Genesis 36:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These are the chiefs of the Horites: the chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,

NIV: These were the Horite chiefs: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,

NASB: These are the chiefs descended from the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,

CSB: These are the chiefs among the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,

NLT: So these were the leaders of the Horite clans: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah,

KJV: These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,

NKJV: These were the chiefs of the Horites: Chief Lotan, Chief Shobal, Chief Zibeon, Chief Anah,

The Horites originally occupied the region of Seir, named for the patriarch of their people (Genesis 14:6). They were overrun, but not wiped out, by Esau and his descendants (Genesis 36:6–8) when they moved to the area (Deuteronomy 2:12).

This and the following verse (Genesis 36:30) list the tribal leaders of the Horites. This is simply a list of Seir's previously mentioned sons, including Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, and Anah (Genesis 36:20).

Genesis 36:20–30 describes the people Esau and his offspring defeated to take control of their homeland (Deuteronomy 2:12). These are the Horites (Genesis 14:6), descended from a man named Seir. After Esau's conquest, the region became known as Edom (Genesis 36:1).

Genesis 36 describes the generations of Esau, mostly focusing on the genealogy and rulers of the land of Edom. Repeatedly, the chapter emphasizes that Esau is Edom, repeating an association made earlier in Genesis (Genesis 25:25, 30). The Edomite people are his descendants. The regions in the land of Edom are named for his offspring. The chapter diverts briefly to give the genealogy of the Horite people (Genesis 14:6) who occupied the land before it was conquered (Deuteronomy 2:12). Finally, the chapter lists eight kings of Edom, along with the chiefs whose names became associated with the regions their clans occupied.

Genesis 35 concludes with the death of Isaac. It marks the end of the story arc which focused on him (Genesis 25:19). Genesis 36 briefly describes the generations of Esau, Jacob's twin brother, listing his sons, grandsons, and the kings of Edom, the nation that came from Esau. This is parallel to how Genesis 25:12–18 relayed the fate of Ishamel, another son who did not carry the line of promise. Genesis 37 begins the generations of Jacob, focusing mostly on the story of Joseph.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 4/28/2024 4:51:53 PM