1
וְאֵ֛לֶּה תֹּלְד֥וֹת עֵשָׂ֖ו ה֥וּא אֱדֽוֹם
And these are the generations of Esau, that is, Edom.
A formal toledot heading identifies Esau with Edom and frames what follows as an ethnogenetic record.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (toledot heading formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) demonstrative pronoun 'these'; with וְ launches the toledot formula that structures Genesis genealogical records.
תֹּלְד֥וֹתthe generationsN f pl constr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate nominative (heading noun in construct)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, family history, descendants', from יָלַד 'to bear'; the toledot heading frames what follows as an ethnogenetic record.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival — whose generations)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau, elder twin of Jacob, son of Isaac; sells his birthright (Gen 25); the entire chapter traces his non-covenant descendants.
ה֥וּאthat ispers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular apposition marker (equates Esau with Edom)הוּא (H1931) 'he / that'; here functions as a copular particle of identification, equating Esau with Edom — a formula repeated in vv. 8–9, 19, 43.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Predicate of identificationאֱדוֹם (H123) Edom, the nation and territory descended from Esau; related to אָדֹם 'red', evoking the red stew (Gen 25:30).
2
עֵשָׂ֛ו לָקַ֥ח אֶת נָשָׁ֖יו מִבְּנ֣וֹת כְּנָ֑עַן אֶת עָדָ֗ה בַּת אֵילוֹן֙ הַֽחִתִּ֔י וְאֶת אָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙ בַּת עֲנָ֔ה בַּת צִבְע֖וֹן הַֽחִוִּֽי
Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, daughter of Zibeon the Hivite,
The genealogy begins with Esau’s marriages, locating the Edomite line within remembered Canaanite and local kin connections.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
עֵשָׂ֛וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subjectעֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; unnamed subject resumes from the toledot heading and launches the wife-list.
לָקַ֥חtookQal perf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed, decisive taking in marriageלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; frequently used for taking a wife; the perfective records marriages as established historical fact.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite direct object follows)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking a definite direct object; untranslated in English.
נָשָׁ֖יוhis wivesN f pl constr + suf 3ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; plural with 3ms suffix — Esau's multiple wives are introduced before their individual names follow.
מִבְּנ֣וֹתfrom daughters ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Source prepositional phrase (origin of the wives)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; with מִן the phrase marks the social pool from which the wives were taken.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Construct chain (genitival)כְּנַעַן (H3667) Canaan, the land and peoples west of the Jordan; Esau's Canaanite marriages contrast with Jacob's Aramean wives.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resuming individual names of wives)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; resumes the object specification to name first wife.
עָדָ֗הAdahproper N · עָדָה (H5711)Direct object (first wife named)עָדָה (H5711) Adah, Esau's first wife listed; daughter of Elon the Hittite; mother of Eliphaz.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival — filial identification)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; in construct introduces the father's name for genealogical identification.
אֵילוֹן֙Elonproper N · אֵילוֹן (H356)Construct chain (genitival)אֵילוֹן (H356) Elon the Hittite, father of Adah; a Canaanite figure providing kinship links for Esau's line.
הַֽחִתִּ֔יthe Hittiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Appositional ethnonym (identifies Elon's people)חִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite', gentilic from חֵת (H2845); the Hittites appear as a Canaanite people in ancestral narratives.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second wife)וְ coordinates second wife; אֵת marks her as the next definite direct object.
אָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙Oholibamahproper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Direct object (second wife named)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah, Esau's wife; daughter of Anah daughter of Zibeon; mother of Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; in construct with Anah.
עֲנָ֔הAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Construct chain (genitival)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah, father of Oholibamah; the same name appears in the Horite genealogy as Zibeon's son (v. 24).
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Second construct chain (extending lineage one further generation)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; extends the identification back to Zibeon, disambiguating the Anah who is Oholibamah's grandfather.
צִבְע֖וֹןZibeonproper N · צִבְעוֹן (H6649)Construct chain (genitival)צִבְעוֹן (H6649) Zibeon the Hivite, father of Anah, grandfather of Oholibamah; also a Horite chief in vv. 20, 29.
הַֽחִוִּֽיthe Hiviteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Appositional ethnonymחִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite', gentilic; the Hivites are one of the Canaanite peoples regularly enumerated in the ancestral and conquest periods.
3
וְאֶת בָּשְׂמַ֥ת בַּת יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל אֲח֥וֹת נְבָיֽוֹת
and Basemath the daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebaioth.
The wife-list is completed by linking Esau also to the Ishmaelite line.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third wife)וְ + אֵת resumes the wife-list for the third wife, completing the triad of Esau's wives.
בָּשְׂמַ֥תBasemathproper N · בָּשְׂמַת (H1315)Direct object (third wife named)בָּשְׂמַת (H1315) Basemath, Esau's wife, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth; through her the Edomite and Ishmaelite lines intersect.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; in construct with Ishmael, placing Basemath within the Abrahamic non-covenant line.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אלIshmaelproper N · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Construct chain (genitival)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458) Ishmael, son of Abraham by Hagar; his daughter Basemath connecting Edom to the broader Abrahamic family tree.
אֲח֥וֹתsister ofN f sg constr · אָחוֹת (H269)Appositional construct (secondary identification)אָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; the sibling link to Nebaioth confirms Basemath's Ishmaelite identity and places her in the firstborn line.
נְבָיֽוֹתNebaiothproper N · נְבָיוֹת (H5032)Construct chain (genitival)נְבָיוֹת (H5032) Nebaioth, Ishmael's firstborn (Gen 25:13); his sister Basemath becomes Esau's wife, linking Edom to the Ishmaelite firstborn line.
4
וַתֵּ֧לֶד עָדָ֛ה לְעֵשָׂ֖ו אֶת אֱלִיפָ֑ז וּבָ֣שְׂמַ֔ת יָלְדָ֖ה אֶת רְעוּאֵֽל
And Adah bore to Esau Eliphaz, and Basemath bore Reuel,
Attention turns from wives to sons, establishing the primary branches of Esau's house.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַתֵּ֧לֶדand she boreconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; Qal 3fs; the wayyiqtol advances the birth-record, turning from the wife-list to the son-list.
עָדָ֛הAdahproper N · עָדָה (H5711)Subject (post-verbal, identified by name)עָדָה (H5711) Adah; first wife named in the son-list, corresponding to her position in the wife-list (v. 2).
לְעֵשָׂ֖וto Esauprep לְ + proper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Benefactive prepositional phrase (father to whom sons are born)לְ + עֵשָׂו; the preposition marks the father-recipient in birth-record formulas.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
אֱלִיפָ֑זEliphazproper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Direct object (son named)אֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz, Esau's eldest son by Adah; father of five sons plus Amalek by his concubine Timna (vv. 11–12).
וּבָ֣שְׂמַ֔תand Basemathconj וּ + proper N · בָּשְׂמַת (H1315)Subject (second wife, resumed as new subject)בָּשְׂמַת (H1315) Basemath, Esau's third wife; her birth notice follows directly without a new verb.
יָלְדָ֖הboreQal perf 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (parallel birth clause)→ Perfective: completed birth action stated separatelyיָלַד (H3205) Qal perf 3fs; the shift from wayyiqtol to perfect for the second wife marks a parallel but slightly subordinate birth notice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
רְעוּאֵֽלReuelproper N · רְעוּאֵל (H7467)Direct object (son named)רְעוּאֵל (H7467) Reuel, Esau's son by Basemath; his four sons — Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah — form their own chief-branch (v. 17).
5
וְאָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙ יָֽלְדָ֔ה אֶת יעיש יְע֥וּשׁ וְאֶת יַעְלָ֖ם וְאֶת קֹ֑רַח אֵ֚לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י עֵשָׂ֔ו אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֻלְּדוּ ל֖וֹ בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן
and Oholibamah bore Jeush and Jalam and Korah. These are the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.
The sons born in Canaan are gathered into a first summary before the migration to Seir.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙and Oholibamahconj וְ + proper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Subject (third wife, continues the parallel structure)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah, Esau's second wife in v. 2; listed third in the son-record.
יָֽלְדָ֔הboreQal perf 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (third parallel birth clause)→ Perfective: completed birth actionיָלַד (H3205) Qal perf 3fs; third parallel birth verb completes the wife-to-son structure.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first of Oholibamah's sons)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
יעישJeushproper N · יְעִישׁ (H3274)Direct object (first son named — ketiv form)יְעִישׁ (H3274) Jeush, Esau's son by Oholibamah; the unpointed ketiv spelling יעיש appears here alongside the qere יְעוּשׁ.
יְע֥וּשׁJeushproper N · יְעוּשׁ (H3266)Direct object (qere form of same son)יְעוּשׁ (H3266) Jeush; the pointed qere form of the same name as the preceding ketiv entry.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second son)וְ + אֵת marks Jalam as the second definite direct object.
יַעְלָ֖םJalamproper N · יַעְלָם (H3281)Direct object (second son named)יַעְלָם (H3281) Jalam, Esau's second son by Oholibamah; listed among the chiefs in v. 18.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third son)וְ + אֵת marks Korah as the third definite direct object.
קֹ֑רַחKorahproper N · קֹרַח (H7141)Direct object (third son named)קֹרַח (H7141) Korah, Esau's son by Oholibamah; the name recurs for the Levitical rebel in Num 16, though a different figure.
אֵ֚לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (summary clause — gathers the preceding list)אֵלֶּה (H428) demonstrative pronoun 'these'; shifts register from list to retrospective summary of sons born in Canaan.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural construct introduces the father's name; the term gathers all three maternal lines.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the father who holds all three son-branches together in the pre-migration summary.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the birth-location clause that geographically situates the sons before migration.
יֻלְּדוּwere bornPual perf 3cp · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (relative clause — passive birth)→ Perfective: completed state — passive birth in a specific landיָלַד (H3205) Pual 'to be born'; passive of Qal 'to bear'; the Pual specifies geographic context — born in Canaan before Esau migrated.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + suf 3msIndirect object / beneficiary (Esau as father)לְ + הוּא; prepositional phrase with 3ms suffix referring back to עֵשָׂו as the father.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; with בְּ marking location — Canaan is the birth-land before migration to Seir.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanproper N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Construct chain (genitival)כְּנַעַן (H3667) Canaan; the land of sojourning before separation from Jacob and relocation to Seir.
6
וַיִּקַּ֣ח עֵשָׂ֡ו אֶת נָ֠שָׁיו וְאֶת בָּנָ֣יו וְאֶת בְּנֹתָיו֮ וְאֶת כָּל נַפְשׁ֣וֹת בֵּיתוֹ֒ וְאֶת מִקְנֵ֣הוּ וְאֶת כָּל בְּהֶמְתּ֗וֹ וְאֵת֙ כָּל קִנְיָנ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָכַ֖שׁ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אֶל אֶ֔רֶץ מִפְּנֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֥ב אָחִֽיו
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his livestock, and all his cattle, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to a land away from Jacob his brother.
Esau’s whole household and wealth are gathered for departure, and the narrative formally separates his line from Jacob’s.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
וַיִּקַּ֣חand he tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — main narrative move)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the wayyiqtol opens the departure scene — Esau gathers all he has.
עֵשָׂ֡וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject (explicit, emphatic)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the explicit subject emphasizes his agency in the separation movement.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first in long inventory)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; begins a sevenfold inventory list of Esau's household.
נָ֠שָׁיוhis wivesN f pl constr + suf 3ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object (first inventory item — wives)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; the inventory begins with persons (wives), then sons, daughters, household souls, livestock, cattle, property.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second item)וְ + אֵת coordinates each successive item in the departure inventory.
בָּנָ֣יוhis sonsN m pl constr + suf 3ms · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (second inventory item — sons)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the sons are included in the migration, establishing continuity of the line in Seir.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third item)וְ + אֵת continues the inventory enumeration.
בְּנֹתָיו֮his daughtersN f pl constr + suf 3ms · בַּת (H1323)Direct object (third inventory item — daughters)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; daughters are included, showing the migration takes the entire household unit.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth item)וְ + אֵת continues inventory.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in construct (modifying נַפְשׁוֹת)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct before a noun functions as a comprehensive quantifier.
נַפְשׁ֣וֹתpersonsN f pl abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object (fourth inventory item — household persons)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being'; here 'persons of his household' — servants and dependents counted as part of the migrating unit.
בֵּיתוֹ֒his houseN m sg constr + suf 3ms · בַּיִת (H1004)Construct chain (genitival — whose persons)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the נַפְשׁוֹת בֵּיתוֹ formula encompasses all persons under his household authority.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fifth item)וְ + אֵת continues the inventory.
מִקְנֵ֣הוּhis livestockN m sg constr + suf 3ms · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Direct object (fifth inventory item — livestock)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle, property in animals'; from קָנָה 'to acquire'; marks wealth in pastoral terms.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (sixth item)וְ + אֵת continues inventory.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in constructכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; comprehensive quantifier before בְּהֵמָה.
בְּהֶמְתּ֗וֹhis cattleN f sg constr + suf 3ms · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Direct object (sixth inventory item — cattle/beasts)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'cattle, livestock, beast'; a broader term than מִקְנֶה, covering all domestic animals.
וְאֵת֙and [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (seventh item)וְ + אֵת concludes the inventory before the final noun.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in constructכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; before קִנְיָן, emphasizing the totality of Esau's property.
קִנְיָנ֔וֹhis propertyN m sg constr + suf 3ms · קִנְיָן (H7075)Direct object (seventh inventory item — possessions)קִנְיָן (H7075) 'property, possessions, what is acquired'; from קָנָה; the final inventory term caps the enumeration of Esau's considerable wealth.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (modifying קִנְיָן)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces a clause specifying where the property was accumulated.
רָכַ֖שׁhe had acquiredQal perf 3ms · רָכַשׁ (H7408)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed acquisition in a past placeרָכַשׁ (H7408) 'to accumulate, acquire'; used for property accumulated during sojourn; echoes similar notices in the Abraham and Jacob cycles.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with בְּ marking the place of prior accumulation.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanproper N · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Construct chain (genitival)כְּנַעַן (H3667) Canaan; the land Esau leaves, taking all accumulated wealth to Seir.
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְand he wentconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — second main narrative move)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (the departure itself)הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk, depart'; the wayyiqtol marks the decisive departure from Canaan.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition marking the destination territory.
אֶ֔רֶץa landN sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of directional prepositionאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; here in absolute, indefinite — 'to a land away from Jacob' — the territory of Seir implied but not yet named.
מִפְּנֵ֖יfrom beforeprep מִן + N pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Reason/source prepositional phrase (because of Jacob)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מִפְּנֵי 'from before / because of'; the phrase echoes earlier patriarchal separations (cf. Gen 13; 26).
יַעֲקֹ֥בJacobproper N · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Object of מִפְּנֵי (the one whose presence Esau left)יַעֲקֹב (H3290) Jacob, Esau's twin; the separation from Jacob is the structuring premise of Esau's migration to Seir.
אָחִֽיוhis brotherN m sg constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Appositional identifier (Jacob named as brother)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the sibling bond acknowledged even as the separation is recorded; cf. Gen 33 reunion as background.
7
כִּֽי הָיָ֧ה רְכוּשָׁ֛ם רָ֖ב מִשֶּׁ֣בֶת יַחְדָּ֑ו וְלֹ֨א יָֽכְלָ֜ה אֶ֤רֶץ מְגֽוּרֵיהֶם֙ לָשֵׂ֣את אֹתָ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֖י מִקְנֵיהֶֽם
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.
The reason for separation is material abundance: as with earlier patriarchal divisions, joint dwelling becomes unsustainable.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the departure of v. 6)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because, that'; here causal — the following clause explains why Esau had to separate from Jacob.
הָיָ֧הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed state of affairsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; stative use — the state of wealth too great for joint dwelling is presented as an accomplished fact.
רְכוּשָׁ֛םtheir possessionsN m sg constr + suf 3mp · רְכוּשׁ (H7399)Subject of הָיָהרְכוּשׁ (H7399) 'property, possessions, goods'; from רָכַשׁ (H7408); the joint wealth of Esau and Jacob together is too great to sustain shared occupancy.
רָ֖בgreatadj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective (the greatness of their possessions)רַב (H7227) 'many, great, abundant'; the same structural reason is given for the Abraham–Lot separation in Gen 13:6.
מִשֶּׁ֣בֶתfor dwellingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Comparative prepositional phrase (too great to allow dwelling)→ Infinitive: purpose/result of excess wealthיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; Qal inf constr with מִן expresses comparison — 'too great for dwelling together'.
יַחְדָּ֑וtogetheradverb · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverbial modifier (joint dwelling)יַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together, in union'; the adverb underscores the physical and economic impossibility of cohabitation.
וְלֹ֨אand notconj וְ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negationלֹא (H3808) standard strong negation; with וְ adds the second clause of incapacity.
יָֽכְלָ֜הwas ableQal perf 3fs · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (negated — the land could not support them)→ Perfective: state of incapacity realizedיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; here negated — the land of sojourning could not bear the combined livestock of both patriarchs.
אֶ֤רֶץthe landN sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of יָכְלָה (land as unable to support)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; here in construct with מְגוּרֵיהֶם — the sojourning-land as subject emphasizes carrying-capacity limits.
מְגֽוּרֵיהֶם֙their sojourningsN m pl constr + suf 3mp · מָגוּר (H4033)Construct chain (genitival — land of their sojourning)מָגוּר (H4033) 'place of sojourning, temporary dwelling'; from גּוּר 'to sojourn'; the term marks the patriarchal land tenure as temporary, not owned.
לָשֵׂ֣אתto supportprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Purpose/result infinitive (what the land could not do)→ Infinitive: capacity the land lackedנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear, support'; with לְ gives the purpose — the land could not 'carry' them, i.e., sustain them.
אֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + suf 3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לָשֵׂאת (the ones the land could not support)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix — the combined persons and livestock of Esau and Jacob.
מִפְּנֵ֖יbecause ofprep מִן + N pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase (the cause of unsustainability)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; מִפְּנֵי 'because of'; their livestock is the specific cause of the land's overload.
מִקְנֵיהֶֽםtheir livestockN m sg constr + suf 3mp · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Object of מִפְּנֵי (the livestock that overwhelmed the land)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle'; the herds of both patriarchs together exceed the land's carrying capacity — the economic basis for the separation.
8
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב עֵשָׂו֙ בְּהַ֣ר שֵׂעִ֔יר עֵשָׂ֖ו ה֥וּא אֱדֽוֹם
And Esau dwelt in the hill country of Seir; Esau, that is, Edom.
The migration resolves in settled territorial identity, and the Esau-Edom identification is restated with emphasis.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁבand he settledconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — narrative resolution)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (the settlement)יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, settle, sit'; the wayyiqtol resolves the migration of v. 6 — Esau is now permanently settled in Seir.
עֵשָׂו֙Esauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subjectעֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; explicit subject marks the narrative climax of his territorial establishment.
בְּהַ֣רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (settlement location)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill-country'; Seir's hill-country becomes Esau's permanent territorial base.
שֵׂעִ֔ירSeirproper N · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Construct chain (genitival — the hill country named)שֵׂעִיר (H8165) Seir, the mountain territory east of the Arabah; named for the Horite Seir (v. 20); now definitively Esau's/Edom's land.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of resumptive identification clauseעֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; repeated to anchor the identification formula that follows.
ה֥וּאthat ispers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular apposition markerהוּא (H1931) 'he / that'; copular identificatory particle — repeats the Esau = Edom formula from v. 1, reinforcing the ethnic-territorial claim.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Predicate of identificationאֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the formula הוּא אֱדוֹם recurs here to stamp Esau's settlement in Seir as the origin of Edomite national identity.
9
וְאֵ֛לֶּה תֹּלְד֥וֹת עֵשָׂ֖ו אֲבִ֣י אֱד֑וֹם בְּהַ֖ר שֵׂעִֽיר
And these are the generations of Esau, father of Edom, in the hill country of Seir.
A second genealogical heading narrows the focus from Esau generally to Esau as the father of Edom in Seir.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (second toledot heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; second toledot heading narrows focus from Esau broadly to Esau as father of Edom in Seir.
תֹּלְד֥וֹתthe generationsN f pl constr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate nominative (heading noun)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, family record'; the second toledot clause now focuses the genealogy on Esau's territorial descendants.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the subject of this genealogical sub-unit, now identified specifically as father of Edom.
אֲבִ֣יfather ofN m sg constr · אָב (H1)Appositional construct (identifies Esau's role)אָב (H1) 'father'; in construct with Edom — 'father of Edom' is a formal title establishing Esau's founding role for the Edomite nation.
אֱד֑וֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival — whose father Esau is)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; as the object of 'father of', confirms Esau's ethnogenetic role for this nation-people.
בְּהַ֖רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (territorial setting of the genealogy)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill-country'; with Seir specifies the geographic stage for what follows.
שֵׂעִֽירSeirproper N · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׂעִיר (H8165) Seir; the territorial anchor for Esau's entire line as presented in vv. 9–19.
10
אֵ֖לֶּה שְׁמ֣וֹת בְּנֵֽי עֵשָׂ֑ו אֱלִיפַ֗ז בֶּן עָדָה֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת עֵשָׂ֔ו רְעוּאֵ֕ל בֶּן בָּשְׂמַ֖ת אֵ֥שֶׁת עֵשָֽׂו
These are the names of the sons of Esau: Eliphaz the son of Adah, wife of Esau; Reuel the son of Basemath, wife of Esau.
Formal naming restarts the list and organizes Esau's line through maternal branches.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אֵ֖לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (name-list heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; launches the formal naming of Esau's sons organized by their mothers.
שְׁמ֣וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (heading — 'these are the names')שֵׁם (H8034) 'name, reputation'; in plural construct — the formal name-list shifts from birth records to a named roster.
בְּנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the construct phrase 'names of sons of Esau' opens the organized son-register.
עֵשָׂ֑וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the father whose line is now formally enumerated by name.
אֱלִיפַ֗זEliphazproper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Apposition / first name in registerאֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn by Adah; ancestor of five chiefs plus Amalek; his name may mean 'my God is fine gold'.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival — matrilineal specification)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the construct with the mother's name organizes the listing by maternal branch.
עָדָה֙Adahproper N · עָדָה (H5711)Construct chain (genitival — mother named)עָדָה (H5711) Adah, Esau's wife; her name organizes the first son-branch of Eliphaz.
אֵ֣שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional construct (Adah identified as Esau's wife)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; in construct with Esau — the genealogy anchors the maternal line through formal wife-identification.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; anchors Adah as wife of Esau, ensuring the correct branch identity.
רְעוּאֵ֕לReuelproper N · רְעוּאֵל (H7467)Apposition / second name in registerרְעוּאֵל (H7467) Reuel, Esau's son by Basemath; his four sons become chiefs in v. 17; the name may mean 'friend of God'.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival — second matrilineal specification)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; second maternal branch identification.
בָּשְׂמַ֖תBasemathproper N · בָּשְׂמַת (H1315)Construct chain (genitival — mother named)בָּשְׂמַת (H1315) Basemath, Esau's wife, daughter of Ishmael; her son Reuel heads the second chief-branch.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional constructאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; parallel wife-identification for the second maternal branch.
עֵשָֽׂוEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; repeated to anchor Basemath as his wife and Reuel within his line.
11
וַיִּהְי֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י אֱלִיפָ֑ז תֵּימָ֣ן אוֹמָ֔ר צְפ֥וֹ וְגַעְתָּ֖ם וּקְנַֽז
And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.
Eliphaz’s line is opened first and begins to expand into named sub-branches.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּהְי֖וּand wereconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — branch expansion)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the wayyiqtol advances the listing — the sons of Eliphaz now come into view.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject in construct (subject of וַיִּהְיוּ)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the sons of Eliphaz will become Edomite chiefs in v. 15.
אֱלִיפָ֑זEliphazproper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz; his five sons listed here, with Amalek added via concubine in v. 12.
תֵּימָ֣ןTemanproper N · תֵּימָן (H8487)Predicate nominative / first son namedתֵּימָן (H8487) Teman, son of Eliphaz; progenitor of the Temanites — a region famous for wisdom (Jer 49:7; Job's friend Eliphaz is from Teman).
אוֹמָ֔רOmarproper N · אוֹמָר (H201)Predicate nominative / second son namedאוֹמָר (H201) Omar, son of Eliphaz; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 15).
צְפ֥וֹZephoproper N · צְפוֹ (H6825)Predicate nominative / third son namedצְפוֹ (H6825) Zepho, son of Eliphaz; appears as Zephi in 1 Chr 1:36; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 15).
וְגַעְתָּ֖םand Gatamconj וְ + proper N · גַּעְתָּם (H1609)Predicate nominative / fourth son namedגַּעְתָּם (H1609) Gatam, son of Eliphaz; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 16).
וּקְנַֽזand Kenazconj וּ + proper N · קְנַז (H7073)Predicate nominative / fifth son namedקְנַז (H7073) Kenaz, son of Eliphaz; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 15); the Kenizzites (Num 32:12) may derive from this line.
12
וְתִמְנַ֣ע הָיְתָ֣ה פִילֶ֗גֶשׁ לֶֽאֱלִיפַז֙ בֶּן עֵשָׂ֔ו וַתֵּ֥לֶד לֶאֱלִיפַ֖ז אֶת עֲמָלֵ֑ק אֵ֕לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י עָדָ֖ה אֵ֥שֶׁת עֵשָֽׂו
And Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, son of Esau, and she bore to Eliphaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, wife of Esau.
The Eliphaz line is extended by the concubine notice and by Amalek, then gathered back under Adah’s branch.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְתִמְנַ֣עand Timnaconj וְ + proper N · תִּמְנַע (H8555)Subject (supplementary notice about a concubine)תִּמְנַע (H8555) Timna, concubine of Eliphaz; her inclusion explains Amalek's parentage within the Edomite line; also a Horite chief-name in v. 40.
הָיְתָ֣הwasQal perf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause — status of Timna)→ Perfective: completed stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; stative — states Timna's established status as concubine.
פִילֶ֗גֶשׁa concubineN f sg abs · פִּילֶגֶשׁ (H6370)Predicate nominative (Timna's status)פִּילֶגֶשׁ (H6370) 'concubine'; a secondary wife with a recognized but subordinate legal status; the origin of Amalek through this secondary union is genealogically significant.
לֶֽאֱלִיפַז֙to Eliphazprep לְ + proper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Benefactive prepositional phrase (whose concubine she was)אֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz; Timna is his concubine, not a full wife; this subordinate union produces Amalek.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositional construct (identifies Eliphaz's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; clarifies that Eliphaz is Esau's son, contextualizing Amalek as Esau's grandson.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; Amalek is thus Esau's grandson through his son's concubine.
וַתֵּ֥לֶדand she boreconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — birth narrated)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; the wayyiqtol records Timna's birth of Amalek as the culmination of the concubine notice.
לֶאֱלִיפַ֖זto Eliphazprep לְ + proper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Indirect object / beneficiaryאֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz; the father to whom Amalek is born.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
עֲמָלֵ֑קAmalekproper N · עֲמָלֵק (H6002)Direct object (son named)עֲמָלֵק (H6002) Amalek, Eliphaz's son by his concubine Timna; progenitor of the Amalekites, Israel's persistent enemy from Exod 17 onward.
אֵ֕לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (summary clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; introduces the retrospective summary gathering all sons under Adah's branch name.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the summary restates the entire Eliphaz branch as Adah's sons.
עָדָ֖הAdahproper N · עָדָה (H5711)Construct chain (genitival — mother)עָדָה (H5711) Adah; the maternal branch designation under which all of Eliphaz's line (including Amalek) is gathered.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional constructאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Adah is identified as Esau's wife to close the first maternal branch.
עֵשָֽׂוEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the closure formula ties the Adah-Eliphaz-Amalek branch back to the patriarch.
13
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ בְּנֵ֣י רְעוּאֵ֔ל נַ֥חַת וָזֶ֖רַח שַׁמָּ֣ה וּמִזָּ֑ה אֵ֣לֶּ֣ה הָי֔וּ בְּנֵ֥י בָשְׂמַ֖ת אֵ֥שֶׁת עֵשָֽׂו
And these are the sons of Reuel: Nahath and Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the sons of Basemath, wife of Esau.
Reuel’s line is given in parallel form and then tied back to Basemath.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙and theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (second branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the parallel listing for the second son's descendants.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the construct pairs with Reuel to open his branch.
רְעוּאֵ֔לReuelproper N · רְעוּאֵל (H7467)Construct chain (genitival)רְעוּאֵל (H7467) Reuel, Esau's son by Basemath; his four sons each become Edomite chiefs in v. 17.
נַ֥חַתNahathproper N · נַחַת (H5184)Predicate nominative / first son namedנַחַת (H5184) Nahath, son of Reuel; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 17).
וָזֶ֖רַחand Zerahconj וְ + proper N · זֶרַח (H2226)Predicate nominative / second son namedזֶרַח (H2226) Zerah, son of Reuel; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 17); the name also belongs to Judah's son (Gen 38:30).
שַׁמָּ֣הShammahproper N · שַׁמָּה (H8048)Predicate nominative / third son namedשַׁמָּה (H8048) Shammah, son of Reuel; one of Edom's chiefs (v. 17).
וּמִזָּ֑הand Mizzahconj וּ + proper N · מִזָּה (H4199)Predicate nominative / fourth son namedמִזָּה (H4199) Mizzah, son of Reuel; fourth and final son, completing Reuel's branch (v. 17).
אֵ֣לֶּ֣הthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (summary clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes the Reuel branch with a summary identifying all his sons under Basemath.
הָי֔וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (summary clause)→ Perfective: completed historical stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the perfect tense states these as established historical persons.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the summary gathers all four sons under the maternal designation.
בָשְׂמַ֖תBasemathproper N · בָּשְׂמַת (H1315)Construct chain (genitival — mother)בָּשְׂמַת (H1315) Basemath, Esau's wife; the maternal branch under which Reuel and his sons fall.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional constructאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Basemath identified as Esau's wife to close the second maternal branch.
עֵשָֽׂוEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the closure anchor for the second branch.
14
וְאֵ֣לֶּה הָי֗וּ בְּנֵ֨י אָהֳלִיבָמָ֧ה בַת עֲנָ֛ה בַּת צִבְע֖וֹן אֵ֣שֶׁת עֵשָׂ֑ו וַתֵּ֣לֶד לְעֵשָׂ֔ו אֶת יעיש יְע֥וּשׁ וְאֶת יַעְלָ֖ם וְאֶת קֹֽרַח
And these were the sons of Oholibamah daughter of Anah, daughter of Zibeon, wife of Esau: and she bore to Esau Jeush and Jalam and Korah.
The third maternal branch is restated with full lineage markers before listing Oholibamah’s sons.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאֵ֣לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (third branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; launches the third and final wife-branch.
הָי֗וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed historical listingהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the perfect states the existence of this branch as historical record.
בְּנֵ֨יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; introduces the third maternal branch.
אָהֳלִיבָמָ֧הOholibamahproper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Construct chain (genitival — mother)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah, Esau's wife; her full lineage is given before her sons are named.
בַתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival — filial ID of Oholibamah)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; first level of Oholibamah's lineage.
עֲנָ֛הAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Construct chain (genitival)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah, Oholibamah's father; also the Horite who found the yemim (v. 24).
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Second construct chain (extending lineage)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; extends identification back one more generation to Zibeon.
צִבְע֖וֹןZibeonproper N · צִבְעוֹן (H6649)Construct chain (genitival)צִבְעוֹן (H6649) Zibeon, Oholibamah's grandfather; also a Horite chief (v. 20, 24, 29).
אֵ֣שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional construct (Oholibamah as Esau's wife)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Oholibamah identified as Esau's wife before her sons are named.
עֵשָׂ֑וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; positions Oholibamah within his household before the birth report.
וַתֵּ֣לֶדand she boreconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — birth narrated)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; the wayyiqtol narrates the birth of Oholibamah's three sons.
לְעֵשָׂ֔וto Esauprep לְ + proper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Benefactive prepositional phraseלְ + עֵשָׂו; Esau named as the father to whom the sons are born.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
יעישJeushproper N · יְעִישׁ (H3274)Direct object (first son — ketiv)יְעִישׁ (H3274) Jeush; the unpointed ketiv form — same individual as the following qere entry.
יְע֥וּשׁJeushproper N · יְעוּשׁ (H3266)Direct object (first son — qere form)יְעוּשׁ (H3266) Jeush, Esau's son by Oholibamah; the pointed qere form corresponding to ketiv יעיש.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second son)וְ + אֵת coordinates the second son.
יַעְלָ֖םJalamproper N · יַעְלָם (H3281)Direct object (second son named)יַעְלָם (H3281) Jalam, Esau's son by Oholibamah; a chief in v. 18.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third son)וְ + אֵת marks Korah as third direct object.
קֹֽרַחKorahproper N · קֹרַח (H7141)Direct object (third son named)קֹרַח (H7141) Korah, Esau's son by Oholibamah; the same name as the Levitical rebel (Num 16) but a different individual.
15
אֵ֖לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֣י בְנֵֽי עֵשָׂ֑ו בְּנֵ֤י אֱלִיפַז֙ בְּכ֣וֹר עֵשָׂ֔ו אַלּ֤וּף תֵּימָן֙ אַלּ֣וּף אוֹמָ֔ר אַלּ֥וּף צְפ֖וֹ אַלּ֥וּף קְנַֽז
These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz,
The genealogy now turns from sons to chiefs, showing descent becoming organized leadership within Edom.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
אֵ֖לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (chieftain-list heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; transitions the genealogy from sons to chiefs, showing descent becoming structured political leadership.
אַלּוּפֵ֣יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief, clan-leader'; a distinctive political-social title in this chapter marking organized tribal leadership within Edom; not a vague 'noble' rank.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the chiefs are identified as sons of Esau to ground political structure in descent.
עֵשָׂ֑וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the chiefs arise from within his descent line.
בְּנֵ֤יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive sub-heading (Eliphaz's branch specified)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the sub-heading identifies Eliphaz's line before listing his chiefs.
אֱלִיפַז֙Eliphazproper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz; his sons are now rendered as chiefs rather than simply sons.
בְּכ֣וֹרfirstborn ofN m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Appositional construct (Eliphaz's birth order)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; marks Eliphaz's primacy within Esau's son-order, elevating his branch's chiefs.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; Eliphaz is the firstborn of Esau, giving his branch political precedence.
אַלּ֤וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title before name)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the title precedes each name in the chief-list formula: chief + name.
תֵּימָן֙Temanproper N · תֵּימָן (H8487)Chief named (first of Eliphaz's line)תֵּימָן (H8487) Teman, chief; progenitor of the Temanites; Teman becomes a byword for Edomite wisdom (Jer 49:7; Hab 3:3).
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; repeated before each name in the formulaic chief-list.
אוֹמָ֔רOmarproper N · אוֹמָר (H201)Chief named (second of Eliphaz's line)אוֹמָר (H201) Omar, chief; son of Eliphaz, an Edomite chieftain.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the repetition of the title marks the structured formulaic nature of the list.
צְפ֖וֹZephoproper N · צְפוֹ (H6825)Chief named (third of Eliphaz's line)צְפוֹ (H6825) Zepho, chief; son of Eliphaz (1 Chr 1:36 has Zephi).
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; fourth instance of the formulaic title.
קְנַֽזKenazproper N · קְנַז (H7073)Chief named (fourth of Eliphaz's line)קְנַז (H7073) Kenaz, chief; son of Eliphaz; possibly the eponymous ancestor of the Kenizzites.
16
אַלּֽוּף קֹ֛רַח אַלּ֥וּף גַּעְתָּ֖ם אַלּ֣וּף עֲמָלֵ֑ק אֵ֣לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֤י אֱלִיפַז֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֔וֹם אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י עָדָֽה
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.
Eliphaz’s branch is completed in chieftain form and then tied back to Adah and the land of Edom.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אַלּֽוּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title continues from v. 15)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; v. 16 continues the Eliphaz chief-list begun in v. 15.
קֹ֛רַחKorahproper N · קֹרַח (H7141)Chief named (fifth of Eliphaz's line)קֹרַח (H7141) Korah, chief; son of Eliphaz — note this Korah is an Edomite chief, distinct from Oholibamah's son Korah (vv. 5, 14).
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
גַּעְתָּ֖םGatamproper N · גַּעְתָּם (H1609)Chief named (sixth of Eliphaz's line)גַּעְתָּם (H1609) Gatam, chief; son of Eliphaz (listed as Gatam in v. 11).
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
עֲמָלֵ֑קAmalekproper N · עֲמָלֵק (H6002)Chief named (Timna's son included among Eliphaz's chiefs)עֲמָלֵק (H6002) Amalek, chief; son of Eliphaz by his concubine Timna (v. 12); the Amalekites become Israel's archetypal enemy.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (first summary clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; introduces the first closing summary of the Eliphaz chief-branch.
אַלּוּפֵ֤יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; plural construct — these chiefs are now organized under Eliphaz in the land of Edom.
אֱלִיפַז֙Eliphazproper N · אֱלִיפַז (H464)Construct chain (genitival)אֱלִיפַז (H464) Eliphaz; the father under whom all six chiefs are gathered.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (territorial setting)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with בְּ — these chiefs ruled in the land of Edom.
אֱד֔וֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the territorial anchor for this chief-branch.
אֵ֖לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (second summary clause)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the second summary gathers the same chiefs under the maternal designation Adah.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the closure formula reaffirms the maternal branch identity.
עָדָֽהAdahproper N · עָדָה (H5711)Construct chain (genitival — maternal branch)עָדָה (H5711) Adah; the maternal branch identifier closing the Eliphaz-Amalek chief-section.
17
וְאֵ֗לֶּה בְּנֵ֤י רְעוּאֵל֙ בֶּן עֵשָׂ֔ו אַלּ֥וּף נַ֨חַת֙ אַלּ֣וּף זֶ֔רַח אַלּ֥וּף שַׁמָּ֖ה אַלּ֣וּף מִזָּ֑ה אֵ֣לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֤י רְעוּאֵל֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֔וֹם אֵ֕לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י בָשְׂמַ֖ת אֵ֥שֶׁת עֵשָֽׂו
And these are the sons of Reuel, son of Esau: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, wife of Esau.
Reuel’s descendants are similarly rendered as chiefs, preserving the maternal branch structure.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְאֵ֗לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (third branch chief-list heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the Reuel branch chief-list in parallel form.
בְּנֵ֤יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; introduces Reuel's branch.
רְעוּאֵל֙Reuelproper N · רְעוּאֵל (H7467)Construct chain (genitival)רְעוּאֵל (H7467) Reuel, Esau's son by Basemath; his sons listed in v. 13 are now rendered as chiefs.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositional construct (Reuel's parentage restated)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Reuel is here identified as son of Esau to anchor his position within the patriarchal line.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; grounds the Reuel branch within Esau's direct lineage.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the formulaic title precedes each chief name.
נַ֨חַת֙Nahathproper N · נַחַת (H5184)Chief named (first of Reuel's line)נַחַת (H5184) Nahath, chief; son of Reuel; first of the four Reuel chiefs.
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
זֶ֔רַחZerahproper N · זֶרַח (H2226)Chief named (second of Reuel's line)זֶרַח (H2226) Zerah, chief; son of Reuel; same name as Judah's son born of Tamar (Gen 38:30).
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
שַׁמָּ֖הShammahproper N · שַׁמָּה (H8048)Chief named (third of Reuel's line)שַׁמָּה (H8048) Shammah, chief; son of Reuel.
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
מִזָּ֑הMizzahproper N · מִזָּה (H4199)Chief named (fourth of Reuel's line)מִזָּה (H4199) Mizzah, chief; son of Reuel; fourth and last of the Reuel chiefs.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (first closing summary)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes the Reuel chief-branch.
אַלּוּפֵ֤יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the Reuel chiefs located in Edom.
רְעוּאֵל֙Reuelproper N · רְעוּאֵל (H7467)Construct chain (genitival)רְעוּאֵל (H7467) Reuel; the father under whom these four chiefs are gathered.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; territorial setting for these chiefs.
אֱד֔וֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the territory of Reuel's chiefs.
אֵ֕לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (second closing summary)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the second summary identifies the same chiefs under Basemath's maternal branch.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the closure formula restates the maternal branch.
בָשְׂמַ֖תBasemathproper N · בָּשְׂמַת (H1315)Construct chain (genitival — maternal branch)בָּשְׂמַת (H1315) Basemath; the maternal identifier closing the Reuel chief-section.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional constructאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Basemath identified as Esau's wife to close the branch.
עֵשָֽׂוEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the closure anchor for the Reuel-Basemath branch.
18
וְאֵ֗לֶּה בְּנֵ֤י אָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת עֵשָׂ֔ו אַלּ֥וּף יְע֛וּשׁ אַלּ֥וּף יַעְלָ֖ם אַלּ֣וּף קֹ֑רַח אֵ֣לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֞י אָֽהֳלִיבָמָ֛ה בַּת עֲנָ֖ה אֵ֥שֶׁת עֵשָֽׂו
And these are the sons of Oholibamah, wife of Esau: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah. These are the chiefs of Oholibamah daughter of Anah, wife of Esau.
Oholibamah’s branch reaches the same chieftain pattern, completing the threefold Esau genealogy.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאֵ֗לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (third branch chief-list heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; launches the Oholibamah branch chief-list.
בְּנֵ֤יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; introduces Oholibamah's branch.
אָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙Oholibamahproper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Construct chain (genitival — mother)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah, Esau's wife; her three sons now rendered as chiefs.
אֵ֣שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional construct (Oholibamah as wife of Esau)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; her wife-identity is stated before the chief-list.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; grounds Oholibamah's branch in his household.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
יְע֛וּשׁJeushproper N · יְעוּשׁ (H3266)Chief named (first of Oholibamah's line)יְעוּשׁ (H3266) Jeush, chief; Esau's son by Oholibamah.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
יַעְלָ֖םJalamproper N · יַעְלָם (H3281)Chief named (second of Oholibamah's line)יַעְלָם (H3281) Jalam, chief; Esau's son by Oholibamah.
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
קֹ֑רַחKorahproper N · קֹרַח (H7141)Chief named (third of Oholibamah's line)קֹרַח (H7141) Korah, chief; Esau's son by Oholibamah; listed third among her three sons.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (closing summary)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes the Oholibamah chief-section.
אַלּוּפֵ֞יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the three sons are formally titled as chiefs.
אָֽהֳלִיבָמָ֛הOholibamahproper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Construct chain (genitival)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah; her name anchors the chief-branch.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival — lineage of Oholibamah)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; Oholibamah's lineage recalled to identify her precisely.
עֲנָ֖הAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Construct chain (genitival)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah, Oholibamah's father; his mention ties the Edomite and Horite genealogies.
אֵ֥שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional constructאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; Oholibamah's wife-identity closes the third branch.
עֵשָֽׂוEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the final closure anchor completing the threefold Esau genealogy.
19
אֵ֧לֶּה בְנֵי עֵשָׂ֛ו וְאֵ֥לֶּה אַלּוּפֵיהֶ֖ם ה֥וּא אֱדֽוֹם
These are the sons of Esau, and these are their chiefs; that is, Edom.
The whole Esau list closes with a summary formula that again identifies the line as Edom.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
אֵ֧לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (closing summary of Esau's sons)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; final gathering summary for the entire Esau-son section.
בְנֵיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the summary formula gathers all three wife-branches under one heading.
עֵשָׂ֛וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the patriarch under whom all sons and chiefs have been organized.
וְאֵ֥לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (coordinated second summary clause — their chiefs)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the coordinated clause summarizes the chiefs alongside the sons.
אַלּוּפֵיהֶ֖םtheir chiefsN m pl constr + suf 3mp · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominativeאַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; with 3mp suffix — 'their chiefs' ties political structure back to the sons listed.
ה֥וּאthat ispers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular apposition (identification formula)הוּא (H1931) 'he / that'; the copular identification formula repeated a third time in the chapter to equate this entire record with Edom.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Predicate of identificationאֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the final identification stamps the entire Esau genealogy as the origin of the Edomite nation.
20
אֵ֤לֶּה בְנֵֽי שֵׂעִיר֙ הַחֹרִ֔י יֹשְׁבֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ לוֹטָ֥ן וְשׁוֹבָ֖ל וְצִבְע֥וֹן וַעֲנָֽה
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah,
The scope widens to the Horite population of Seir, showing Edom's territory as historically inhabited and already structured.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֵ֤לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Horite genealogy heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the scope widens to include the Horite population co-resident in Seir, showing Edom's land as already inhabited.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the sons of Seir the Horite are the pre-existing inhabitants of Edom's territory.
שֵׂעִיר֙Seirproper N · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Construct chain (genitival — the Horite patriarch)שֵׂעִיר (H8165) Seir the Horite, eponymous ancestor of the Seir territory; the land is named after him.
הַחֹרִ֔יthe Horiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חֹרִי (H2752)Appositional ethnonym (Seir identified as Horite)חֹרִי (H2752) 'Horite', gentilic; the Horites are the pre-Esau inhabitants of the Seir region; possibly 'cave-dwellers' or a specific ethnic group.
יֹשְׁבֵ֖יinhabitants ofQal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Appositional participial phrase (the Horites described as the land's inhabitants)→ Participle: ongoing/characteristic state — the Horites are the settled inhabitantsיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, inhabit'; Qal participle in construct — 'inhabitants of the land' marks their established presence before Esau's arrival.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival — the land they inhabit)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the article marks Seir's land as a known geographical referent.
לוֹטָ֥ןLotanproper N · לוֹטָן (H3877)Predicate nominative / first son namedלוֹטָן (H3877) Lotan, son of Seir the Horite; first in the Horite chief-list; his sister is Timna (v. 22).
וְשׁוֹבָ֖לand Shobalconj וְ + proper N · שׁוֹבָל (H7732)Predicate nominative / second son namedשׁוֹבָל (H7732) Shobal, son of Seir; a Horite chief whose sons are listed in v. 23.
וְצִבְע֥וֹןand Zibeonconj וְ + proper N · צִבְעוֹן (H6649)Predicate nominative / third son namedצִבְעוֹן (H6649) Zibeon, son of Seir; also grandfather of Oholibamah (v. 2) — the Horite and Edomite genealogies intersect here.
וַעֲנָֽהand Anahconj וְ + proper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Predicate nominative / fourth son namedעֲנָה (H6034) Anah, son of Seir; his son (also named Anah) makes the famous wilderness discovery in v. 24; father of Oholibamah.
21
וְדִשׁ֥וֹן וְאֵ֖צֶר וְדִישָׁ֑ן אֵ֣לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֧י הַחֹרִ֛י בְּנֵ֥י שֵׂעִ֖יר בְּאֶ֥רֶץ אֱדֽוֹם
and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horite, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom.
The Seir line is completed and immediately interpreted through chieftain structure in Edom.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְדִשׁ֥וֹןand Dishonconj וְ + proper N · דִּשׁוֹן (H1787)Predicate nominative / fifth son named (continues from v. 20)דִּשׁוֹן (H1787) Dishon, son of Seir; his sons are listed in v. 26; a Horite chief (v. 30).
וְאֵ֖צֶרand Ezerconj וְ + proper N · אֵצֶר (H687)Predicate nominative / sixth son namedאֵצֶר (H687) Ezer, son of Seir; his sons are listed in v. 27; a Horite chief (v. 30).
וְדִישָׁ֑ןand Dishanconj וְ + proper N · דִּישָׁן (H1789)Predicate nominative / seventh son namedדִּישָׁן (H1789) Dishan, son of Seir; his sons are listed in v. 28; a Horite chief (v. 30).
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (closing summary of Horite sons)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes the list of Seir's seven sons and immediately recasts them as chiefs.
אַלּוּפֵ֧יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; Seir's sons are simultaneously sons and chiefs, indicating their established political authority.
הַחֹרִ֛יthe Horiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חֹרִי (H2752)Construct chain (genitival — whose chiefs these are)חֹרִי (H2752) 'Horite'; the ethnic designation identifies these as Horite chiefs, not Edomite.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositional construct (secondary identification)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the sons are gathered under the Seir-parentage label.
שֵׂעִ֖ירSeirproper N · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Construct chain (genitival — paternal line)שֵׂעִיר (H8165) Seir; these seven chiefs are all sons of the Horite patriarch Seir.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (territorial setting)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with בְּ — these Horite chiefs held authority in the land of Edom.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the territorial frame situates Horite chieftainship within the same land later identified with Esau's descendants.
22
וַיִּהְי֥וּ בְנֵי לוֹטָ֖ן חֹרִ֣י וְהֵימָ֑ם וַאֲח֥וֹת לוֹטָ֖ן תִּמְנָֽע
And the sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and the sister of Lotan was Timna.
The Horite lines now begin to branch out individually, with Timna singled out in relation to Lotan.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּהְי֥וּand wereconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — opens Lotan's branch)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the wayyiqtol advances the genealogy into Lotan's individual branch.
בְנֵיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject in constructבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Lotan's sons are named.
לוֹטָ֖ןLotanproper N · לוֹטָן (H3877)Construct chain (genitival)לוֹטָן (H3877) Lotan; the first of Seir's sons whose branch is expanded.
חֹרִ֣יHoriproper N · חֹרִי (H2753)Predicate nominative / first son namedחֹרִי (H2753) Hori, son of Lotan; distinct from the gentilic 'Horite' (H2752), though related; a Seir-line name.
וְהֵימָ֑םand Hemamconj וְ + proper N · הֵימָם (H1967)Predicate nominative / second son namedהֵימָם (H1967) Hemam, son of Lotan; 1 Chr 1:39 has Homam — a variant form.
וַאֲח֥וֹתand the sister ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · אָחוֹת (H269)Subject (supplementary sister notice)אָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; the notice of Lotan's sister is a brief but important supplement — she is Timna, the concubine of Eliphaz (v. 12).
לוֹטָ֖ןLotanproper N · לוֹטָן (H3877)Construct chain (genitival — whose sister)לוֹטָן (H3877) Lotan; the sibling link identifies Timna as a Horite woman from Seir's line.
תִּמְנָֽעTimnaproper N · תִּמְנַע (H8555)Predicate of subject (Lotan's sister named)תִּמְנַע (H8555) Timna, Lotan's sister; she is Eliphaz's concubine (v. 12), through whom Amalek is born — the Horite and Esau lines intersect here.
23
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ בְּנֵ֣י שׁוֹבָ֔ל עַלְוָ֥ן וּמָנַ֖חַת וְעֵיבָ֑ל שְׁפ֖וֹ וְאוֹנָֽם
And these are the sons of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and Onam.
Shobal’s descendants continue the patterned branching of Seir’s line.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙and theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Shobal's branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens Shobal's sub-branch in the same patterned form.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Shobal's sons are introduced.
שׁוֹבָ֔לShobalproper N · שׁוֹבָל (H7732)Construct chain (genitival)שׁוֹבָל (H7732) Shobal, son of Seir; his five sons form the most expanded sub-branch in the Horite list.
עַלְוָ֥ןAlvanproper N · עַלְוָן (H5935)Predicate nominative / first son namedעַלְוָן (H5935) Alvan, son of Shobal; 1 Chr 1:40 has Alian — a variant spelling.
וּמָנַ֖חַתand Manahathconj וּ + proper N · מָנַחַת (H4506)Predicate nominative / second son namedמָנַחַת (H4506) Manahath, son of Shobal; possibly connected to the Manahathites of 1 Chr 2:54.
וְעֵיבָ֑לand Ebalconj וְ + proper N · עֵיבָל (H5858)Predicate nominative / third son namedעֵיבָל (H5858) Ebal, son of Shobal; the same name as the mountain near Shechem (Deut 11:29), though a different referent.
שְׁפ֖וֹShephoproper N · שְׁפוֹ (H8195)Predicate nominative / fourth son namedשְׁפוֹ (H8195) Shepho, son of Shobal; 1 Chr 1:40 has Shephi.
וְאוֹנָֽםand Onamconj וְ + proper N · אוֹנָם (H208)Predicate nominative / fifth son namedאוֹנָם (H208) Onam, son of Shobal; the same name appears in the Judah genealogy (1 Chr 2:26, 28) for a different person.
24
וְאֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי צִבְע֖וֹן וְאַיָּ֣ה וַעֲנָ֑ה ה֣וּא עֲנָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר מָצָ֤א אֶת הַיֵּמִם֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר בִּרְעֹת֥וֹ אֶת הַחֲמֹרִ֖ים לְצִבְע֥וֹן אָבִֽיו
And these are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the yemim in the wilderness, as he grazed the donkeys of Zibeon his father.
The Zibeon branch includes the famous and obscure notice about Anah’s discovery in the wilderness, preserving a remembered local distinction.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאֵ֥לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Zibeon's branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens Zibeon's sub-branch, which carries the famous wilderness notice.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Zibeon's two sons are introduced.
צִבְע֖וֹןZibeonproper N · צִבְעוֹן (H6649)Construct chain (genitival)צִבְעוֹן (H6649) Zibeon, son of Seir the Horite; also grandfather of Oholibamah (vv. 2, 14) — a key genealogical intersection.
וְאַיָּ֣הand Aiahconj וְ + proper N · אַיָּה (H345)Predicate nominative / first son namedאַיָּה (H345) Aiah, son of Zibeon; the name of Rizpah's father (2 Sam 3:7) belongs to a different individual.
וַעֲנָ֑הand Anahconj וְ + proper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Predicate nominative / second son namedעֲנָה (H6034) Anah, son of Zibeon; the individual who discovers the yemim in the wilderness; father of Oholibamah.
ה֣וּאthis ispers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular apposition (identifies the Anah who made the discovery)הוּא (H1931) 'he / this'; the copular particle singles out this particular Anah as the one whose exploit is memorialized.
עֲנָ֗הAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Subject of relative clause (identification of the notable Anah)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah; the name repeated to establish the subject of the famous wilderness notice.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the clause narrating Anah's wilderness discovery.
מָצָ֤אfoundQal perf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed discovery — a remembered historical eventמָצָא (H4672) 'to find, discover'; the perfective records this as a singular, notable past discovery that merited preservation in the genealogy.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks הַיֵּמִם as the definite direct object of the discovery.
הַיֵּמִם֙the yemimart + N m pl abs · יֵמִם (H3222)Direct object (the disputed discovered entity)יֵמִם (H3222) a hapax legomenon; ancient translators understood it as 'hot springs' (LXX: Ιαμειν), 'mules' (Tg. Onkelos: יַמְיָמִין), or other things; the exact referent remains a textual crux — translate cautiously.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔רin the wildernessart + prep בְּ + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert steppe'; the open grazing land where the discovery occurred.
בִּרְעֹת֥וֹwhile grazingprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + suf 3ms · רָעָה (H7462)Temporal prepositional phrase (circumstance of the discovery)→ Infinitive: contemporaneous action — grazing while the discovery happenedרָעָה (H7462) 'to pasture, graze, shepherd'; the infinitive construct with בְּ marks the activity during which Anah made his discovery.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (for the donkeys)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the donkeys as definite object of the grazing.
הַחֲמֹרִ֖יםthe donkeysart + N m pl abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Direct object (the animals being grazed)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey, ass'; a common pastoral animal; Anah was engaged in ordinary husbandry when the discovery occurred.
לְצִבְע֥וֹןof Zibeonprep לְ + proper N · צִבְעוֹן (H6649)Possessive prepositional phrase (whose donkeys they were)צִבְעוֹן (H6649) Zibeon, Anah's father; the donkeys belong to Zibeon, establishing Anah's role as his father's herder.
אָבִֽיוhis fatherN m sg constr + suf 3ms · אָב (H1)Appositional identifier (Zibeon named as Anah's father)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix — 'his father Zibeon' grounds the herding role in the father-son working relationship.
25
וְאֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי עֲנָ֖ה דִּשֹׁ֑ן וְאָהֳלִיבָמָ֖ה בַּת עֲנָֽה
And these are the sons of Anah: Dishon, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah.
Anah’s line is given briefly and includes Oholibamah by filial identification.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאֵ֥לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Anah's branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens Anah's sub-branch in the same patterned formula.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Anah's descendants are listed.
עֲנָ֖הAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Construct chain (genitival)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah, son of Zibeon; the wilderness-discoverer of v. 24; his daughter Oholibamah becomes Esau's wife.
דִּשֹׁ֑ןDishonproper N · דִּשׁוֹן (H1787)Predicate nominative / son namedדִּשׁוֹן (H1787) Dishon, son of Anah; his sons are listed in v. 26; also a Horite chief (v. 30).
וְאָהֳלִיבָמָ֖הand Oholibamahconj וְ + proper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Predicate nominative / daughter named (notable inclusion)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah, Anah's daughter; her inclusion in the genealogy links the Horite line directly to Esau's household as his wife.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Appositional construct (Oholibamah identified as Anah's daughter)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the construct with Anah confirms her parentage, tying the Horite-Edomite genealogical intersection.
עֲנָֽהAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Construct chain (genitival)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah; repeated to anchor Oholibamah's filial identity within the Horite line.
26
וְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י דִישָׁ֑ן חֶמְדָּ֥ן וְאֶשְׁבָּ֖ן וְיִתְרָ֥ן וּכְרָֽן
And these are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran.
The Dishon line is expanded in the same formulaic genealogical cadence.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְאֵ֖לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Dishon's branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the Dishon sub-branch (son of Anah, grandson of Zibeon).
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; introduces Dishon's four sons.
דִישָׁ֑ןDishonproper N · דִּישָׁן (H1789)Construct chain (genitival)דִּישָׁן (H1789) Dishon (variant spelling דִּישָׁן vs. דִּשׁוֹן); son of Anah; a Horite chief (v. 30).
חֶמְדָּ֥ןHemdanproper N · חֶמְדָּן (H2533)Predicate nominative / first son namedחֶמְדָּן (H2533) Hemdan, son of Dishon; 1 Chr 1:41 has Hamran — a textual variant.
וְאֶשְׁבָּ֖ןand Eshbanconj וְ + proper N · אֶשְׁבָּן (H790)Predicate nominative / second son namedאֶשְׁבָּן (H790) Eshban, son of Dishon; one of four sons forming the Dishon branch.
וְיִתְרָ֥ןand Ithranconj וְ + proper N · יִתְרָן (H3506)Predicate nominative / third son namedיִתְרָן (H3506) Ithran, son of Dishon; appears also in 1 Chr 7:37 for a different Asherite.
וּכְרָֽןand Cheranconj וּ + proper N · כְּרָן (H3763)Predicate nominative / fourth son namedכְּרָן (H3763) Cheran, son of Dishon; the fourth and final son, completing the Dishon branch.
27
אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵי אֵ֑צֶר בִּלְהָ֥ן וְזַעֲוָ֖ן וַעֲקָֽן
These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan and Akan.
The Ezer line is named in compact form as part of the Seir-Horite record.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
אֵ֖לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Ezer's branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; introduces Ezer's sub-branch.
בְּנֵיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Ezer's three sons are listed.
אֵ֑צֶרEzerproper N · אֵצֶר (H687)Construct chain (genitival)אֵצֶר (H687) Ezer, son of Seir; a Horite chief (v. 30); his three sons are named.
בִּלְהָ֥ןBilhanproper N · בִּלְהָן (H1092)Predicate nominative / first son namedבִּלְהָן (H1092) Bilhan, son of Ezer; the same name appears among Benjaminite descendants (1 Chr 7:10).
וְזַעֲוָ֖ןand Zaavanconj וְ + proper N · זַעֲוָן (H2190)Predicate nominative / second son namedזַעֲוָן (H2190) Zaavan, son of Ezer; 1 Chr 1:42 has Zaavan — same form.
וַעֲקָֽןand Akanconj וְ + proper N · עֲקָן (H6130)Predicate nominative / third son namedעֲקָן (H6130) Akan, son of Ezer; 1 Chr 1:42 has Jaakan — the form differs.
28
אֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי דִישָׁ֖ן ע֥וּץ וַאֲרָֽן
These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
The final Horite branch is named briefly before the narrative returns to chiefs.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Dishan's branch heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the final Horite sub-branch — Dishan's sons.
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; Dishan's two sons are named.
דִישָׁ֖ןDishanproper N · דִּישָׁן (H1789)Construct chain (genitival)דִּישָׁן (H1789) Dishan, seventh son of Seir; the final Horite sub-branch; a chief in v. 30.
ע֥וּץUzproper N · עוּץ (H5780)Predicate nominative / first son namedעוּץ (H5780) Uz, son of Dishan; the same name is borne by the land of Job (Job 1:1) and by Aram's son (Gen 10:23); distinct figures.
וַאֲרָֽןand Aranconj וְ + proper N · אֲרָן (H765)Predicate nominative / second son namedאֲרָן (H765) Aran, son of Dishan; completes the final Horite sub-branch before the chief-list resumes.
29
אֵ֖לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֣י הַחֹרִ֑י אַלּ֤וּף לוֹטָן֙ אַלּ֣וּף שׁוֹבָ֔ל אַלּ֥וּף צִבְע֖וֹן אַלּ֥וּף עֲנָֽה
These are the chiefs of the Horite: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,
The Horite lines are now recast in political form through a list of chiefs.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אֵ֖לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (Horite chief-list heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; transitions from the son-listings to the formal Horite chief-list, paralleling the Esau chief-lists in vv. 15–18.
אַלּוּפֵ֣יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the Horite sons are now organized politically as chiefs.
הַחֹרִ֑יthe Horiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חֹרִי (H2752)Construct chain (genitival — whose chiefs these are)חֹרִי (H2752) 'Horite'; the ethnic designation of this chief-list, parallel to the Edomite chief-lists.
אַלּ֤וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the formulaic title precedes each chief name.
לוֹטָן֙Lotanproper N · לוֹטָן (H3877)Chief named (first Horite chief)לוֹטָן (H3877) Lotan; first Horite chief in the formal list; Timna's brother.
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
שׁוֹבָ֔לShobalproper N · שׁוֹבָל (H7732)Chief named (second Horite chief)שׁוֹבָל (H7732) Shobal; second Horite chief; five sons named in v. 23.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
צִבְע֖וֹןZibeonproper N · צִבְעוֹן (H6649)Chief named (third Horite chief)צִבְעוֹן (H6649) Zibeon; third Horite chief; grandfather of Oholibamah and father of Anah-the-discoverer.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
עֲנָֽהAnahproper N · עֲנָה (H6034)Chief named (fourth Horite chief)עֲנָה (H6034) Anah; fourth Horite chief; the yemim-discoverer of v. 24 and father of Oholibamah.
30
אַלּ֥וּף דִּשֹׁ֛ן אַלּ֥וּף אֵ֖צֶר אַלּ֣וּף דִּישָׁ֑ן אֵ֣לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֧י הַחֹרִ֛י לְאַלֻּפֵיהֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ שֵׂעִֽיר
chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These are the chiefs of the Horite according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.
The Horite chief-list closes by locating their ordered leadership in Seir.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title — continues from v. 29)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; v. 30 continues the Horite chief-list.
דִּשֹׁ֛ןDishonproper N · דִּשׁוֹן (H1787)Chief named (fifth Horite chief)דִּשׁוֹן (H1787) Dishon; fifth Horite chief; son of Anah (v. 25), his sons in v. 26.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
אֵ֖צֶרEzerproper N · אֵצֶר (H687)Chief named (sixth Horite chief)אֵצֶר (H687) Ezer; sixth Horite chief; son of Seir, his three sons in v. 27.
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
דִּישָׁ֑ןDishanproper N · דִּישָׁן (H1789)Chief named (seventh Horite chief)דִּישָׁן (H1789) Dishan; seventh and final Horite chief; son of Seir, his two sons in v. 28.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (closing summary)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the closing summary gathers the Horite chiefs with their organizational formula.
אַלּוּפֵ֧יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the plural construct links to the Horite ethnic designation.
הַחֹרִ֛יthe Horiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חֹרִי (H2753)Construct chain (genitival)חֹרִי (H2753) 'Horite'; the ethnic designation for these seven chiefs.
לְאַלֻּפֵיהֶ֖םaccording to their chiefsprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 3mp · אַלּוּף (H441)Organizing prepositional phrase (the chiefs arranged by their chieftain order)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; with לְ + suf 3mp — 'according to their chiefs' is an organizational formula for the territorial roster.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with בְּ — the Horite chiefs are territorially located in Seir.
שֵׂעִֽירSeirproper N · שֵׂעִיר (H8165)Construct chain (genitival)שֵׂעִיר (H8165) Seir; the land named for the Horite patriarch now organizes his descendants' chieftains.
31
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַמְּלָכִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָלְכ֖וּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֑וֹם לִפְנֵ֥י מְלָךְ מֶ֖לֶךְ לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the sons of Israel.
The record now advances from chiefs to kings and explicitly marks Edom's monarchy as preceding Israel's.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙and theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (royal register heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the king-list that marks Edom's monarchy as preceding Israel's own royal period.
הַמְּלָכִ֔יםthe kingsart + N m pl abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Predicate nominative (heading noun)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; the shift from chiefs (אַלּוּפִים) to kings marks Edom's political advancement to organized monarchy before Israel.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (modifying הַמְּלָכִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the defining clause about the kings who reigned in Edom.
מָלְכ֖וּreignedQal perf 3cp · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed historical reignsמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign, be king'; the perfective records a completed series of historical reigns in Edom.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (Edom as the kingdom's territory)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with בְּ marking Edom as the territorial setting for these reigns.
אֱד֑וֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the national territory where these kings exercised sovereignty.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Temporal prepositional phrase (critical temporal marker)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence'; לִפְנֵי 'before' — the temporal clause explicitly marks Edom's monarchy as antedating any Israelite king; this is the chapter's key historical-theological signal.
מְלָךְreignedQal inf constr · מָלַךְ (H4427)Infinitive in temporal clause (the event that had not yet happened)→ Infinitive: action not yet accomplished at the narrative's reference pointמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; Qal infinitive construct used in temporal comparison — before any king reigned over Israel.
מֶ֖לֶךְa kingN m sg abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject of the infinitive (a king over Israel)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; the indefinite 'a king' — no specific Israelite king is named, preserving the temporal generalization.
לִבְנֵ֥יover the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Prepositional phrase (the Israelites who have not yet had a king)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל — 'over the sons of Israel' specifies the domain over which no king yet reigned.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper N · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Construct chain (genitival — the people without a king yet)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) Israel; the temporal comparison sets Edom's complete king-list against a period when Israel had no monarchy — a forward-looking temporal claim likely understood relative to the Saul-David era.
32
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ בֶּאֱד֔וֹם בֶּ֖לַע בֶּן בְּע֑וֹר וְשֵׁ֥ם עִיר֖וֹ דִּנְהָֽבָה
And Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
The king-list begins with Bela and identifies him by both lineage and city.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — first king named)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; the wayyiqtol opens each successive king's entry with the same verb, creating a rhythmic list.
בֶּאֱד֔וֹםin Edomprep בְּ + proper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Locative prepositional phrase (kingdom)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; repeated localization to mark each king's domain.
בֶּ֖לַעBelaproper N · בֶּלַע (H1106)Subject (first king named)בֶּלַע (H1106) Bela, first king of Edom; son of Beor; his city was Dinhabah; the name also belongs to a Benjaminite (Gen 46:21).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival — Bela's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the king is identified by his father's name — one of the genealogical markers in the king-list.
בְּע֑וֹרBeorproper N · בְּעוֹר (H1160)Construct chain (genitival)בְּעוֹר (H1160) Beor, father of Bela; possibly identical to the Beor who is father of Balaam (Num 22:5), though disputed.
וְשֵׁ֥םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of copular clause (city identification)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the city-identification formula 'and the name of his city was X' appears for kings whose cities are remembered.
עִיר֖וֹhis cityN f sg constr + suf 3ms · עִיר (H5892)Construct chain (genitival — whose city)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; with 3ms suffix — 'his city' specifies the royal seat.
דִּנְהָֽבָהDinhabahproper N · דִּנְהָבָה (H1838)Predicate nominative (the city's name)דִּנְהָבָה (H1838) Dinhabah, Bela's royal city; location unknown; the name may preserve a pre-Israelite Edomite place-memory.
33
וַיָּ֖מָת בָּ֑לַע וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו יוֹבָ֥ב בֶּן זֶ֖רַח מִבָּצְרָֽה
And Bela died, and Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.
The succession proceeds by death and replacement rather than simple dynastic formula alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — death formula opens each succession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (death → succession)מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the formulaic 'he died → reigned in his place' pattern drives the non-dynastic king-list forward.
בָּ֑לַעBelaproper N · בֶּלַע (H1106)Subject of death formulaבֶּלַע (H1106) Bela; the first king whose death is recorded, initiating the succession pattern.
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — second king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (succession)מָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; the second wayyiqtol completes each succession formula.
תַּחְתָּ֔יוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase (succession idiom — replaces the previous king)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, instead of, in place of'; תַּחְתָּיו 'in his place / in succession to him' is the standard succession formula; the non-dynastic list advances without father-son links.
יוֹבָ֥בJobabproper N · יוֹבָב (H3103)Subject (second king named)יוֹבָב (H3103) Jobab, second king of Edom; son of Zerah of Bozrah; Zerah may connect him to the Reuel-Zerah Edomite line.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival — Jobab's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
זֶ֖רַחZerahproper N · זֶרַח (H2226)Construct chain (genitival)זֶרַח (H2226) Zerah, Jobab's father; may be the same Zerah who is son of Reuel (v. 13), though not certain.
מִבָּצְרָֽהfrom Bozrahprep מִן + proper N · בָּצְרָה (H1224)Prepositional phrase (Jobab's city of origin)בָּצְרָה (H1224) Bozrah, an Edomite city; a major Edomite center mentioned in prophetic judgment texts (Isa 34:6; Jer 49:13); Jobab's origin there lends him geographic specificity.
34
וַיָּ֖מָת יוֹבָ֑ב וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו חֻשָׁ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ הַתֵּימָנִֽי
And Jobab died, and Husham from the land of the Temanite reigned in his place.
The list continues with a ruler identified regionally rather than by paternal succession.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — succession formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (death → succession)מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the repeated death-succession formula drives the non-dynastic king-list.
יוֹבָ֑בJobabproper N · יוֹבָב (H3103)Subject of death formulaיוֹבָב (H3103) Jobab; second king of Edom, now deceased.
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — third king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance (succession)מָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; successive ruler takes office.
תַּחְתָּ֔יוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Succession prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'in place of'; תַּחְתָּיו marks non-dynastic succession — the new king replaces, not inherits from, the previous one.
חֻשָׁ֖םHushamproper N · חֻשָׁם (H2367)Subject (third king named)חֻשָׁם (H2367) Husham, third king of Edom; from the land of the Temanite; no paternal lineage is given.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Prepositional phrase (Husham's regional origin)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with מִן marks the region from which Husham came — the Temanite territory.
הַתֵּימָנִֽיthe Temaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · תֵּימָנִי (H8489)Appositional gentilic (Husham's ethnic-regional identifier)תֵּימָנִי (H8489) 'Temanite', gentilic from תֵּימָן (H8487); identifies Husham's geographic origin in Teman, the southern Edomite region associated with wisdom.
35
וַיָּ֖מָת חֻשָׁ֑ם וַיִּמְלֹ֨ךְ תַּחְתָּ֜יו הֲדַ֣ד בֶּן בְּדַ֗ד הַמַּכֶּ֤ה אֶת מִדְיָן֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה מוֹאָ֔ב וְשֵׁ֥ם עִיר֖וֹ עֲוִֽית
And Husham died, and Hadad son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
Hadad’s notice stands out by adding a remembered military exploit and a city association.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — succession formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the formulaic death-notice.
חֻשָׁ֑םHushamproper N · חֻשָׁם (H2367)Subject of death formulaחֻשָׁם (H2367) Husham; third king of Edom, now deceased.
וַיִּמְלֹ֨ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — fourth king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'.
תַּחְתָּ֜יוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Succession prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'in place of'; the succession marker.
הֲדַ֣דHadadproper N · הֲדַד (H1908)Subject (fourth king named)הֲדַד (H1908) Hadad, fourth king of Edom; son of Bedad; this king is distinguished by a noted military exploit against Midian in Moab's field.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival — Hadad's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; one of the few kings given a paternal genealogy.
בְּדַ֗דBedadproper N · בְּדַד (H911)Construct chain (genitival)בְּדַד (H911) Bedad, Hadad's father; otherwise unknown in the biblical record.
הַמַּכֶּ֤הwho struckart + Hiphil ptc m sg abs · נָכָה (H5221)Relative-participial phrase (Hadad's remembered exploit)→ Participle: characteristic action — the one who struck Midianנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil participle with article as a substantival relative — 'the one who struck Midian'; the exploit elevates Hadad above the other kings in the list.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (Midian as the one struck)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi.
מִדְיָן֙Midianproper N · מִדְיָן (H4080)Direct object (the people whom Hadad defeated)מִדְיָן (H4080) Midian, the nation descended from Midian son of Abraham and Keturah (Gen 25:2); Hadad's victory over Midian in Moab marks significant Edomite military reach.
בִּשְׂדֵ֣הin the field ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phrase (battle location)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; with בְּ — the battle took place in Moab's open territory.
מוֹאָ֔בMoabproper N · מוֹאָב (H4124)Construct chain (genitival — whose field)מוֹאָב (H4124) Moab, the nation descended from Lot; the battle location in Moabite territory shows Edomite expansion beyond Seir.
וְשֵׁ֥םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of city-identification clauseשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the city-identification formula follows the exploit notice.
עִיר֖וֹhis cityN f sg constr + suf 3ms · עִיר (H5892)Construct chain (genitival — Hadad's royal city)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; with 3ms suffix — Hadad's royal seat.
עֲוִֽיתAvithproper N · עֲוִית (H5762)Predicate nominative (the city's name)עֲוִית (H5762) Avith, Hadad's city; location unknown; preserved as a memory of Edom's royal urban centers.
36
וַיָּ֖מָת הֲדָ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו שַׂמְלָ֖ה מִמַּשְׂרֵקָֽה
And Hadad died, and Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.
The king-list maintains its steady replacement pattern through new local origins.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — succession formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the formulaic death-notice for Hadad.
הֲדָ֑דHadadproper N · הֲדַד (H1908)Subject of death formulaהֲדַד (H1908) Hadad; fourth king of Edom, now deceased.
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — fifth king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; fifth king takes office.
תַּחְתָּ֔יוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Succession prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'in place of'; the steady succession formula.
שַׂמְלָ֖הSamlahproper N · שַׂמְלָה (H8072)Subject (fifth king named)שַׂמְלָה (H8072) Samlah, fifth king of Edom; from Masrekah; no lineage given.
מִמַּשְׂרֵקָֽהfrom Masrekahprep מִן + proper N · מַשְׂרֵקָה (H4957)Prepositional phrase (Samlah's city of origin)מַשְׂרֵקָה (H4957) Masrekah, an Edomite city; Samlah's place of origin; location unidentified.
37
וַיָּ֖מָת שַׂמְלָ֑ה וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו שָׁא֖וּל מֵרְחֹב֥וֹת הַנָּהָֽר
And Samlah died, and Shaul from Rehoboth on the River reigned in his place.
The succession continues, and the ruler’s origin broadens the geographic horizon of Edomite kingship.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — succession formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the death-formula for Samlah.
שַׂמְלָ֑הSamlahproper N · שַׂמְלָה (H8072)Subject of death formulaשַׂמְלָה (H8072) Samlah; fifth king of Edom, deceased.
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — sixth king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; sixth king takes office.
תַּחְתָּ֔יוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Succession prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'in place of'; the standard succession marker.
שָׁא֖וּלShaulproper N · שָׁאוּל (H7586)Subject (sixth king named)שָׁאוּל (H7586) Shaul, sixth king of Edom; from Rehoboth on the River; the name is shared with Israel's first king, though a different individual.
מֵרְחֹב֥וֹתfrom Rehobothprep מִן + proper N · רְחֹבוֹת (H7344)Prepositional phrase (Shaul's city of origin)רְחֹבוֹת (H7344) Rehoboth, an unidentified city associated with this Edomite king; possibly 'on the River' (הַנָּהָר) means on the Euphrates, indicating a wider geographic reach.
הַנָּהָֽרthe Riverart + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Appositional geographic identifier (which Rehoboth)נָהָר (H5104) 'river, stream'; with the article and no further specification, 'the River' typically refers to the Euphrates in biblical usage.
38
וַיָּ֖מָת שָׁא֑וּל וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו בַּ֥עַל חָנָ֖ן בֶּן עַכְבּֽוֹר
And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.
Another king replaces the former in the same repetitive death-and-reign cadence.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — succession formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the formulaic death-notice for Shaul.
שָׁא֑וּלShaulproper N · שָׁאוּל (H7586)Subject of death formulaשָׁאוּל (H7586) Shaul; sixth king of Edom, deceased.
וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — seventh king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; seventh king takes office.
תַּחְתָּ֔יוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Succession prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'in place of'; the succession marker.
בַּ֥עַלBaal-hananproper N · בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177)Subject (seventh king named — first part of compound name)בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177) Baal-hanan, a theophoric compound name: 'Baal/lord is gracious'; the name reflects Canaanite/Edomite naming conventions; son of Achbor.
חָנָ֖ןson of Achborproper N · בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177)Subject (seventh king named — second part of compound name)בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177) the second element of the compound name Baal-hanan; the full name means 'Baal/lord is gracious'.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival — Baal-hanan's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
עַכְבּֽוֹרAchborproper N · עַכְבּוֹר (H5907)Construct chain (genitival)עַכְבּוֹר (H5907) Achbor, father of Baal-hanan; otherwise unknown outside this list and 1 Chr 1:49.
39
וַיָּמָת֮ בַּ֣עַל חָנָ֣ן בֶּן עַכְבּוֹר֒ וַיִּמְלֹ֤ךְ תַּחְתָּיו֙ הֲדַ֔ר וְשֵׁ֥ם עִיר֖וֹ פָּ֑עוּ וְשֵׁ֨ם אִשְׁתּ֤וֹ מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵל֙ בַּת מַטְרֵ֔ד בַּ֖ת מֵ֥י זָהָֽב
And Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau, and the name of his wife was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.
The final king notice is expanded with city and marital detail, giving the close of the list unusual density.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיָּמָת֮and he diedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — succession formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the formulaic death-notice for Baal-hanan.
בַּ֣עַלBaal-hananproper N · בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177)Subject of death formula (first element)בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177) Baal-hanan; seventh king of Edom, deceased.
חָנָ֣ןson of Achborproper N · בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177)Subject of death formula (second element of compound name)בַּעַל חָנָן (H1177) second element of the name; the full formula 'Baal-hanan son of Achbor died' opens the final king-succession.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'.
עַכְבּוֹר֒Achborproper N · עַכְבּוֹר (H5907)Construct chain (genitival)עַכְבּוֹר (H5907) Achbor; Baal-hanan's father, repeated to identify him.
וַיִּמְלֹ֤ךְand reignedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol — eighth king's accession)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign'; eighth and final king accedes.
תַּחְתָּיו֙in his placeprep תַּחַת + suf 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Succession prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'in place of'; the succession formula for the last king.
הֲדַ֔רHadarproper N · הֲדַר (H1924)Subject (eighth and final king named)הֲדַר (H1924) Hadar, eighth king of Edom; 1 Chr 1:50 has Hadad — a textual variant; the final king's notice is the most elaborate in the list, adding city and wife.
וְשֵׁ֥םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of city-identification clauseשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the city-identification formula resumes for the final king.
עִיר֖וֹhis cityN f sg constr + suf 3ms · עִיר (H5892)Construct chain (genitival — Hadar's royal seat)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; with 3ms suffix — Hadar's city is named.
פָּ֑עוּPauproper N · פָּעוּ (H6464)Predicate nominative (city name)פָּעוּ (H6464) Pau, Hadar's city; 1 Chr 1:50 has Pai — textual variant; location unknown.
וְשֵׁ֨םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of wife-identification clause (extra detail for the final king)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the wife-identification formula is unique to the final king's entry in this list.
אִשְׁתּ֤וֹhis wifeN f sg constr + suf 3ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain (genitival — whose wife)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; with 3ms suffix — the king's wife is named, adding unusual personal depth to the final entry.
מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵל֙Mehetabelproper N · מְהֵיטַבְאֵל (H4105)Predicate nominative (wife's name)מְהֵיטַבְאֵל (H4105) Mehetabel, Hadar's wife; a theophoric name meaning 'God does good / favors'; the only queen/wife named in this entire king-list.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct chain (genitival — Mehetabel's lineage)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; Mehetabel's parentage is given in an unusually detailed formula.
מַטְרֵ֔דMatredproper N · מַטְרֵד (H4308)Construct chain (genitival)מַטְרֵד (H4308) Matred, Mehetabel's father; otherwise unknown; the name may mean 'pursuing'.
בַּ֖תdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Second construct chain (extending Mehetabel's lineage)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; extends the wife's lineage back to the grandfather.
מֵ֥יMezahabproper N · מֵי זָהָב (H4314)Construct chain (genitival — first element of compound name)מֵי זָהָב (H4314) Mezahab, Mehetabel's grandfather; the compound name means 'waters of gold'; an otherwise unknown Edomite ancestor.
זָהָֽבof goldproper N · מֵי זָהָב (H4314)Construct chain (genitival — second element of compound name)מֵי זָהָב (H4314) second element of the compound name Mezahab ('waters of gold'); the full name closes the king-list with an unusually elaborate three-generation female lineage.
40
וְ֠אֵלֶּה שְׁמ֞וֹת אַלּוּפֵ֤י עֵשָׂו֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔ם לִמְקֹמֹתָ֖ם בִּשְׁמֹתָ֑ם אַלּ֥וּף תִּמְנָ֛ע אַלּ֥וּף עַֽלְוָ֖ה אַלּ֥וּף יְתֵֽת
And these are the names of the chiefs of Esau according to their families, according to their places, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,
The list returns from kings to chiefs, now ordered by families, places, and names.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְ֠אֵלֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (closing territorial chief register heading)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the closing section returns from kings to chiefs, now ordered by families, places, and names — a territorial organization distinct from the earlier descent-based lists.
שְׁמ֞וֹתthe names ofN m pl constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (heading noun)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the formal name-roster formula opens the final chief-register.
אַלּוּפֵ֤יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Construct chain (genitival)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the names of Esau's chiefs are now organized territorially rather than genealogically.
עֵשָׂו֙Esauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Construct chain (genitival)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the patriarch under whom this territorial chief-register is organized.
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔םaccording to their familiesprep לְ + N f pl constr + suf 3mp · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Organizing prepositional phrase (first criterion — family)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'family, clan, kindred'; the first of three organizational criteria for this territorial chief-list.
לִמְקֹמֹתָ֖םaccording to their placesprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 3mp · מָקוֹם (H4725)Organizing prepositional phrase (second criterion — places)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place, location'; the second criterion is territorial — the chiefs are organized by the places they controlled, showing Edom's geographic spread.
בִּשְׁמֹתָ֑םby their namesprep בְּ + N m pl constr + suf 3mp · שֵׁם (H8034)Organizing prepositional phrase (third criterion — names)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the third criterion — each chief is identifiable by name; the threefold formula (families, places, names) is unique in Genesis.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the formulaic title precedes each name in the closing register.
תִּמְנָ֛עTimnaproper N · תִּמְנַע (H8555)Chief named (first in closing register)תִּמְנַע (H8555) Timna, chief; here a chief-name (possibly territorial), distinct from the woman Timna who was Eliphaz's concubine (v. 12) — or possibly the same territory bearing her name.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
עַֽלְוָ֖הAlvahproper N · עַלְוָה (H5933)Chief named (second in closing register)עַלְוָה (H5933) Alvah, chief; distinct from Alvan of Shobal's line (v. 23; H5935 vs. H5933) — likely a different individual or territorial name.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
יְתֵֽתJethethproper N · יְתֵת (H3509)Chief named (third in closing register)יְתֵת (H3509) Jetheth, chief; otherwise unknown outside this list and 1 Chr 1:51.
41
אַלּ֧וּף אָהֳלִיבָמָ֛ה אַלּ֥וּף אֵלָ֖ה אַלּ֥וּף פִּינֹֽן
chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
The territorial chief-list continues in compact cadence.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
אַלּ֧וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title — continues register from v. 40)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; v. 41 continues the closing territorial chief-list.
אָהֳלִיבָמָ֛הOholibamahproper N · אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173)Chief named (fourth in closing register)אָהֳלִיבָמָה (H173) Oholibamah, chief; the same name as Esau's wife appears here as a chief-name or territorial designation — suggesting the wife's name was also adopted for a chief-territory.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
אֵלָ֖הElahproper N · אֵלָה (H425)Chief named (fifth in closing register)אֵלָה (H425) Elah, chief; the same name as the king of Israel (1 Kgs 16:8) but a different individual; possibly a place-name in Edom.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
פִּינֹֽןPinonproper N · פִּינֹן (H6373)Chief named (sixth in closing register)פִּינֹן (H6373) Pinon, chief; possibly identifiable with Punon, a wilderness station (Num 33:42–43) east of the Arabah — an important copper-mining site.
42
אַלּ֥וּף קְנַ֛ז אַלּ֥וּף תֵּימָ֖ן אַלּ֥וּף מִבְצָֽר
chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
The ordered listing presses toward a final territorial consolidation of Esau’s line.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title — continues from v. 41)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the list continues.
קְנַ֛זKenazproper N · קְנַז (H7073)Chief named (seventh in closing register)קְנַז (H7073) Kenaz, chief; also Eliphaz's son (v. 11); the name reappears here as a territorial chief-designation.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
תֵּימָ֖ןTemanproper N · תֵּימָן (H8487)Chief named (eighth in closing register)תֵּימָן (H8487) Teman, chief; also Eliphaz's son (v. 11) and a region; here a territorial-chief designation in the closing register.
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
מִבְצָֽרMibzarproper N · מִבְצָר (H4014)Chief named (ninth in closing register)מִבְצָר (H4014) Mibzar, chief; the name means 'fortification, stronghold'; a territorial-chief designation suggesting a fortified Edomite site.
43
אַלּ֥וּף מַגְדִּיאֵ֖ל אַלּ֣וּף עִירָ֑ם אֵ֣לֶּה אַלּוּפֵ֣י אֱד֗וֹם לְמֹֽשְׁבֹתָם֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֲחֻזָּתָ֔ם ה֥וּא עֵשָׂ֖ו אֲבִ֥י אֱדֽוֹם
chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom according to their dwellings in the land of their possession. That is Esau, father of Edom.
Chiefdom, dwelling, land-possession, and ethnicity are gathered back into the figure of Esau as father of Edom.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אַלּ֥וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title — opens the final verse's closing summary)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the penultimate pair of chiefs closes the register before the theological summary verse.
מַגְדִּיאֵ֖לMagdielproper N · מַגְדִּיאֵל (H4025)Chief named (tenth and penultimate in closing register)מַגְדִּיאֵל (H4025) Magdiel, chief; the name may mean 'God is precious/exalted'; the rabbinical tradition associated this name with Rome (Edom = Rome in later Midrash).
אַלּ֣וּףchiefN m sg abs · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (chief title)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'.
עִירָ֑םIramproper N · עִירָם (H5902)Chief named (eleventh and final in closing register)עִירָם (H5902) Iram, the final chief in the entire genealogy of Gen 36; the name may mean 'their city'; his placement last gives the list its closure.
אֵ֣לֶּהthesedemonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (theological summary)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the final demonstrative pronoun gathers all the chiefs enumerated in vv. 40–43 for the closing theological-genealogical statement.
אַלּוּפֵ֣יchiefs ofN m pl constr · אַלּוּף (H441)Predicate nominative (construct chain — summary formula)אַלּוּף (H441) 'chief'; the final summary repeats the title in its plural construct form, linking back to the entire chapter's organizational scheme.
אֱד֗וֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival — the nation over which these chiefs ruled)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the national name closes the chief-register in a final reprise, echoing the chapter's opening.
לְמֹֽשְׁבֹתָם֙according to their dwellingsprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 3mp · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Organizing prepositional phrase (territorial conclusion)מוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'dwelling place, settlement'; with לְ + suf 3mp — 'according to their settlements'; concludes the territorial organization motif that ran through vv. 40–43.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (the land of their inheritance)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; with בְּ — their settlements are in the land of their possession, forming a territorial-inheritance formula.
אֲחֻזָּתָ֔םtheir possessionN f sg constr + suf 3mp · אֲחֻזָּה (H272)Construct chain with suffix (the land is their inherited possession)אֲחֻזָּה (H272) 'possession, holding, estate'; with 3mp suffix — 'their possession'; the term frames the land as divinely apportioned inheritance, parallel to the language used for the Promised Land of Israel.
ה֥וּאhe isindependent pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copular pronoun (identifying Esau = Edom in the closing equation)הוּא (H1931) independent pronoun 'he'; serves as the copula in the identification formula 'he is Esau, the father of Edom' — the closing theological equation of the chapter.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauproper N · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Predicate nominative (Esau named in the closing equation)עֵשָׂו (H6215) Esau; the patriarch whose genealogy fills the entire chapter; the closing identification ties the entire register back to the patriarch.
אֲבִ֥יfather ofN m sg constr · אָב (H1)Construct chain (Esau as progenitor of the nation Edom)אָב (H1) 'father'; אֲבִי אֱדוֹם 'father of Edom' — the patriarchal title closes the toledot in the same manner as 2:4 closes the heavens-and-earth toledot; Esau is the progenitor of the Edomite nation.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomproper N · אֱדוֹם (H123)Construct chain (genitival — the nation Esau fathered)אֱדוֹם (H123) Edom; the final word of the chapter and of the toledot formula restores the equation Esau = Edom that opened the chapter in vv. 1 and 8; the chapter is a complete bracket from Esau/Edom to Esau, father of Edom.