mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 36.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xxxvii" n="xxxvii" next="Gen.xxxviii" prev="Gen.xxxvi" progress="24.36%" title="Chapter XXXVI">
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<h2 id="Gen.xxxvii-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xxxvii-p0.2">CHAP. XXXVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xxxvii-p1">In this chapter we have an account of the
posterity of Esau, who, from him, were called Edomites, that Esau
who sold his birthright, and lost his blessing, and was not loved
of God as Jacob was. Here is a brief register kept of his family
for some generations. 1. Because he was the son of Isaac, for whose
sake this honour is put upon him. 2. Because the Edomites were
neighbours to Israel, and their genealogy would be of use to give
light to the following stories of what passed between them. 3. It
is to show the performance of the promise to Abraham, that he
should be "the father of many nations," and of that answer which
Rebekah had from the oracle she consulted, "Two nations are in thy
womb," and of the blessing of Isaac, "Thy dwelling shall be the
fatness of the earth." We have here, I. Esau's wives, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.1-Gen.36.5" parsed="|Gen|36|1|36|5" passage="Ge 36:1-5">ver. 1-5</scripRef>. II. His remove to mount
Seir, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.6-Gen.36.8" parsed="|Gen|36|6|36|8" passage="Ge 36:6-8">ver. 6-8</scripRef>. III. The
names of his sons, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.9-Gen.36.14" parsed="|Gen|36|9|36|14" passage="Ge 36:9-14">ver.
9-14</scripRef>. IV. The dukes who descended of his sons, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.15-Gen.36.19" parsed="|Gen|36|15|36|19" passage="Ge 36:15-19">ver. 15-19</scripRef>. V. The dukes of the
Horites, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.20-Gen.36.30" parsed="|Gen|36|20|36|30" passage="Ge 36:20-30">ver. 20-30</scripRef>. VI.
The kings and dukes of Edom, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.31-Gen.36.43" parsed="|Gen|36|31|36|43" passage="Ge 36:31-43">ver.
31-43</scripRef>. Little more is recorded than their names, because
the history of those that were out of the church (though perhaps it
might have been serviceable in politics) would have been of little
use in divinity. It is in the church that the memorable instances
are found of special grace, and special providence; for that is the
enclosure, the rest is common. This chapter is abridged, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.1.35-1Chr.1.54" parsed="|1Chr|1|35|1|54" passage="1Ch 1:35-54">1 Chron. i. 35</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36" parsed="|Gen|36|0|0|0" passage="Ge 36" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.1-Gen.36.8" parsed="|Gen|36|1|36|8" passage="Ge 36:1-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.36.1-Gen.36.8">
<h4 id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.10">The Generations of Esau. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xxxvii-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1780.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxvii-p2">1 Now these <i>are</i> the generations of Esau,
who <i>is</i> Edom.   2 Esau took his wives of the daughters
of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah
the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;   3
And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.   4 And
Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;   5 And
Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these <i>are</i> the
sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
  6 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters,
and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his
beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of
Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother
Jacob.   7 For their riches were more than that they might
dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not
bear them because of their cattle.   8 Thus dwelt Esau in
mount Seir: Esau <i>is</i> Edom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxvii-p3">Observe here, 1. Concerning Esau himself,
<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.1" parsed="|Gen|36|1|0|0" passage="Ge 36:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. He is called
<i>Edom</i> (and again, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.8" parsed="|Gen|36|8|0|0" passage="Ge 36:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>), that name by which was perpetuated the remembrance
of the foolish bargain he made, when he sold his birthright for
<i>that red, that red pottage.</i> The very mention of that name is
enough to intimate the reason why his family is turned off with
such a short account. Note, If men do a wrong thing they must thank
themselves, when it is, long afterwards, remembered against them to
their reproach. 2. Concerning his wives, and the children they bore
him in the land of Canaan. He had three wives, and, by them all,
but five sons: many a one has more by one wife. God in his
providence often disappoints those who take indirect courses to
build up a family; yet here the promise prevailed, and Esau's
family was built up. 3. Concerning his removal to mount Seir, which
was the country God had given him for a possession, when he
reserved Canaan for the seed of Jacob. God owns it, long
afterwards: <i>I gave to Esau mount Seir</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.5 Bible:Josh.24.4" parsed="|Deut|2|5|0|0;|Josh|24|4|0|0" passage="De 2:5,Jos 24:4">Deut. ii. 5; Josh. xxiv. 4</scripRef>), which was
the reason why the Edomites must not be disturbed in their
possession. Those that have not a right by promise, such as Jacob
had, to Canaan, may have a very good title by providence to their
estates, such as Esau had to mount Seir. Esau had begun to settle
among his wives' relations, in Seir, before Jacob came from
Padan-aram, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.32.3" parsed="|Gen|32|3|0|0" passage="Ge 32:3"><i>ch.</i> xxxii.
3</scripRef>. Isaac, it is likely, had sent him thither (as Abraham
in his life-time had sent the sons of the concubines from Isaac his
son into the east country, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.26.6" parsed="|Gen|26|6|0|0" passage="Ge 26:6"><i>ch.</i>
xxv. 6</scripRef>), that Jacob might have the clearer way made for
him to the possession of the promised land. During the life of
Isaac, however, Esau had probably still some effects remaining in
Canaan; but, after his death, he wholly withdrew to mount Seir,
took with him what came to his share of his father's personal
estate, and left Canaan to Jacob, not only because he had the
promise of it, but because Esau perceived that if they should
continue to thrive as they had begun there would not be room for
both. <i>Thus dwelt Esau in Mount Seir,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.8" parsed="|Gen|36|8|0|0" passage="Ge 36:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. Note, Whatever opposition may be
made, God's word will be accomplished, and even those that have
opposed it will see themselves, some time or other, under a
necessity of yielding to it, and acquiescing in it. Esau had
struggled for Canaan, but now he tamely retires to mount Seir; for
God's counsels shall

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certainly stand,
concerning the times before appointed, and the bounds of our
habitation.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.9-Gen.36.19" parsed="|Gen|36|9|36|19" passage="Ge 36:9-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.36.9-Gen.36.19">
<h4 id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.8">The Dukes of Edom. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xxxvii-p3.9">b. c.</span> 1729.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxvii-p4">9 And these <i>are</i> the generations of Esau
the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:   10 These
<i>are</i> the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the
wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.  
11 And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and
Kenaz.   12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and
she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these <i>were</i> the sons of Adah
Esau's wife.   13 And these <i>are</i> the sons of Reuel;
Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of
Bashemath Esau's wife.   14 And these were the sons of
Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's
wife: and she bare to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.   15
These <i>were</i> dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz
the firstborn <i>son</i> of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke
Zepho, duke Kenaz,   16 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, <i>and</i>
duke Amalek: these <i>are</i> the dukes <i>that came</i> of Eliphaz
in the land of Edom; these <i>were</i> the sons of Adah.   17
And these <i>are</i> the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath,
duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these <i>are</i> the dukes
<i>that came</i> of Reuel in the land of Edom; these <i>are</i> the
sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.   18 And these <i>are</i> the
sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke
Korah: these <i>were</i> the dukes <i>that came</i> of Aholibamah
the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.   19 These <i>are</i> the
sons of Esau, who <i>is</i> Edom, and these <i>are</i> their
dukes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxvii-p5">Observe here, 1. That only the names of
Esau's sons and grandsons are recorded, only their names, not their
history; for it is the church that Moses preserves the records of,
not the record of those that are without. Those elders that lived
by faith alone obtained a good report. It is Sion that produces the
men of renown, not Seir, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.87.5" parsed="|Ps|87|5|0|0" passage="Ps 87:5">Ps. lxxxvii.
5</scripRef>. Nor does the genealogy go any further than the third
and fourth generation; the very names of all after are buried in
oblivion. It is only the pedigree of the Israelites, who were to be
the heirs of Canaan, and of whom were to come the promised seed,
and the holy seed, that is drawn out to any length, as far as there
was occasion for it, even of all the tribes till Canaan was divided
among them, and of the royal line till Christ came. 2. That these
sons and grandsons of Esau are called <i>dukes,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.15-Gen.36.19" parsed="|Gen|36|15|36|19" passage="Ge 36:15-19"><i>v.</i> 15-19</scripRef>. Probably they
were military commanders, dukes, or captains, that had soldiers
under them; for Esau and his family lived <i>by the sword,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.27.40" parsed="|Gen|27|40|0|0" passage="Ge 27:40"><i>ch.</i> xxvii. 40</scripRef>. Note,
Titles of honour have been more ancient out of the church than in
it. Esau's sons were dukes when Jacob's sons were but plain
shepherds, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.47.3" parsed="|Gen|47|3|0|0" passage="Ge 47:3"><i>ch.</i> xlvii.
3</scripRef>. This is not a reason why such titles should not be
used among Christians; but it is a reason why men should not
overvalue themselves, or others, for the sake of them. There is an
honour that comes from God, and a name in his house that is
infinitely more valuable. Edomites may be dukes with men, but
Israelites indeed are made to our God kings and priests. 3. We may
suppose those dukes had numerous families of children and servants
that were their dukedoms. God promised to multiply Jacob, and to
enrich him; yet Esau increases, and is enriched first. Note, It is
no new thing for the men of this world to be full of children, and
to have their bellies too <i>filled with hidden treasures,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.17.14" parsed="|Ps|17|14|0|0" passage="Ps 17:14">Ps. xvii. 14</scripRef>. God's promise
to Jacob began to work late, but the effect of it remained longer,
and it had its complete accomplishment in the spiritual Israel.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxxvii-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.20-Gen.36.30" parsed="|Gen|36|20|36|30" passage="Ge 36:20-30" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.36.20-Gen.36.30">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxvii-p6">20 These <i>are</i> the sons of Seir the Horite,
who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,
  21 And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these <i>are</i> the
dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
  22 And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and
Lotan's sister <i>was</i> Timna.   23 And the children of
Shobal <i>were</i> these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho,
and Onam.   24 And these <i>are</i> the children of Zibeon;
both Ajah, and Anah: this <i>was that</i> Anah that found the mules
in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.  
25 And the children of Anah <i>were</i> these; Dishon, and
Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.   26 And these <i>are</i> the
children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
  27 The children of Ezer <i>are</i> these; Bilhan, and
Zaavan, and Akan.   28 The children of Dishan <i>are</i>
these; Uz, and Aran.   29 These <i>are</i> the dukes <i>that
came</i> of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke
Anah,   30 Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these
<i>are</i> the dukes <i>that came</i> of

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Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxvii-p7">In the midst of this genealogy of the
Edomites here is inserted the genealogy of the Horites, those
Canaanites, or Hittites (compare <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.26.34" parsed="|Gen|26|34|0|0" passage="Ge 26:34"><i>ch.</i> xxvi. 34</scripRef>), that were the natives
of Mount Seir. Mention is made of them, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.14.6" parsed="|Gen|14|6|0|0" passage="Ge 14:6"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 6</scripRef>, and of their interest in
Mount Seir, before the Edomites took possession of it, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.12 Bible:Deut.2.22" parsed="|Deut|2|12|0|0;|Deut|2|22|0|0" passage="De 2:12,22">Deut. ii. 12, 22</scripRef>. This comes in
here, not only to give light to the story, but to be a standing
reflection upon the Edomites for intermarrying with them, by which,
it is probable, they learned their way, and corrupted themselves.
Esau having sold his birthright, and lost his blessing, and entered
into alliance with the Hittites, his posterity and the sons of Seir
are here reckoned together. Note, Those that treacherously desert
God's church are justly numbered with those that were never in it;
apostate Edomites stand on the same ground with accursed Horites.
Particular notice is taken of one Anah who fed the asses of Zibeon
his father (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.24" parsed="|Gen|36|24|0|0" passage="Ge 36:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>),
and yet is called <i>duke Anah,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p7.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.29" parsed="|Gen|36|29|0|0" passage="Ge 36:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. Note, Those that expect to rise
high should begin low. An honourable descent should not keep men
from an honest employment, nor a mean employment hinder any man's
preferment. This Anah was not only industrious in his business, but
ingenious too, and successful; for he found <i>mules,</i> or (as
some read it) <i>waters, hot-baths,</i> in the wilderness. Those
that are diligent in their business sometimes find more advantages
than they expected.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xxxvii-p7.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.31-Gen.36.43" parsed="|Gen|36|31|36|43" passage="Ge 36:31-43" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.36.31-Gen.36.43">
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xxxvii-p8">31 And these <i>are</i> the kings that reigned
in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the
children of Israel.   32 And Bela the son of Beor reigned in
Edom: and the name of his city <i>was</i> Dinhabah.   33 And
Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his
stead.   34 And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani
reigned in his stead.   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 <i>was</i> Avith.   36 And
Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.   37
And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth <i>by</i> the river reigned
in his stead.   38 And Saul died, and Baal-hanan the son of
Achbor reigned in his stead.   39 And Baal-hanan the son of
Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his
city <i>was</i> Pau; and his wife's name <i>was</i> Mehetabel, the
daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.   40 And these
<i>are</i> the names of the dukes <i>that came</i> of Esau,
according to their families, after their places, by their names;
duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,   41 Duke Aholibamah,
duke Elah, duke Pinon,   42 Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke
Mibzar,   43 Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these <i>be</i> the
dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their
possession: he <i>is</i> Esau the father of the Edomites.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xxxvii-p9">By degrees, it seems, the Edomites wormed
out the Horites, obtained full possession of the country, and had a
government of their own. 1. They were ruled by kings, who governed
the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election,
and not by lineal descent; so bishop Patrick observes. These kings
reigned in <i>Edom before there reigned any king over the children
of Israel,</i> that is, before Moses's time, for <i>he was king in
Jeshurun,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.5" parsed="|Deut|33|5|0|0" passage="De 33:5">Deut. xxxiii.
5</scripRef>. God had lately promised <i>Jacob that kings should
come out of his loins</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.35.11" parsed="|Gen|35|11|0|0" passage="Ge 35:11"><i>ch.</i>
xxxv. 11</scripRef>), yet Esau's blood becomes royal long before
any of Jacob's did. Note, In external prosperity and honour, the
children of the covenant are often cast behind, and those that are
out of covenant get the start. The triumphing of the wicked may be
quick, but it is short; soon ripe, and as soon rotten: but the
products of the promise, though they are slow, are sure and
lasting; <i>at the end it shall speak, and not lie.</i> We may
suppose it was a great trial to the faith of God's Israel to hear
of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were
bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God
must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. 2.
They were afterwards governed by dukes, again here named, who, I
suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the
country. Either they set up this form of government in conformity
to the Horites, who had used it (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.29" parsed="|Gen|36|29|0|0" passage="Ge 36:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>), or God's providence reduced
them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their
unkindness to Israel, in refusing them a passage though their
country, <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.20.18" parsed="|Num|20|18|0|0" passage="Nu 20:18">Num. xx. 18</scripRef>. Note,
When power is abused, it is just with God to weaken it, by turning
it into divers channels. <i>For the transgression of a land, many
are the princes thereof.</i> Sin brought Edom from kings to dukes,
from crowns to coronets. We read of the dukes of Edom (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.15.15" parsed="|Exod|15|15|0|0" passage="Ex 15:15">Exod. xv: 15</scripRef>), yet, long afterwards,
of their kings again. 3. Mount Seir is called <i>the land of their
possession,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.43" parsed="|Gen|36|43|0|0" passage="Ge 36:43"><i>v.</i>
43</scripRef>. While the Israelites dwelt in the house of bondage,
and their Canaan was only the land of promise, the Edomites dwelt
in their own habitations, and Seir was in their possession. Note,
The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in
hope (<scripRef id="Gen.xxxvii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Luke.16.25" parsed="|Luke|16|25|0|0" passage="Lu 16:25">Luke xvi. 25</scripRef>); while

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the children of God have their all in hope,
and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is
better to have Canaan in promise than mount Seir in possession.</p>
</div></div2>