Genesis 36:3
Genesis 36:3 in Multiple Translations
and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
And Bashemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
and Basemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
And Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.
In addition he married Basemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
And tooke Basemath Ishmaels daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
and Bashemath daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebajoth.
and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
And Bashemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
And Basemath the daughter of Ismael, sister of Nabajoth.
and Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
– Basemath. Her father’s name was Ishmael, and her brother’s name was Nebayoth.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 36:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 36:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶת
בָּשְׂמַ֥ת
בַּת
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
אֲח֥וֹת
נְבָיֽוֹת
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
בָּשְׂמַ֥ת
Bosmath
H1315
Basemath
N-proper
בַּת
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fs
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
Yishmâʻêʼl
H3458
Ishmael
N-proper
אֲח֥וֹת
ʼâchôwth
H269
sister
N-fs
נְבָיֽוֹת
Nᵉbâyôwth
H5032
Nebaioth
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 36:3
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בָּשְׂמַ֥ת
Bosmath
H1315
"Basemath"
N-proper
Basemath was a wife of Esau and a daughter of Solomon, mentioned in Genesis 28:9. She was an Arab woman living during the time of the Patriarchs. Basemath was also the mother of Reuel.
Definition: A woman of the Arabs living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.28.9; daughter of: Ishmael (H3458); sister of: Nebaioth (H5032), Kedar (H6938), Adbeel (H0110), Mibsam (H4017), Mishma (H4927), Dumah (H1746), Massa (H4854), Hadad (H2301), Tema (H8485), Jetur (H3195), Naphish (H5305) and Kedemah (H6929); married to Esau (H6215); mother of: Reuel (H7467); also called Basemath (KJV: Bashemath) at Gen.36.3,4,10,13,17; Another name of ma.cha.lat (מַחֲלַת "Mahalath" H4258G) § Bashemath or Basmath = "spice" 1) Hittite wife of Esau, daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebaioth 2) daughter of Solomon, wife of Ahimaaz, one of Solomon's commissariat officers
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Bashemath, Basmath. See also: Genesis 26:34; Genesis 36:10; 1 Kings 4:15.
בַּת
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל
Yishmâʻêʼl
H3458
"Ishmael"
N-proper
Ishmael means God will hear, and refers to Abraham's son with Hagar, as well as several other Israelites. He is mentioned in Genesis and Ezra. Ishmael is considered the progenitor of the Arabian peoples.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.10.22 § Ishmael = "God will hear" 1) son of Abraham and Sarah's handmaid Hagar and the progenitor of the Arabian peoples 2) son of Nethaniah and the murderer of Gedaliah 3) a Benjamite, one of the sons of Azel a descendant of Saul through Meribbaal or Mephibosheth 4) a Judaite, father of Zebadiah 5) a Judaite, son of Johanan and one of the captains who aided Jehoiada in restoring Joash to the throne 6) a priest of the family of Pashur with a foreign wife whom he was forced to put away by Ezra
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Ishmael. See also: Genesis 16:11; 2 Chronicles 19:11; Jeremiah 40:8.
אֲח֥וֹת
ʼâchôwth
H269
"sister"
N-fs
A sister in the Bible can be a biological sibling, a half-sister, or a close relative. In Genesis 4:2, Cain's sister is not named, but in Genesis 24:15, Rebekah is Isaac's cousin and future wife.
Definition: 1) sister 1a) sister (same parents) 1b) half-sister (same father) 1c) relative 1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship 1d) beloved 1d1) bride 1e) (fig.) of intimate connection 1f) another
Usage: Occurs in 104 OT verses. KJV: (an-) other, sister, together. See also: Genesis 4:22; 2 Samuel 13:22; Proverbs 7:4.
נְבָיֽוֹת
Nᵉbâyôwth
H5032
"Nebaioth"
N-proper
Nebaioth was a son of Ishmael and the name of the country where he settled, mentioned in Genesis 25:13. He was a brother of Kedar and other sons of Ishmael. The name Nebaioth means 'heights'.
Definition: A man of the Arabs living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.13; son of: Ishmael (H3458); brother of: Kedar (H6938), Adbeel (H0110), Mibsam (H4017), Mishma (H4927), Dumah (H1746), Massa (H4854), Hadad (H2301), Tema (H8485), Jetur (H3195), Naphish (H5305), Kedemah (H6929) and Mahalath (H4258) § Nebaioth or Nebajoth = "heights" 1) a son of Ishmael 2) people descended from1 called the Nabateans with their capital at Petra
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Nebaioth, Nebajoth. See also: Genesis 25:13; Genesis 36:3; Isaiah 60:7.
Study Notes — Genesis 36:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Descendants of Esau
1This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).
2Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite,
3and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.
4And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath gave birth to Reuel, 5and Oholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 28:9 | Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had. |
| 2 | Genesis 25:13 | These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, |
Genesis 36:3 Summary
[Genesis 36:3 tells us that Basemath was a daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth, and she became one of the wives of Esau. This verse helps us understand the family relationships and marriages of the people in the Bible. As we read about Esau's marriages, including his marriage to Basemath, we are reminded that our choices have consequences, just like Esau's choices did, as seen in Genesis 26:34-35. We can learn from Esau's example and strive to make wise choices that honor God, just like his father Isaac did, as seen in Genesis 24:1-67.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Basemath in the Bible?
Basemath was a daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth, as mentioned in Genesis 36:3, and she became one of the wives of Esau, bearing him a son named Reuel, as seen in Genesis 36:4.
What does the name Basemath mean?
The name Basemath is thought to mean 'fragrance' or 'sweet smell', which may indicate that she was known for her pleasant character or presence, much like the fragrance of Christ mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:15.
Why did Esau marry women from the daughters of Canaan?
Esau married women from the daughters of Canaan, including Basemath, as part of his worldly and fleshly pursuits, which is seen as a contrast to the faith and obedience of his father Isaac, who waited for a wife from the Lord, as told in Genesis 24:1-67.
How does Basemath's marriage to Esau relate to the bigger story of the Bible?
Basemath's marriage to Esau is part of the larger narrative of the Bible, which tells the story of God's covenant with His people, including the story of Isaac and Ishmael, as seen in Genesis 16:1-16 and Genesis 21:1-21, and ultimately points to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all nations, as prophesied in Genesis 12:3.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from the fact that Esau chose wives from the daughters of Canaan, and how does this relate to our own choices in life?
- How does the story of Basemath and Esau challenge or encourage us in our own relationships and marriages?
- What role do you think Basemath played in the life of Esau, and what can we learn from her example?
- How does the biblical account of Esau's marriages, including his marriage to Basemath, serve as a warning or lesson for us today?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 36:3
And Bashemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth,.... The eldest son of Ishmael, see Genesis 28:9; called there Mahalath.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 36:3
And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 36:3
(3) Bashemath Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.—The Samaritan text reads Mahalath here, and in Genesis 36:4; Genesis 36:10; Genesis 36:17, as in Genesis 28:9. There can be little doubt that Mahalath is the right reading, but the versions, nevertheless, agree with the Masoretic Hebrew text, so that the error must have been of very ancient date. As Mahalath was of a Semitic stock, she would have her own Semitic name, and there would be no double translation of it, as in the case of the daughter of Elon.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 36:3
ESAU’S WIVES AND , AND THEIR REMOVAL TO MOUNT SEIR, Genesis 36:1-8. A comparison of the names of Esau’s wives, as given here and in Genesis 26:34; Genesis 28:9, will show noticeable differences. Here we have:1.
Sermons on Genesis 36:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 28:1-9 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the focus is on Isaac calling Jacob and blessing him. Isaac instructs Jacob not to take a wife from the daughters of Canaan, but instead to go to Padenarum and marr |