Notes for Gen 36:1LEB
Chapter 36 records what became of Esau. It will list both his actual descendants as well as the people he subsumed under his tribal leadership, people who were aboriginal Edomites. The chapter is long and complicated (see further J. R. Bartlett, "The Edomite King-List of Genesis 36:31–39LEB and 1 Chronicles 1:43–50LEB, " JTS 16 [1965]: 301-14; and W. J. Horowitz, "Were There Twelve Horite Tribes?" CBQ 35 [1973]: 69-71). In the format of the Book of Genesis, the line of Esau is "tidied up" before the account of Jacob is traced (Gen 37:2LEB). As such the arrangement makes a strong contrast with Jacob. As F. Delitzsch says, "secular greatness in general grows up far more rapidly than spiritual greatness" (New Commentary on Genesis, 2:238). In other words, the progress of the world far out distances the progress of the righteous who are waiting for the promise.
Notes for Gen 36:2LEB
"from the daughters of Canaan."
"daughter," but see Gen 36:24–25.
Notes for Gen 36:6LEB
"from before."
Notes for Gen 36:7LEB
"land of their settlements."
Notes for Gen 36:8LEB
Traditionally "Mount Seir," but in this case the expression בְּהַר שֵׂעִיר (béhar se’ir) refers to the hill country or highlands of Seir.
Notes for Gen 36:9LEB
The term father in genealogical records needs to be carefully defined. It can refer to a literal father, a grandfather, a political overlord, or a founder.
Notes for Gen 36:12LEB
Or "grandsons" (NIV); "descendants" (NEB).
Notes for Gen 36:13LEB
Or "grandsons" (NIV); "descendants" (NEB).
Notes for Gen 36:14LEB
"daughter," but see Gen 36:24–25LEB.
Notes for Gen 36:15LEB
Or "clan leaders" (so also throughout this chapter).
Or "sons."
Notes for Gen 36:16LEB
The Samaritan Pentateuch omits the name "Korah" (see v. 11 and 1 Chr 1:36).
Or "grandsons" (NIV); "descendants" (NEB).
Notes for Gen 36:17LEB
Or "grandsons" (NIV); "descendants" (NEB).
Notes for Gen 36:20LEB
The same pattern of sons, grandsons, and chiefs is now listed for Seir the Horite. "Seir" is both the name of the place and the name of the ancestor of these tribes. The name "Horite" is probably not to be identified with "Hurrian." The clan of Esau settled in this area, intermarried with these Horites and eventually dispossessed them, so that they all became known as Edomites (Deut 2:12LEB telescopes the whole development).
Notes for Gen 36:21LEB
Or "sons."
Notes for Gen 36:22LEB
"Hemam"; this is probably a variant spelling of "Homam" (1 Chr 1:39LEB); cf. NRSV, NLT "Heman."
Notes for Gen 36:23LEB
This name is given as "Shephi" in 1 Chr 1:40LEB.
Notes for Gen 36:24LEB
The meaning of this Hebrew term is uncertain; Syriac reads "water" and Vulgate reads "hot water."
Notes for Gen 36:25LEB
"sons," but since a daughter is included in the list, the word must be translated "children."
Notes for Gen 36:26LEB
"Dishan," but this must be either a scribal error or variant spelling, since "Dishan" is mentioned in v. 28 (see also v. 21).
Notes for Gen 36:31LEB
Or perhaps "before any Israelite king ruled over [them]."
Notes for Gen 36:37LEB
Typically the Hebrew expression "the River" refers to the Euphrates River, but it is not certain whether that is the case here. Among the modern English versions which take this as a reference to the Euphrates are NASB, NCV, NRSV, CEV, NLT. Cf. NAB, TEV "Rehoboth-on-the-River."
Notes for Gen 36:39LEB
Most mss of the MT read "Hadar" here; "Hadad" is the reading found in some Hebrew mss, the Samaritan Pentateuch, and Syriac (cf. also 1 Chr 1:50LEB).
The name of the city is given as "Pai" in 1 Chr 1:50LEB.
Notes for Gen 36:43LEB
Or perhaps "territories"; Heb "dwelling places."