Genesis 36:4
Genesis 36:4 in Multiple Translations
And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath gave birth to Reuel,
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Basemath bare Reuel;
Adah had a son Eliphaz; and Basemath was the mother of Reuel;
Adah had a son for Esau named Eliphaz. Basemath had Reul.
And Adah bare vnto Esau, Eliphaz: and Basemath bare Reuel.
And Adah beareth to Esau, Eliphaz; and Bashemath hath born Reuel;
Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz. Basemath bore Reuel.
And Adah bore to Esau, Eliphaz; and Bashemath bore Reuel;
And Ada bore Eliphaz: Basemath bore Rahuel:
Esau’s wife Adah gave birth to Eliphaz. Basemath gave birth to Reuel.
All of those women had sons with Esau. Adah had a son called Elifaz, Basemath had a son called Rewel,
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 36:4
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 36:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תֵּ֧לֶד
עָדָ֛ה
לְ/עֵשָׂ֖ו
אֶת
אֱלִיפָ֑ז
וּ/בָ֣שְׂמַ֔ת
יָלְדָ֖ה
אֶת
רְעוּאֵֽל
וַ/תֵּ֧לֶד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
עָדָ֛ה
ʻÂdâh
H5711
Adah
N-proper
לְ/עֵשָׂ֖ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
Esau
Prep | N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
אֱלִיפָ֑ז
ʼĔlîyphaz
H464
Eliphaz
N-proper
וּ/בָ֣שְׂמַ֔ת
Bosmath
H1315
Basemath
Conj | N-proper
יָלְדָ֖ה
yâlad
H3205
to beget
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
רְעוּאֵֽל
Rᵉʻûwʼêl
H7467
Reuel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 36:4
וַ/תֵּ֧לֶד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
עָדָ֛ה
ʻÂdâh
H5711
"Adah"
N-proper
Adah was the name of two women in the Bible, one the wife of Lamech and mother of Jabal and Jubal, and the other a Hittite and wife of Esau, as mentioned in Genesis 26:34 and 36:2. Her name means ornament in Hebrew.
Definition: A woman living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.26.34; daughter of: Elon (H0356); married to Esau (H6215); mother of: Eliphaz (H0464); also called Basemath (KJV: Bashemath) at Gen.26.34; Also named: bos.mat (בָּֽשְׂמַת "Basemath" H1315H) § Adah = "ornament" 1) the 1st of the 2 wives of Lamech and mother of Jabal and Jubal 2) a Hittitess, 1 of the 3 wives of Esau and mother of Eliphaz 2a) also called 'Bashemath'
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Adah. See also: Genesis 4:19; Genesis 36:4; Genesis 36:16.
לְ/עֵשָׂ֖ו
ʻÊsâv
H6215
"Esau"
Prep | N-proper
Esau was the son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, and his name means 'hairy'. He sold his birthright to Jacob and lost the divine blessing, as told in Genesis 25:29-34, and became the ancestor of the Arab peoples.
Definition: § Esau = "hairy" eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples
Usage: Occurs in 82 OT verses. KJV: Esau. See also: Genesis 25:25; Genesis 33:9; Jeremiah 49:8.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
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.
אֱלִיפָ֑ז
ʼĔlîyphaz
H464
"Eliphaz"
N-proper
Eliphaz was a friend of Job and a son of Esau, whose name means my God is gold. He is mentioned in the book of Job as one of the friends who came to comfort him. The KJV translates his name as Eliphaz.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Job.2.11 § Eliphaz = "my God is (fine) gold" 1) Esau's son, father of Teman 2) the Temanite friend of Job
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: Eliphaz. See also: Genesis 36:4; 1 Chronicles 1:36; Job 42:9.
וּ/בָ֣שְׂמַ֔ת
Bosmath
H1315
"Basemath"
Conj | 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.
יָלְדָ֖ה
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
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.
רְעוּאֵֽל
Rᵉʻûwʼêl
H7467
"Reuel"
N-proper
Reuel, also known as Jethro, was Moses' father-in-law and a significant figure in his life. He was a wise and spiritual leader who advised Moses, as seen in the book of Exodus. The name Reuel means 'friend of God', reflecting his strong faith and relationship with God.
Definition: A man living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Exo.2.18; father of: Zipporah (H6855) and Hobab (H2246); also called Reuel (KJV: Raguel) at Num.10.29; Another name of yit.ro (יִתְרוֹ "Jethro" H3503) § Reuel or Raguel = "friend of God" 1) a son of Esau by his wife Bashemath, the sister of Ishmael 2) the father-in-law of Moses 2a) also 'Jethro' 3) father of Eliasaph, the leader of the tribe of Gad at the time of the census at Sinai 4) a Benjamite, ancestor of Elah
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: Raguel, Reuel. See also: Genesis 36:4; Numbers 2:14; 1 Chronicles 9:8.
Study Notes — Genesis 36:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 36:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 36:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 36:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 36:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 36:4
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 36:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 36:4
- Sermons on Genesis 36:4
Context — The Descendants of Esau
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. 6Later, Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the people of his household, along with his livestock, all his other animals, and all the property he had acquired in Canaan, and he moved to a land far away from his brother Jacob.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 1:35 | The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. |
| 2 | Exodus 2:18 | When the daughters returned to their father Reuel, he asked them, “Why have you returned so early today?” |
| 3 | Job 2:11 | Now when Job’s three friends—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him. |
| 4 | Numbers 10:29 | Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” |
Genesis 36:4 Summary
Genesis 36:4 tells us about the children of Esau, who was the twin brother of Jacob. This verse shows us that Esau had children with his wives, Adah and Basemath, and their names were Eliphaz and Reuel. This is important because it reminds us that God is always working in the lives of His people, even when we don't see it, and that He is faithful to His promises (as seen in Genesis 17:4-6). Just like Esau's family was a part of God's bigger plan, our families and relationships are also part of God's plan, and we can trust Him to guide and direct us (as promised in Proverbs 3:5-6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Genesis 36:4 mention the children of Esau's wives, and what significance does this have?
The mention of Esau's children highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to make Esau a father of many nations, as seen in Genesis 17:4-6 and Genesis 25:23, where God promises to make Esau's descendants a great nation.
How does the fact that Adah and Basemath were Esau's wives, as mentioned in Genesis 36:2-3, relate to the children they bore in Genesis 36:4?
The fact that Adah and Basemath were Esau's wives, as mentioned in Genesis 36:2-3, establishes the family lineage and emphasizes Esau's role as a father, which is a key aspect of his identity as a patriarch, similar to the patriarchs in Genesis 5:1-32 and Genesis 11:10-32.
What can we learn from the names of Esau's children, such as Eliphaz and Reuel, mentioned in Genesis 36:4?
The names of Esau's children, such as Eliphaz and Reuel, may hold significance in understanding their characters or the blessings they received, similar to the naming of children in Genesis 29:32-35, where the names of Jacob's children reflect the circumstances of their birth and the relationships between their parents.
How does Genesis 36:4 fit into the broader narrative of the Bible, particularly in relation to the story of Esau and Jacob?
Genesis 36:4 is part of the larger story of Esau and Jacob, highlighting their distinct paths and the fulfillment of God's promises to them, as seen in Genesis 25:23 and Genesis 27:1-40, where God's sovereignty and election are demonstrated through the lives of these two brothers.
Reflection Questions
- What can I learn from the way Esau's family is presented in Genesis 36:4, and how does this relate to my own family and relationships?
- How does the mention of Esau's children in Genesis 36:4 remind me of God's faithfulness to His promises, and what promises has God made to me that I can trust in?
- In what ways can I apply the principles of family and legacy seen in Genesis 36:4 to my own life, and what kind of legacy do I want to leave for my own children and loved ones?
- How does the fact that Esau's children were born in the land of Canaan, as mentioned in Genesis 36:5, relate to the broader story of God's people and the Promised Land, and what does this mean for me as a believer today?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 36:4
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz,.... This son of Esau, according to Jerom (n), is the same with him mentioned in the book of Job, as one of his friends that came to visit him, Job 2:11; and so says the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 36:4
And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 36:4
Eliphaz, the progenitor of that Eliphaz, . Reuel, the father of Jethro. See .
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 36:4
Genesis 36:4 And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;Ver. 4. Eliphaz.] Job’ s friend, say some: a good man; but much mistaken in Job, whom he so sharply censures.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 36:4
4. Eliphaz] Familiar as the name of one of Job’s friends, Job 2:11. Reuel] The same name as that of Moses’ father-in-law, a Midianite, Exodus 2:18.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 36:4
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 36:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Needed: True Friends by Theodore Epp | Theodore Epp emphasizes the significance of true friendship in times of distress, using the story of Job and his friends as a cautionary tale. While Job's friends initially showed |
|
But Thou Oh Man of God by Edwin Fesche | Edwin Fesche discusses the history and principles of the brethren movement, emphasizing their adherence to the cardinal truths of Scripture while differing in views on Church Truth |