05.041. Chapter 36

Genesis 36:1-43 This chapter is devoted to the descendants of Esau, who dwell in the land of Edom. southeast of the Dead Sea. The genealogy represents the fulfillment of the promise that Esau would be the head of a nation (Genesis 25:23). Esau had three or possibly four wives, depending on whether some of the women had two names (compare Genesis 36:34; Genesis 28:9; Genesis 36:2-3). In Genesis 36:24 Anah found “hot springs” (NASB) in the wilderness, not “mules” (KJV). Moses, the author of Genesis, knew by divine revelation (see Genesis 35:11) that Israel would eventually have kings (Genesis 36:31). As seven generations of the ungodly line of Cain were given in Genesis 4:1-26, so seven generations of kings in the ungodly line of Esau are mentioned here in Genesis 36:33-39. Seven, the number of completeness, probably indicates the entire line. Not one of Esau’s descendants is mentioned in God’s registry of the faithful; all are lost in the obscurity of those who depart from the living God. They had temporary riches and the passing fame of this world, but nothing for eternity.