These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.
Parallel Translations
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These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.
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And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
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And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
Cross-references (9)
Passages linked to Genesis 36:31 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Genesis 17:6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
- Genesis 17:16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.”
- 1 Chronicles 1:43-50 Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah. Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place. Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith. Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place. Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai: and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
- Genesis 25:23 Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
- Numbers 20:14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “Your brother Israel says: You know all the travail that has happened to us;
- Numbers 24:17-18 I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth. Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemies, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
- Deuteronomy 17:14-20 When you have come to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, “I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,” you shall surely set him whom Yahweh your God chooses as king over yourselves. You shall set as king over you one from among your brothers. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he may multiply horses; because Yahweh has said to you, “You shall not go back that way again.” He shall not multiply wives to himself, that his heart not turn away. He shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the Levitical priests. It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn away from the commandment to the right hand, or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the middle of Israel.
- Deuteronomy 33:5 He was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.
- Deuteronomy 33:29 You are happy, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency? Your enemies will submit themselves to you. You will tread on their high places.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (19 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain 31. These are the kings that reigned, etc We…
31. These are the kings that reigned, etc We must keep in memory what we have said a little before, that reprobates are suddenly exalted, that they may immediately fall, like the herb upon the roofs, which is destitute of root, and has a hasty growth, but withers the more quickly. To the two sons of Isaac had been promised the honor that kings should spring from them. The Idumeans first began to reign, and thus the condition of Israel seemed to be inferior. But at length, lapse of time taught how much better it is, by creeping on the ground, to strike the roots deep, than to acquire an extravagant pre-eminence for a moment, which speedily vanishes away. There is, therefore, no reason why the faithful, who slowly pursue their way, should envy the quick children of this world, their rapid succession of delights; since the felicity which the Lord promises them is far more stable, as it is expressed in the psalm,
“The children’s children shall dwell there, and their inheritance shall be perpetual.” (Psalm 102:28.)
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain The wicked rise up suddenly to honor, and perish…
The wicked rise up suddenly to honor, and perish as quickly: but the inheritance of the children of God continueth ever, Ps. 102:28.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Gen 36:31 And these [are] the kings that reigned…
Gen 36:31 And these [are] the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
Ver. 31. Before there reigned any king, &c.] Sicut herba tectorum praecocem habet vigorem, sed citius arescit. Exoriuntur impii, sed exuruntur. They are set up on high, but "on slippery places"; {Psa 73:18} advanced, as Haman, but to be brought down again with a vengeance. This observation the Hebrews make upon this text: While Edom reigns and flourishes, Israel groanes under the servitude of Egypt. Pomp and prosperity, then, is no sure note of the true Church.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain He speaks of the posterity of Esau, who after…
He speaks of the posterity of Esau, who after they had subdued the Horites, erected a kingdom there.
Here profane wits triumph. How, say they, could Moses write this, when as yet there was no king in Israel?
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Answ.
1. The word may be taken for any chief governor, in which sense the title of king is given to Moses, Deu 33:5; and to the judges, Jdg 17:6; and to others who were not kings, properly so called, Psa 119:46; Luk 22:25; Act 9:15, &c.
Answ. 2. Moses might well say thus, because he did by the Spirit of prophecy foresee, and therefore could foretell, that the Israelites would have a king, as appears from Deu 17:14,15.
Answ. 3. This, with other clauses of the same nature, might be inserted afterwards by some holy and inspired man of God, as it is confessed that part of the last chapter of Deuteronomy was.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain By degrees, it seems, the Edomites wormed out the…
By degrees, it seems, the Edomites wormed out the Horites, obtained full possession of the country, and had a government of their own. 1. They were ruled by kings, who governed the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election, and not by lineal descent; so bishop Patrick observes. These kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, that is, before Moses's time, for he was king in Jeshurun, Gen 36:3. God had lately promised Jacob that kings should come out of his loins (Gen 35:11), yet Esau's blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob's did. Note, In external prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often cast behind, and those that are out of covenant get the start. The triumphing of the wicked may be quick, but it is short; soon ripe, and as soon rotten: but the products of the promise, though they are slow, are sure and lasting; at the end it shall speak, and not lie. We may suppose it was a great trial to the faith of God's Israel to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. 2. They were afterwards governed by dukes, again here named, who, I suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the country. Either they set up this form of government in conformity to the Horites, who had used it (Gen 36:29), or God's providence reduced them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their unkindness to Israel, in refusing them a passage though their country, Num 20:18. Note, When power is abused, it is just with God to weaken it, by turning it into divers channels. For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof. Sin brought Edom from kings to dukes, from crowns to coronets. We read of the dukes of Edom (Exo 15:15), yet, long afterwards, of their kings again. 3. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession, Gen 36:43. While the Israelites dwelt in the house of bondage, and their Canaan was only the land of promise, the Edomites dwelt in their own habitations, and Seir was in their possession. Note, The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope (Luk 16:25); while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is better to have Canaan in promise than mount Seir in possession.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain And Hadad died,.... As is supposed, about A. M.…
And Hadad died,.... As is supposed, about A. M. 2241.
and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead; but who he was, or the place he was of, cannot be said.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain By degrees the Edomites worked out the Horites, and…
By degrees the Edomites worked out the Horites, and got full possession of the country. 1. They were ruled by kings who governed the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election, and not by lineal descent: these kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel - That is, before Moses's time, for he was king in Jeshurun. God had lately promised Jacob that kings shall come out of his loins: yet Esau's blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob's did. Probably it was a trial to the faith of Israel, to hear of the power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt: but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them. God's time is the best time. 2. They were afterward's governed by dukes again, here named, who, I suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the country. They set up this form of government, either in conformity to the Horites, who had used it, ver. 29, or God's providence reduced them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their unkindness to Israel, in refusing them passage through their country, Num. xx, 18.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 31. Before there reigned any king over -…
Verse 31. Before there reigned any king over - Israel.] I suppose all the verses, from Ge 36:31-39 inclusive, have been transferred to this place from 1Ch 1:43-50, as it is not likely they could have been written by Moses; and it is quite possible they might have been, at a very early period, written in the margin of an authentic copy, to make out the regal succession in Edom, prior to the consecration of Saul; which words being afterwards found in the margin of a valuable copy, from which others were transcribed, were supposed by the copyist to be a part of the text, which having been omitted by the mistake of the original writer, had been since added to make up the deficiency; on this conviction he would not hesitate to transcribe them consecutively in his copy. In most MSS. sentences and paragraphs have been left out by the copyists, which, when perceived, have been added in the margin, either by the original writer, or by some later hand. Now, as the margin was the ordinary place where glosses or explanatory notes were written, it is easy to conceive how the notes, as well as the parts of the original text found in the margin, might be all incorporated with the text by a future transcriber; and his MSS., being often copied, would of course multiply the copies with such additions, as we have much reason to believe has been the case. This appears very frequently in the Vulgate and Septuagint; and an English Bible now before me written some time in the fourteenth century, exhibits several proofs of this principle. See the preface to this work.
I know there is another way of accounting for those words on the ground of their being written originally by Moses; but to me it is not satisfactory. It is simply this: the word king should be considered as implying any kind of regular government, whether by chiefs, dukes, judges, &c., and therefore when Moses says these are the kings which reigned in Edom, before there was any king in Israel, he may be only understood as saying that these kings reigned among the Edomites before the family of Jacob had acquired any considerable power, or before the time in which his twelve sons had become the fathers of those numerous tribes, at the head of which, as king himself in Jeshurun, he now stood.
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Esau, after his dukes, had eight kings, who reigned successively over their people, while Israel were in affliction in Egypt.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Gen 36:31. By degrees the Edomites worked out the…
Gen 36:31. By degrees the Edomites worked out the Horites, and got full possession of the country. They were ruled by kings who governed the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election, and not by lineal descent: these kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel — That is, before Moses’s time, for he was king in Jeshurun. God had lately promised Jacob that kings should come out of his loins: yet Esau’s blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob’s did. Probably it was a trial to the faith of Israel, to hear of the power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt: but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them. God’s time is the best time.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain A king. See ver. 1. Moses might also add…
A king. See ver. 1. Moses might also add this with reference to the times, when he knew the Hebrews would petition for a king, for whom he gave particular laws. (Menochius) --- These kings were probably foreigners, who subdued the natives. They did not obtain the kingdom by succession. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain kings of Edom--The royal power was not built on…
kings of Edom--The royal power was not built on the ruins of the dukedoms, but existed at the same time.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain THE KINGS OF EDOM, Gen_36:31-39.
THE KINGS OF EDOM, Gen_36:31-39.
How a monarchy arose among the Edomites we are not told, but it is noticeable that of the eight kings here mentioned, not one is said to have succeeded to his father. It is, therefore, very plausibly supposed that they were chosen by the dukes, or phylarchs. The statement that these kings reigned in the land of Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel has been suspected as an interpolation, introduced after kings reigned over the Israelites. This is not an unreasonable or improbable supposition. See Introd. to the Pentateuch, p. 22. Others have argued from it the late authorship of the Pentateuch. But neither of these suppositions are necessary. God had said to Abraham, “Kings shall come out of thee,” (Gen_17:6,) and he repeated the promise to Jacob, (Gen_35:11,) who, in his last words, prophesied of a sceptre to arise in Judah.
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Gen_49:10. Moses also assumed that kings would arise in Israel, (Deu_17:14; Deu_28:36;) and with such expectations it would have been very natural for him, in recording this list of Edomite kings, to introduce the remark that all these reigned before Israel had any king. The Edomite monarchy was a sudden upstart affair, as compared with the Israelitish.
Of none of these kings have we any certain trace elsewhere. Bozrah, in Gen_36:33, is the same as that mentioned in Isa_34:6; Isa_53:1, and the land of Temani (Gen_36:34) was probably so called after the son of Eliphaz. Gen_36:11. Bozrah was probably at the site of the modern el-Busaireh, southeast of the Dead Sea.
In Gen_36:35 the mention of Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, gives us a momentary glimpse of ancient wars among the peoples scattered south and east of the Dead Sea. As the death of all these kings except Hadar (Gen_36:39) is formally recorded, it is naturally supposed that he was living at the time of this writer, and was, perhaps, the same king to whom Moses applied for permission to pass through the Edomite territory. Num_20:14.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 31–39. Kings of Edom
31–39. Kings of Edom
31. any king] From this verse we infer that the writer lived at a time subsequent to the foundation of the Israelite monarchy. The definition, however, of the date is not quite clear in the opinion of some scholars. It is simplest to render, “before there reigned a king for Israel,” i.e. before the time of Saul. But it is noteworthy that LXX Cod. A renders, “before there reigned any king in Jerusalem.” Dillmann translates “before an Israelite king reigned,” i.e. over Edom, referring to the subjugation of the Edomites by David. The tradition shews that Edom had a settled constitution before Israel. In Scriptural terms Esau was “the elder.” It is to be observed that the Edomite kings, (1) had different places of residence, (2) were not hereditary kings. Perhaps they may be compared with the local judges of Israel. “The land of Edom” is the whole territory, more extensive than “mount Seir” (Gen_36:8). There was a “king of Edom” in Moses’ time (Num_20:14).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (31) The kings.—In the triumphal song of Moses on…
(31) The kings.—In the triumphal song of Moses on the Red Sea we still read of “dukes of Edom” (Exo_15:15; but when Israel had reached the borders of their land, we find that Edom had then a king (Num_20:14). But in the list given here, no king succeeds his father, and probably these were petty monarchs, who sprang up in various parts of the country during a long period of civil war, in which the Horites were finally as completely conquered as were the Canaanites in Palestine under the heavy hands of Saul and Solomon. In the time of the dukes, there were also Horite dukes of the race of Seir, ruling districts mixed up apparently with those governed by the descendants of Esau. But all these now disappear.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain And these (which follow) are the kings that reigned…
And these (which follow) are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any (literally, before the reigning of a) king over (or, to) the children of Israel.
1. The reference to Israelitish kings in this place has been explained as an evidence of post-Mosaic authorship (Le Clerc, Bleek, Ewald, Bohlen, et alii), or at least as a later interpolation from 1Ch_1:43 (Kennicott, A. Clarke, Lange), but is sufficiently accounted for by remembering that in Gen_35:11 kings had been promised to Jacob, while the blessing pronounced on Esau (Gen_27:40) implied that in his line also should arise governors, the historian being understood to say that though the promised kings had not yet arisen in the line of Jacob, the house of Esau had attained at a somewhat early period to political importance (Calvin, Michaelis, Rosenm Keil, Kalisch, Gerlach, Havernick, and others).
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2. The difficulty of finding room for the dukes (seven, four and three, all grandsons of Esau, vers. 15-19), the kings (eight in number, vers. 32-39), and again the dukes (in all eleven, vers. 40-43), that intervened between Esau and Moses disappears if the kings and dukes existed contemporaneously, of which Exo_15:15, as compared with Num_20:14, affords probable evidence.
3. As to the character of the Edomitish kings, it is apparent that it was not a hereditary monarchy, since in no case does the son succeed the father, but an elective sovereignty, the kings being chosen by the dukes, alluphim, or phylarchs (Keil, Hengstenberg, Kalisch, Gerlach), though the idea of successive usurpations (Lange) is not without a measure of probability.
Delay in fulfillment of God"s promises.
Between two stages of the history of the covenant family stands the genealogy of Esau s descendants. The text suggests a contrast between their course and that of the family of Jacob. On the death of Isaac Esau departed from Canaan with family and possessions (cf. Gen_27:40) The desert and the valleys of Seir were more attractive than quietness of Canaan. Prosperity, such as he cared for, attended him. Among his family we read of dukes, or heads of tribes, and of kings. And what of the line of promise? kings foretold to them. (Gen_17:6 Gen_35:11) Yet while kings were reigning in Edom, Israelites were slaves in Egypt or wanderers in the desert. Is God slack to fulfill his word?. (1Pe_3:4) This is often a trial to believers. (Psa_73:3) But God"s promises are sure, though the time may seem long. The fulfillment of promises of great blessings has almost always been slow, as we count it. Abraham waited. (Gen_12:2) It was long ere the kingdom of Israel arose; far longer ere the promise of a Savior fulfilled (Gen_3:15; Gal_4:4) and still we wait for the Lord"s return. The same truth appears in nature. Great and precious things are of slow growth (cf. Mar_4:5)
Doctrinal lessons:
1. Delay serves for the trial and strengthening of faith. Faith grows by enduring trial. Mark how often the faith of eminent saints has been tried. Without faith we cannot please God; for faith believes God"s truth and love, and embraces his will. Unbelief charges God with untruth (Gen_3:4; 1Jn_5:10) Even in believers a leaven of unbelief may be at work. Trials are sent to cause faith to develop into other graces. (Jam_1:3)
1. What springs up quietly is apt to fade quickly. (cf. Exo_3:11 with Hag_1:2) Danger lest what seems to be faith be merely feeling.
2. The time that seems so long is not mere delay, but preparation. While the seed lies in the earth a process is going on, though unseen, without which the perfect plant could not be formed. Compare the expression, "the fullness of time", (Gal_4:4) and the way in which all previous history prepared the way for the coming of Christ. These lessons apply equally to God"s dealings with the world and with individuals.
Practical lessons:
1. Encouragement if disheartened by slow progress of Christ"s kingdom: much labor among the heathen with little apparent result; or many efforts at home, yet ungodliness not checked. We have promises (Isa_55:11; 1Co_15:58) In his own time God will make them good.
2. In like manner if our own striving for personal holiness, or for good of others, seems to have little success. We require the training of disappointment to check pride, (2Co_12:7) and God will see to the result. (Gal_6:9)
3. To bear in mind that we are but instruments in the Lord"s hand. (1Co_3:6) Every work to be performed "looking unto Jesus". M. (2Co_12:10)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain kings that reigned in the land of Edom
kings that reigned in the land of Edom
It is characteristic of Scripture that the kings of Edom should be enumerated before the kings of Israel. The principle is stated in 1Co 15:46. First things are "natural," man’s best, and always fail; second things are "spiritual," God’s things, and succeed. Adam--Christ; Cain--Abel; Cain’s posterity--Seth’s posterity; Saul--David; Israel--the true Church, etc.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain The Kings of Edom
The Kings of Edom
v. 31. And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, up to the time that the children of Israel began the conquest of Canaan, for it was at that time that Moses wrote this account.
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v. 32. And Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
v. 33. And Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his stead. This city was very important, being considered one of the capitals of the Edomites, Isa 34:6; Isa 63:1.
v. 34. And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead. This land, according to Jerome, was a region in Southern Idumea, not far from the city of Petra.
v. 35. And Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead; and the name— of his city was Avith. At his time the kingdom must have been very powerful.
v. 36. And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
v. 37. And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. This may indicate that Saul was a stranger from the Euphrates, but it is more probable that Rehoboth was a city on the Zered, which flows into the Dead Sea.
v. 38. And Saul died, and Baalhanan, the son of Achbor, reigned in his stead.
v. 39. And Baalhanan, the son of Achbor, died, and Hadar reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Since the relatives of Hadar are noted so carefully and his death is not mentioned, he seems to have been king at the time of Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness. It was Hadar, then, who refused the children of Israel passage through his land, Num 20:14-21. It appears from the list of kings that the monarchy in Edom was limited and that it was not hereditary, but elective, the tribal princes very likely choosing a king out of their midst whenever a vacancy occurred.
v. 40. And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names: Duke Timnah, Duke Alvah, Duke Jetheth,
v. 41. Duke Aholibamah, Duke Elah, Duke Pinon,
v. 42. Duke Kenaz, Duke Teman, Duke Mibzar,
v. 43. Duke Magdiel, Duke Iram; these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession; he is Esau, the father of the Edomites. This list gives the geographical position of the original personal tribe-princes, for it was a hereditary aristocracy that obtained in the land of Edom, and the princes formed the electoral college whenever a new king was to be chosen. The history of Esau is herewith brought to an end.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Bela ... Beor ... Jobab ... Zerah
Bela ... Beor ... Jobab ... Zerah
These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
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the name of his city
This means that this was the city where he lived. AT: "the name of the city where he lived" (See: Idiom)
Dinhabah ... Bozrah
These are names of places. (See: How to Translate Names)
translationWords
king
reign
Edom
Israel
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 36:31-39 It is not clear how these kings of…
36:31-39 It is not clear how these kings of Edom were related to Esau. The clans in Edom followed the same pattern of organization as the later tribes of Israel. They eventually chose a king from one of their tribes and carried on a line of succession from him.
36:31 before any king ruled over the Israelites: This editorial note was probably inserted into the text during Israel’s monarchy (see study note on 35:20).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.