Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 36:31 - 36:43
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Kings of Edom
v. 31. And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, up to the time that the children of Israel began the conquest of Canaan, for it was at that time that Moses wrote this account.
v. 32. And Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
v. 33. And Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his stead. This city was very important, being considered one of the capitals of the Edomites, Isa_34:6; Isa_63:1.
v. 34. And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead. This land, according to Jerome, was a region in Southern Idumea, not far from the city of Petra.
v. 35. And Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead; and the name— of his city was Avith. At his time the kingdom must have been very powerful.
v. 36. And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
v. 37. And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead. This may indicate that Saul was a stranger from the Euphrates, but it is more probable that Rehoboth was a city on the Zered, which flows into the Dead Sea.
v. 38. And Saul died, and Baalhanan, the son of Achbor, reigned in his stead.
v. 39. And Baalhanan, the son of Achbor, died, and Hadar reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab. Since the relatives of Hadar are noted so carefully and his death is not mentioned, he seems to have been king at the time of Israel's sojourn in the wilderness. It was Hadar, then, who refused the children of Israel passage through his land, Num_20:14-21. It appears from the list of kings that the monarchy in Edom was limited and that it was not hereditary, but elective, the tribal princes very likely choosing a king out of their midst whenever a vacancy occurred.
v. 40. And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names: Duke Timnah, Duke Alvah, Duke Jetheth,
v. 41. Duke Aholibamah, Duke Elah, Duke Pinon,
v. 42. Duke Kenaz, Duke Teman, Duke Mibzar,
v. 43. Duke Magdiel, Duke Iram; these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession; he is Esau, the father of the Edomites. This list gives the geographical position of the original personal tribe-princes, for it was a hereditary aristocracy that obtained in the land of Edom, and the princes formed the electoral college whenever a new king was to be chosen. The history of Esau is herewith brought to an end.