What does Genesis 36:1 mean?
Genesis is divided into sections, using the Hebrew word tōledot', literally meaning "records of the generations." Each section focuses on the main descendants of a certain Old Testament figure. Earlier sections discussed the heirs of Adam (Genesis 5:1), Noah (Genesis 6:9), Shem (Genesis 11:10), Terah, the father of Abraham (Genesis 11:27), and Ishmael (Genesis 25:12). The portion immediately before this gave the history of Isaac, Esau's father, and mostly focused on Esau's twin brother, Jacob (Genesis 25:19).This chapter describes the generations of Esau, also identified as Edom. Edom is the name given to the nation which controlled Seir, the region Esau and his descendants occupied. They become known as the Edomites (Numbers 20:14–21; 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Kings 8:20; Obadiah 1:8–11).
The next chapter will begin the "generations of Jacob," focusing mostly on his son Joseph.