Esau’s chiefs in Edom built a strong network of leaders who governed clans in a historically pivotal region of the ancient Near East.
Genesis 36:15Genesis 36:15 commentary says: Now these are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau, are chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz (v. 15), the Scripture begins by listing the recognized leaders that arose from Esau’s lineage. Esau, born around 2006 BC, was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and brother of Jacob. This genealogy underscores the many descendants who flourished from Esau’s family, particularly through his firstborn son Eliphaz, who held a place of honor as the eldest. By identifying them as “chiefs,” the passage conveys that these men exercised leadership or headship over their respective clans.
The names here—Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Kenaz—remind us that within ancient Near Eastern cultures, constructing genealogies highlighted the continuity of families and the inheritance of blessings. Teman would later become a notable clan location, mentioned elsewhere in Scripture as part of Edom’s geography (Obadiah 1:9Obadiah 1:9 commentary). The historical region of Edom was located southeast of the land of Canaan, encompassing areas in modern-day southern Jordan. Even from these details, God’s promise of fruitful multiplication to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:5-6Genesis 17:5-6 commentary) rings forth, for Esau too was a beneficiary of that blessing.
Genesis 36:16Genesis 36:16 commentary continues, chief Korah, chief Gatam, and chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah (v. 16) These additional clans further establish the broad scope of Esau’s family tree, once again set in Edom, a region sometimes depicted in conflict with Israel but nonetheless fulfilling prophecies that Esau would become a nation of his own (Genesis 25:23Genesis 25:23 commentary). Korah here is not to be confused with other biblical figures of the same name—he stands as a unique leader descended from Eliphaz. Gatam and Amalek also become known in biblical tradition; Amalek later emerges as the ancestor of the Amalekites, a people who would often clash with the Israelites (Exodus 17:8-16Exodus 17:8-16 commentary).
Next, These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath (v. 17) introduces another major branch of Esau’s lineage. Reuel’s sons—Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah—demonstrate an ongoing pattern of leadership among descendants, with each man recognized as a chief. Basemath, Esau’s wife, also shares in passing on this inheritance. This structured and repeated listing of chiefs shows that the clans of Esau were organized with clear roles of governance.
The text continues, These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, and chief Korah; these are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah (v. 18). Oholibamah, another of Esau’s wives, likewise bears multiple sons who lead their own sub-branches within the Edomite community. Each time the phrase “chief” is repeated, the Scripture emphasizes that political and familial structures were deeply intertwined in this ancient world. The children of Oholibamah, therefore, held substantial standing, just like their half-brothers through Esau’s other marriages.
Finally, These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs (v. 19) provides a succinct reminder of Esau’s alternate name, Edom—so called because he famously traded his birthright for red stew (Genesis 25:30Genesis 25:30 commentary). By reiterating that these descendants are Edomites, the verse frames Esau’s lineage as the patriarch of an entire region and people group. Historically, Edom’s proximity to Israel and shared family heritage through Isaac set a stage for both cooperation and conflict in subsequent generations. Yet even so, this passage affirms that Esau’s family became numerous and influential, fulfilling promises that he too would father nations.
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Genesis 36:15-19 meaning
Genesis 36:15Genesis 36:15 commentary says: Now these are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau, are chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz (v. 15), the Scripture begins by listing the recognized leaders that arose from Esau’s lineage. Esau, born around 2006 BC, was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and brother of Jacob. This genealogy underscores the many descendants who flourished from Esau’s family, particularly through his firstborn son Eliphaz, who held a place of honor as the eldest. By identifying them as “chiefs,” the passage conveys that these men exercised leadership or headship over their respective clans.
The names here—Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Kenaz—remind us that within ancient Near Eastern cultures, constructing genealogies highlighted the continuity of families and the inheritance of blessings. Teman would later become a notable clan location, mentioned elsewhere in Scripture as part of Edom’s geography (Obadiah 1:9Obadiah 1:9 commentary). The historical region of Edom was located southeast of the land of Canaan, encompassing areas in modern-day southern Jordan. Even from these details, God’s promise of fruitful multiplication to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 17:5-6Genesis 17:5-6 commentary) rings forth, for Esau too was a beneficiary of that blessing.
Genesis 36:16Genesis 36:16 commentary continues, chief Korah, chief Gatam, and chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah (v. 16) These additional clans further establish the broad scope of Esau’s family tree, once again set in Edom, a region sometimes depicted in conflict with Israel but nonetheless fulfilling prophecies that Esau would become a nation of his own (Genesis 25:23Genesis 25:23 commentary). Korah here is not to be confused with other biblical figures of the same name—he stands as a unique leader descended from Eliphaz. Gatam and Amalek also become known in biblical tradition; Amalek later emerges as the ancestor of the Amalekites, a people who would often clash with the Israelites (Exodus 17:8-16Exodus 17:8-16 commentary).
Next, These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath (v. 17) introduces another major branch of Esau’s lineage. Reuel’s sons—Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah—demonstrate an ongoing pattern of leadership among descendants, with each man recognized as a chief. Basemath, Esau’s wife, also shares in passing on this inheritance. This structured and repeated listing of chiefs shows that the clans of Esau were organized with clear roles of governance.
The text continues, These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, and chief Korah; these are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah (v. 18). Oholibamah, another of Esau’s wives, likewise bears multiple sons who lead their own sub-branches within the Edomite community. Each time the phrase “chief” is repeated, the Scripture emphasizes that political and familial structures were deeply intertwined in this ancient world. The children of Oholibamah, therefore, held substantial standing, just like their half-brothers through Esau’s other marriages.
Finally, These are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and these are their chiefs (v. 19) provides a succinct reminder of Esau’s alternate name, Edom—so called because he famously traded his birthright for red stew (Genesis 25:30Genesis 25:30 commentary). By reiterating that these descendants are Edomites, the verse frames Esau’s lineage as the patriarch of an entire region and people group. Historically, Edom’s proximity to Israel and shared family heritage through Isaac set a stage for both cooperation and conflict in subsequent generations. Yet even so, this passage affirms that Esau’s family became numerous and influential, fulfilling promises that he too would father nations.