Keraia
Genesis 36

Genesis 36:7

The Descendants of Esau · Genesis 36:1–19
Read Genesis 36

Translations

Modern
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock.
Traditional
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
Literal
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their sojournings was not able to support them because of their cattle.
Latin
Divites enim erant valde, et simul habitare non poterant: nec sustinebat eos terra peregrinationis eorum præ multitudine gregum.

Original

Hebrew
English
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock.

Notes

Genesis 36:7–8

Esau, like Lot, left for the eastern land (compare 13:5–6).

Genesis 36:1–8

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 36:1–43

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Symbolic Numbers

Parallels

1 Chronicles 1:35–37

Glossary

Adah Anah Basemath Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Edom, Edomites Eliphaz Genealogy Genesis, Book of Hivites Jaalam Jalam Jeush Korah Mahalath (Person) Oholibamah Patriarchs, Period of the Reuel Zibeon

Topics

Jacob: His Wealth Riches: Examples of Wicked Men Possessing: Esau