sojourner, temporary dwelling." This signifies their status as temporary residents or pilgrims in the land of Canaan, not its full possessors yet. It links back to the promises given to Abraham regarding future ownership, but for now, it's just a temporary abode.
• could not support them (לֹא־יָֽכְלָה֮ לָשֵׂאת אֹתָם֮ - lo-yakhla laseyt otam): Literally, "it was not able to bear them" or "it could not sustain them." This highlights the physical limitations of the land to provide sufficient pasture and resources for such a large combined presence. It's a statement of environmental capacity.
• because of their livestock (מִפְּנֵ֣י מִקְנֵהֶֽם - mippene miqnehem): From מִפְּנֵי (mippene), "because of, on account of," and מִקְנֶה (miqneh), meaning "livestock, cattle, property acquired by purchase." This specifies the primary reason for the land's inability to sustain them, namely, their enormous herds and flocks.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together": This phrase identifies the immediate consequence of their prosperity. God's blessing, manifested in their wealth, ironically necessitated a physical separation to avoid strife and allow for continued growth. It underlines a practical reality born from divine abundance.
• "the land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock": This second clause provides the precise, underlying cause. The temporary and somewhat limited nature of their current land combined with the sheer volume of their grazing animals made coexistence unsustainable. It connects the concept of temporary residency (sojournings) with the physical limits of resources, illustrating how even blessed growth can outgrow current circumstances.

Genesis 36 7 Bonus section

The seemingly simple reason given for Esau's departure (lack of sufficient pasture) carries significant weight. It subtly confirms God's blessing not just on Jacob, but also, for a time, on Esau. Both grew tremendously, echoing the widespread prosperity often promised to Abraham's lineage. This practical separation set the stage for the distinct national identities of Israel and Edom, each fulfilling a part of the prophetic declaration of two nations. Esau's move to Seir wasn't arbitrary; it was a pre-ordained step for him to establish his nation there (Deut 2:5), while Jacob would settle in the Promised Land, marking out the two peoples. It implies a divine wisdom that facilitates a peaceful, rather than contentious, physical distinction, even if their spiritual and future national relationship would prove complex.

Genesis 36 7 Commentary

Genesis 36:7 is a brief but profound verse that highlights the practical manifestation of God's blessings and how they shape the destinies of individuals and nations. It attributes the final, decisive separation of Jacob and Esau not to unresolved personal animosity or conflict, but to the overwhelming success of their respective flocks and herds. This abundance, a sign of divine favor experienced by both brothers, made it economically unfeasible for them to share the same grazing lands.

The emphasis on "possessions" and "livestock" underscores the economic reality of the patriarchal age. Land was vast but finite in its capacity to sustain ever-growing herds. Their nomadic lifestyle as "sojourners" meant they did not yet fully possess their inheritance, further limiting their permanent resource base. This verse subtly confirms the fulfillment of God's promises of multiplication (Gen 12:2; 26:12) to both lines of Abraham.

Theologically, this verse reveals God's providential hand guiding circumstances through natural means. The separation prevented inevitable resource conflict, which had arisen earlier with Lot (Gen 13:6-7), and allowed both families to flourish and develop into distinct nations as prophesied (Gen 25:23). It underscores that God's plans for distinct peoples can be advanced even through seemingly mundane economic realities. The separation, driven by prosperity, thus serves God's larger purpose for His covenant people and the unfolding of redemptive history.

Examples:

• Recognizing that growth (in business, family, or ministry) can necessitate changes in established structures or locations.
• Understanding that God's blessings often come with practical considerations for their management and may lead to new phases or arrangements.