Below is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. Esau married two Canaanite women – Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite and Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite. His third wife was Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. In Genesis 26:34, it states that the first two wives’ names were Judith (daughter of Beeri the Hittite) and Basemath (daughter of Elon the Hittite). In Genesis 28:9, the third wife was Mahalath (Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth). So because of the different names of Esau’s wives from Genesis 26, Genesis 28 and now Genesis 36, I googled. Of course, there are different commentaries regarding Esau’s wives – from the number of wives to the women being the same, but are being referred to by different names. The site that said Esau had four wives indicated that Judith is not mentioned in Genesis 36 because she did not have any children for Esau and Genesis 36 is Esau’s genealogy. I’m guessing that wife number 3, referred to as Mahalath in Genesis 28 and as Basemath in Genesis 36 are the same person, because the description in both chapters refer to her as Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth. So, my concluding comments on the names are 1) a lot of people are referred to by different names – myself included and 2) a lot of people in the world have the same name. Therefore, I will use the names given in Genesis 36.

Adah’s son was Eliphaz. Eliphaz was the father of Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz and Amalek – his mother’s name was Timna. She was the concubine of Eliphaz.

Aholibamah’s sons were Jeush, Jaalam and Korah.

Basemath’s sons were Reuel, Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah.

Esau took his wives, children (sons and daughters) and all of those of his household, as well as all of his animals (including cattle) and the possessions he gained in Canaan and moved away to a far country from Jacob’s presence. The possessions they both had was too great for them to dwell together and the land where they were strangers could not support them and all of their livestock. Esau dwelt in Mount Seir and he is also the father of the Edomites.

In verses 15 through 18, Esau’s sons are referred to as “Chiefs”. Verse 16 refers to Chief Korah and Chief Amalek as being among the sons of Adah. However, in Verse 14, Korah is listed as Aholibamah’s son and Verse 12 says that Amalek is the son of Eliphaz and Timna. So, Amalek is Adah’s grandson, which places him on the same “branch” of the family tree. Chief Korah being placed on that branch caused me to google. On quora.com, the writer believes that this is a scribal error. Of course, Verse 18, places Chief Korah on the proper branch.

Esau and his family had to defeat the current occupants of Mount Seir and Verses 20 – 28, proceed to name the Sons of Seir, the Horite. These sons are named as “Chiefs” of the Horites later in the chapter.

1. Lotan – His sons are Hori and Herman. Lotan is also the brother of Timna. Is this the same Timna who is Amalek’s mother, Eliphaz’s concubine?
2. Shobal – His sons are Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam.
3. Zibeon – His sons are Ajah and Anah. This is the Anah who found water in the wilderness as he pastured his father, Zibeon’s, donkeys. Anah’s children are Dishon and Aholibamah.
4. Anah
5. Dishon – His sons are Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran.
6. Ezer – His sons are Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan
7. Dishan – His sons are Uz and Aran

So, I googled and I googled and saw a lot of commentaries about Anah, some of which suggested that the “Anahs” mentioned in this chapter are the same person. One comment was that Zibeon was Anah’s brother and father. Then there’s the suggestion that Anah is a woman in Verse 2, or that could have been a copyist’s error. Some versions of the Bible resolve that issue by saying “….and granddaughter of Zibeon.” The Amplified Bible says, “….son of Zibeon.” In Verse 2, Zibeon is referred to as a Hivite and in Verse 20 as a Horite. So are, Hivites and Horites the same people as suggested by one Google source? Or is this potentially another copyist’s error as suggested by another Google source?

The land of Seir became known as the land of Edom after the conquest of Esau’s family.

There were kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel. Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah. After Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned. After Jobab’s death, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned. When Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who attacked Midian in the field of Moab, reigned. The name of his city was Avith. When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned. Samlah dies, then Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigns. After Saul’s death, Baal-Hanan the son of Achbor reigned. When Baal-Hanan died, Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

Verses 40 – 43 list another set of Chiefs of Esau (Edom). They are Timnah, Alvah, Jetheth, Aholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel and Iram. These are chiefs according to their families and dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites.

In this chapter, there are a number of issues that can be attributed to being scribal errors, including some I did not mention. Keep in mind that those who transcribed the Bible from its original languages were human beings capable of making mistakes. Just because the different commentaries on any part of God’s word can be confusing, remember, God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). None of these possible “scribal errors” has an effect on the Gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. In all of my Google searches, I am just trying to get understanding. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And with all your getting, get understanding.” So, I am wise enough not to believe everything I find through googling. Remember God’s Word is living and powerful….(Hebrews 4:12). We must make sure that we have a personal relationship with God and are not just readers of His Word.

The next stop is Genesis 37.

To God Be the Glory!