Genesis 36:3

Esau had three wives named Adah, Oholibamah, and Basemath. Two of these names differ from earlier mentions (26:34; 28:9). It is possible the other wives died, Esau preferred these three out of six, or these were different names for the same wives. There is not enough information to know for sure.

The story of Esau emphasizes two main points:

1. The sons of Esau … were born to him in the land of Canaan (36:5) before he moved to Seir (36:8). In contrast, most of Jacob’s children were born outside Canaan but later moved there. God gave the land to Jacob and his descendants, making space for them by settling Esau elsewhere.

2. Esau was also known as Edom. Israel often had conflicts with the Edomites (see 1 Samuel 21:7; 22:9–22; Obadiah 1).

Genesis now turns to the story of Isaac’s sons. It first finishes the account of Esau’s line (chapter 36), who was not chosen. Then it continues with the line of Jacob (chapter 37), whom God chose.