Genesis 36:26 — Word Study
WLCוְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י דִישָׁ֑ן חֶמְדָּ֥ן וְאֶשְׁבָּ֖ן וְיִתְרָ֥ן וּכְרָֽן׃
BSATheseʼêl-leh [specific, particular] are the sonsbên [descendants, children] of DishonDîyshân [an Edomite, son of Seir] HemdanChemdân△ [a chief of Edom] EshbanʼEshbân [fire of discernment] IthranYithrân [a leader] and CheranKᵉrân [lyre, musician]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְאֵ֖לֶּה | and these | Conjunction, particle |
| בְּנֵ֣י | [were] [the] sons of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| דִישָׁ֑ן | Dishan | Noun proper masculine |
| חֶמְדָּ֥ן | Hemdan | Noun proper masculine |
| וְאֶשְׁבָּ֖ן | and Eshban | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וְיִתְרָ֥ן | and Ithran | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| וּכְרָֽן׃ | and Keran | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. |
| KJV | And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. |
| ASV | And these are the children of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran. |
| YLT | And these [are] sons of Dishon: Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran. |
| WEB | These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. |
| BBE | These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. |
Where they part company is in the spelling of Dishon — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause introduces the subject, followed by a list of names that specifies the sons of Dishon.
4 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 7 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 36:26
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Descendants of Esaugenerated
Genesis 36:26 is part of a genealogical record detailing the lineage of Esau, the brother of Jacob. This verse specifically lists the sons of Dishon, an Edomite, and highlights the importance of these names in the context of the Edomite tribes. It serves to establish the family connections and heritage within the narrative of the descendants of Esau, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 1:41 | The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵ֖לֶּה, ve.'E.lehgenerated
The word אֵ֖לֶּה (eleh) means 'these' and is used to indicate specific people or things. It points to the sons of Dishon, making them the focus of this genealogical statement.
This word appears frequently in the Hebrew Bible, often to introduce lists or specific items, emphasizing their importance in the context. Here, it sets apart the descendants of Dishon as notable figures in Edomite history.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb is implicit, with the structure of the verse presenting a noun phrase as the subject: אֵ֖לֶּה these — followed by a noun phrase as the predicate: בְּנֵ֣י דִישָׁ֑ן the sons of Dishon. This construction is typical in Hebrew genealogies, which often use a simple declarative format.
The word order emphasizes the sons of Dishon as the main focus, with the conjunctions linking the names of the sons in a straightforward manner.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֵ֖לֶּה as οὗτοι (houtoi), meaning 'these' or 'those'. This choice maintains the specificity of the Hebrew term, indicating that the focus remains on the particular descendants being listed.
The Greek translation reflects a similar emphasis on the lineage, aligning closely with the Hebrew structure.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 36:26 lists the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. These names are important as they represent the family lineage of the Edomites, highlighting the descendants of Dishon in the context of Esau's descendants.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Dishon was an Edomite, the son of Seir, and is mentioned in the genealogies of Esau in the book of Genesis.
The sons of Dishon represent important figures in the lineage of the Edomites, contributing to the history and identity of this group.
This verse is part of a genealogical account that traces the descendants of Esau, providing context for the Edomite tribes and their relationships.
Eshban means 'fire of discernment' and indicates a role of leadership among the Edomites.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about the importance of lineage and family from this verse?
- How does understanding the names and roles of these descendants enhance our reading of the Genesis narrative?
- In what ways do genealogies like this one contribute to our understanding of biblical history?
- How can we apply the significance of names and heritage in our own lives today?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 36:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd these [are] the sons of Dishon,.... Not of Dishon the son of Anah, but of Dishon the son of Seir, Genesis 36:21; and they are the four following: Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran; the
Read John Gill on Genesis 36 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThese are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah, These are the sons of Seir the Horite.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 36 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. Dishon] Heb. Dishan, “a mountain goat” (Deuteronomy 14:5).
Read Cambridge on Genesis 36 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleSONS OF SEIR THE HORITE, Genesis 36:20-30. The Horites were the original occupants of Mount Seir, (Genesis 14:6,) but it appears from Deuteronomy 2:12; Deuteronomy 2:22, that they were subdued by the
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 36 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.
Tyndale line
And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
And these are the children of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran.
And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran.
And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
Also these are the sonnes of Dishan: Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
Strictly literal
— And these are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
And these [are] sons of Dishon: Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
And these [are] sons of Dishon: Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
And these are the children of Dishan: Chemdan, and Eshban, and Yithran, and Cheran.
These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.
From the Latin
And these were the sons of Dison: Hamdan, and Eseban, and Jethram, and Charan.
Simplified
These were the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and Samaritan Pentateuch all agree on the majority of the wording in this verse, with the Samaritan Pentateuch differing only in the spelling of Dishon. The Dead Sea Scrolls show partial restoration, indicating some textual loss but confirming the overall agreement in names.
וְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י דִישָׁ֑ן חֶמְדָּ֥ן וְאֶשְׁבָּ֖ן וְיִתְרָ֥ן וּכְרָֽן׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ואלה בני דישׁון חמדן ואשׁבן יתרן וכרן
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: דישׁון (Dishon)
[ואלה] [בני] [דישן] [חמדן] ואשבן [ויתרן] [וכרן]
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 36:26
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.
אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these
in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)
repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those
with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)
with preps.
base
H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)
. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those
. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)
. with preps.
428 'el-leh ale'-leh
prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one
sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,
thus, which, who(-m).
see HEBREW for 0411
אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.
1) these
1a) used before antecedent
1b) used following antecedent
Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · particleHC/Tm
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
See SON, SONS.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
דִּישָׁן (Diyshan) refers to a son of Seir, mentioned in Genesis 36:21. He is noted as the fifth son among his siblings, which include Lotan, Shobal, and Dishon. The name is also related to another form, דִּישֹׁן (Dishon), and is interpreted to mean "thresher."
דִּישָׁן n.pr.m. a son of Seir
base
H1789 דִּישָׁן a son of Seir
1789 Diyshan dee-shawn'
another form of 1787 Dishan, an Edomite:--Dishon.
see HEBREW for 01787
דִּישָׁן (di.shan) — Dishan.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.21;
son of: Seir (H8165B);
brother of: Lotan (H3877), Shobal (H7732), Zibeon (H6649H), Anah (H6034H), Dishon (H1787), Ezer (H0687) and Timna (H8555H);
father of: Uz (H5780I), Aran (H0765)
Also named: di.shon (דִּישֹׁן "Dishan" H1787I)
§ Dishan or Dishon = "thresher"
the fifth son of Seir
דִּישָׁן (di.shan) — Dishon.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.21;
son of: Seir (H8165B);
brother of: Lotan (H3877), Shobal (H7732), Zibeon (H6649H), Anah (H6034H), Ezer (H0687), Dishan (H1789) and Timna (H8555H);
father of: Hemdan (H2533), Eshban (H0790), Ithran (H3506), Cheran (H3763)
Another spelling of di.shon (דִּישֹׁן "Dishon" H1787)
§ Dishan or Dishon = "thresher"
the fifth son of Seir
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Dishan
Antelope, the youngest son of Seir the Horite, head of one of the tribes of Idumaea (Gen. 36:21, 28, 30).
(antelope), the youngest son of Seir the Horite. (Genesis 36:21,28,30; 1 Chronicles 1:38,42)
a threshing
חֶמְדָּן (Chemdan) refers to an Edomite, specifically a man mentioned in the Old Testament as the eldest son of Dishon. The name is derived from a root meaning 'pleasant' and is associated with the notion of 'desire.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 36:26 and is noted to have brothers named Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
חֶמְדָּן n.pr.m. an Edomite
base
H2533 חֶמְדָּן an Edomite
2533 Chemdan khem-dawn'
from 2531; pleasant; Chemdan, an Idumaean:--Hemdan.
see HEBREW for 02531
חֶמְדָּן (chem.dan) — Hemdan.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.26;
son of: Dishon (H1787);
brother of: Eshban (H0790), Ithran (H3506) and Cheran (H3763)
Also named: cham.ran (חַמְרָן "Hemdan" H2566)
§ Hemdan = "desire"
the eldest son of Dishon, son of Anah the Horite
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
(pleasant), the eldest son of Dishon, son of Anah the Horite. (Genesis 36:26) [AMRAM, 2] (B.C. about 1500.)
→ Son of Dishon Ge 36:26
אֶשְׁבָּן (eshban) refers to a chief of Edom, identified as a man from the time of the Patriarchs, specifically mentioned in Genesis 36:26. The name may mean 'fire of discernment' and is likely derived from a root meaning vigorous, connecting it to the broader context of Edomite lineage.
אֶשְׁבָּן n.pr.m. a chief of Edom
base
H790 אֶשְׁבָּן a chief of Edom
790 'Eshban esh-bawn'
probably from the same as 7644; vigorous; Eshban, an
Idumaean:--Eshban.
see HEBREW for 07644
אֶשְׁבָּן (esh.ban) — Eshban.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.26;
son of: Dishon (H1787);
brother of: Hemdan (H2533), Ithran (H3506) and Cheran (H3763)
§ Eshban = "fire of discernment"
an chief of Edom
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
(wise man), a Horite; one of the four sons of Dishon. (Genesis 36:26; 1 Chronicles 1:41)
The Hebrew word יִתְרָן (*Yithran*) refers to two individuals: an Edomite, son of Dishon, and a man from the tribe of Asher, son of Zophah. The name is derived from a root meaning 'excellent' or 'advantage.' It appears in the contexts of Genesis 36:26 and 1 Chronicles 7:37, highlighting its connection to both Edomite and Israelite lineages.
יִתְרָן n.pr.m.
an Edomite
a man of Asher
base
H3506 יִתְרָן . an Edomite
. a man of Asher
3506 Yithran yith-rawn'
from 3498; excellent; Jithran, the name of an Edomite and of
an Israelite:--Ithran.
see HEBREW for 03498
יִתְרָן (yit.ran) — Ithran.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.26;
son of: Dishon (H1787);
brother of: Hemdan (H2533), Eshban (H0790) and Cheran (H3763)
§ Ithran = "advantage"
1) an Edomite, son of Dishon, a Horite, and probably a phylarch of a tribe of the Horim
2) an descendant of Asher
יִתְרָן (yit.ran) — Ithran.
A man of the tribe of Asher living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.7.37;
son of: Zophah (H6690);
brother of: Suah (H5477), Harnepher (H2774), Shual (H7777B), Beri (H1275), Imrah (H3236), Bezer (H1221H), Hod (H1936), Shamma (H8037H), Shilshah (H8030) and Beera (H0878);
father of: Jephunneh (H3312H), Pispa (H6462) and Ara (H0690); also called Jether at 1Ch.7.38;
Also named: ye.ter (יֶ֫תֶר "Jether" H3500K)
§ Ithran = "advantage"
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
(excellence). A son of Dishon, a Horite, (Genesis 36:26; 1 Chronicles 1:41) and probably a phylarch of a tribe of the Horim. (Genesis 36:30) (B.C. about 1800.) A descendant of Asher. (1 Chronicles 7:30-40)
remaining; searching out diligently
כְּרָ֑ן (keran) refers to Cheran, an Edomite mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in Genesis 36:26. He is identified as a son of Dishon and a brother to Eshban, Ithran, and Hemdan. The name is noted to mean "lyre," but its derivation is uncertain.
כְּרָ֑ן n.pr.m., an Edomite
base
H3763 כְּרָ֑ן an Edomite
3763 Kran ker-awn'
of uncertain derivation; Keran, an aboriginal
Idumaean:--Cheran.
כְּרָ֑ן (ke.ran) — Cheran.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.26;
son of: Dishon (H1787);
brother of: Eshban (H0790), Ithran (H3506) and Hemdan (H2533)
§ Cheran = "lyre"
an Edomite, one of the sons of Dishon, the Horite duke
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm