The Kings of Edom
Genesis 36:31-43
Gen.36.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 1:43 (verbal): Verbatim/parallel formula — repeats the statement introducing the list of kings who reigned in Edom before any king reigned over Israel.
- Judges 17:6 (thematic): Uses the recurrent theme ‘In those days there was no king in Israel,’ highlighting the contrast between Israel’s lack of monarchy and neighbouring polities like Edom.
- Judges 21:25 (thematic): Repeats the theme that there was no king in Israel, framing Israel’s decentralized period that contrasts with the earlier kingship in Edom noted in Genesis 36:31.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 (thematic): Describes the anointing of Saul as Israel’s first monarch — the event that finally establishes a king ‘over the children of Israel,’ implicitly answering the chronological contrast in Genesis 36:31.
Alternative generated candidates
- And these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned for the sons of Israel.
- These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the sons of Israel.
Gen.36.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באדום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עירו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- דנהבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.36.31 (structural): Introduces the list of 'kings who reigned in Edom' (the heading under which Bela son of Beor is named), framing Gen 36:32 within the king-list tradition.
- Gen.36.33 (structural): Immediately follows Gen 36:32 by naming the next Edomite ruler (Jobab son of Zerah), showing the sequence of kings in the same list.
- 1 Chron.1:43 (quotation): 1 Chronicles repeats the genealogies and the list of Edomite kings found in Genesis 36, including Bela son of Beor and his city—verbal and catalogic repetition of the same material.
- Obad.1:1 (thematic): A prophetic address against Edom that presupposes Edom as a political entity and ruling class; thematically related to passages that enumerate Edom's rulers and territory.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
- Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
Gen.36.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יובב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבצרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 1:49 (quotation): Direct repetition of Genesis 36:33 in the Chronicler's genealogy: 'Bela died, and Jobab son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.'
- Genesis 36:31 (structural): Headnote to the section listing the kings of Edom ('These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites'), providing the broader context for v.33's succession notice.
- Genesis 36:34 (verbal): Follows the same succession formula ('And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place'), showing the repetitive pattern of death-and-succession in the Edomite king list.
- Genesis 36:35 (verbal): Another instance of the same succession formula ('And when Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad... reigned in his place'), reinforcing the standard formula used throughout the Edomite king list.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Bela died, and Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.
- And Bela died, and Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.
Gen.36.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יובב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- חשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- התימני: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Genesis 36:31 (structural): Introduces the list of Edomite kings (‘these are the kings who reigned in Edom’) and provides the broader context for the successions to which v.34 belongs.
- Genesis 36:33 (verbal): The immediately preceding verse records the death of Bela and the accession of Jobab, paralleling v.34’s formulaic report of one king’s death and the next king’s succession.
- Genesis 36:35 (thematic): Continues the same pattern of royal deaths and successions (Husham’s death and Hadad’s accession), showing the ongoing sequence of Edomite rulers like v.34.
- 1 Chronicles 1:43 (quotation): 1 Chronicles repeats the Edomite king-list found in Genesis 36 (including Jobab and Husham), effectively quoting and preserving the same succession material.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jobab died, and Husham from the land of Teman reigned in his place.
- And Jobab died, and Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
Gen.36.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- מדין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מואב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עירו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- עוית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.36:31-43 (structural): Immediate literary parallel — the verse is part of this contiguous list of Edomite kings; the section frames the catalogue of Edom's rulers and related remarks about their deeds and cities.
- Num.31:1-12 (thematic): Both passages record military action against the Midianites; Genesis 36:35 attributes an Edomite victory over Midian, while Numbers describes Israel's divinely commanded campaign against Midian.
- Judges 6-8 (thematic): Later Israelite tradition about conflict with Midian (Gideon's campaigns) provides a broader theme of Midianite warfare and devastation in the region, echoing the motif of peoples defeated by neighbors.
- 1 Kings 11:14-22 (verbal): Another biblical figure named Hadad (an Edomite) appears as an adversary of Israel/Israelite kings. The shared name and Edomite identity create a verbal/thematic link across narratives about Edom's rulers and opposition to Israel.
- Obadiah 1 (allusion): The prophetic oracle against Edom thematically resonates with Genesis 36's catalogue of Edomite kings — both address Edom's political identity, leadership, and relations with neighboring peoples, anticipating judgment on Edom.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Husham died, and Hadad son of Bedad reigned in his place, he who struck down Midian in the field of Moab; and the name of his city was Avith.
- And Husham died, and Hadad son of Bedad reigned in his place—he struck Midian in the field of Moab—and the name of his city was Avith.
Gen.36.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שמלה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ממשרקה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 36:31 (structural): Introduces the list of 'kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the people of Israel,' providing the overarching context for the succession notice in 36:36.
- Genesis 36:37 (verbal): Uses the same succession formula ('Samlah died, and Shaul ... reigned in his stead'), showing the recurring pattern of 'X died; Y reigned' within the Edomite king list.
- 1 Chronicles 1:48 (quotation): Parallel/duplicate list in Chronicles that repeats the Edomite kings; the entry corresponding to Hadad and Samlah mirrors Genesis 36:36 verbatim or nearly so.
- Judges 17:6 (thematic): Contrasts the Edomite kingship recorded in Genesis 36 with Israel's situation ('In those days there was no king in Israel'), highlighting the significance of Edom having kings 'before any king reigned' over Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Hadad died, and Samla from Masrekah reigned in his place.
- And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
Gen.36.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמלה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מרחבות: NOUN,f,pl,const
- הנהר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.36:31 (structural): Headnote framing the list: 'These are the kings that reigned in Edom before any king reigned over Israel,' which sets the context for 36:37's notice of succession.
- Gen.36:38 (verbal): Same succession formula—'And [name] died, and [name] reigned in his stead'—repeated in the catalogue of Edomite kings.
- Gen.36:39 (verbal): Another adjacent instance of the identical 'died... reigned in his stead' construction documenting royal succession in Edom.
- 1 Chronicles 1:43 (allusion): Chronicles retells the Edomite king-list found in Genesis 36, echoing names and the succession pattern recorded in 36:37.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Samla died, and Shaul from Rehoboth on the River reigned in his place.
- And Samlah died, and Shaul from Rehoboth on the River reigned in his place.
Gen.36.38 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חנן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עכבור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.36.31-39 (verbal): Immediate context: the list of kings of Edom. Verse 36:38 is part of this contiguous register and repeats the same formulaic phrasing used to introduce and describe Edomite rulers.
- 1 Chr.1.43-50 (verbal): Parallel genealogy in Chronicles that reproduces the list of Edomite kings, including Baal-hanan son of Achbor — a direct verbal and structural echo of Genesis 36:31–39.
- Gen.36.20-30 (thematic): Related material in the same chapter listing the chiefs and genealogies of Edom; thematically linked as complementary genealogical/king-list material about Edom’s leaders.
- 1 Sam.31.6 (verbal): Shared verbal motif — ‘Saul died’ — highlighting the same death-formula applied to a ruler named Saul. Not the same person, but a verbal parallel in reporting a king’s death and political transition.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.
- And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.
Gen.36.39 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חנן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עכבור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- תחתיו: PREP,3,m,sg
- הדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עירו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- פעו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- מהיטבאל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- מטרד: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 36:31-43 (structural): This verse is part of the contiguous list of 'kings who reigned in Edom' (the full king-list); the succession language and city/wife details are part of this structural unit.
- Genesis 36:20-30 (thematic): Nearby genealogical material listing the chiefs/princes of Edom; thematically related as another cataloging of Edomite leaders and tribal descent.
- 1 Chronicles 1:43 (verbal): Direct repetition/parallel in Chronicles' genealogy: the same names and succession (Baal-hanan son of Akbor; Hadar; city Pau; wife Mehetabel daughter of Matred) occur nearly verbatim.
- Deuteronomy 2:4-5 (thematic): Regulatory/historical note about passing through Edom's territory and honoring its sovereignty under its own kings—provides political context for Edom's independent kingship mentioned in Genesis 36.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau, and the name of his wife was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.
- And Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau, and the name of his wife was Mehetabel, daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-zahab.
Gen.36.40 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- שמות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלופי: NOUN,m,pl,constr
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- למשפחתם: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs,PRON,3,pl
- למקמתם: PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs,PRON,3,pl
- בשמתם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תמנע: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלוה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יתת: NOUN,prop,f,sg
Parallels
- Gen.36:15 (verbal): Uses the same technical term alufim ('chiefs' or 'dukes') and introduces the catalogue of chiefs descended from Esau, parallel in function and wording to 36:40.
- 1 Chr.1:42-54 (quotation): Chronicles reproduces the genealogy and list of Edomite chiefs found in Genesis 36, including many of the same names (e.g., Teman) and the same tribal/territorial framework.
- Gen.36:31-43 (structural): Continues the chapter's administrative and territorial material about Edom—kings and chiefs—providing the broader context in which 36:40's list of chiefs appears.
- Amos 1:12 (allusion): Mentions Teman (a chief named in 36:40) as a notable Edomite region; echoes the prominence of Teman and other local centers named in the Genesis list.
Alternative generated candidates
- And these are the names of the chiefs of Esau, by their families, by their places, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,
- These are the names of the chiefs of Esau by their clans, by their places, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,
Gen.36.41 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהליבמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פינן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 36:15 (structural): Introductory verse to the same section listing the 'aluph/heads' (אלופים) of Seir—establishes the genre and terminology used again in 36:41.
- Genesis 36:42-43 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same roster of Edomite chiefs; these verses form the same enumerative unit that includes the names in 36:41.
- 1 Chronicles 1:35-54 (quotation): Chronicles reproduces and rearranges Genesis 36's genealogy and list of Edomite chiefs (including the same personal names), serving as a direct textual parallel.
- Obadiah 1:1, 1:10-14 (thematic): Though not a genealogical list, Obadiah addresses Edom's leadership and pride—echoing the biblical interest in Edom's chiefs and their role among the nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
- chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
Gen.36.42 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קנז: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תימן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 1:43-54 (structural): Parallel genealogical list of the chiefs of Edom — repeats many of the same names (including Kenez/Timna/Mibzar) found in Genesis 36.
- Genesis 36:12 (verbal): Earlier in the same chapter Timna appears as a named figure (concubine of Eliphaz and mother of Amalek); the name Timna recurs here as one of the chiefs.
- Judges 1:13 (verbal): Mentions Othniel son of Kenaz (Hebrew Kenez), showing the same personal name outside the Edomite list and linking the name Kenez/Kenaz in Israelite tradition.
- 1 Chronicles 4:13-15 (verbal): Lists Kenaz and his descendants in the tribe of Judah (including Othniel), providing another occurrence of the name Kenez/Kenaz and its genealogical significance.
Alternative generated candidates
- chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
- chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
Gen.36.43 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מגדיאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עירם: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,pl
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- אלופי: NOUN,m,pl,constr
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למשבתם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אחזתם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אדום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.36.15-19 (verbal): Another portion of the same chapter listing the chiefs/chiefly families of Seir/Edom — parallel vocabulary and function (lists of leaders tied to the land).
- Gen.36.31-39 (structural): Lists the kings of Edom; parallels Gen 36:43 in structure and in presenting Edomite political/ancestral heads (leaders associated with the land of Edom).
- 1 Chr.1:35-54 (quotation): Direct retelling/duplication of Genesis 36’s Edomite genealogy and lists of chiefs/kings — many names and the formulaic concluding remark are repeated here.
- Deut.2:4-5 (thematic): Speaks of Esau/Seir and Israel’s instructions regarding the territory of the descendants of Esau — parallels the note in Gen 36:43 about the Edomites’ dwelling and possession of the land.
- Obad.1:1, 1:10-14 (allusion): Prophetic oracle addressed to Edom (descendants of Esau), presupposing Edom’s identity and occupation of the land and treating their fate as tied to that identity — thematically linked to Gen 36’s portrayal of Esau as father of Edom.
Alternative generated candidates
- chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom by their settlements in the land of their possession—he is Esau, father of Edom.
- chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom by their settlements in the land of their possession—he is Esau, father of Edom.
These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the sons of Israel.
Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
Bela died, and Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.
Jobab died, and Husham reigned in his place—from the land of the Temanites.
Husham died, and Hadad son of Bedad reigned in his place—he struck Midian in the field of Moab—and the name of his city was Avith.
Hadad died, and Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.
Samlah died, and Shaul from Rehoboth on the River reigned in his place.
Shaul died, and Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.
Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place, and the name of his city was Pau; and the name of his wife was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.
These are the names of the chiefs of Esau by their clans, by their places, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,
chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom by their settlements in the land of their possession—he is Esau, father of Edom.