Genesis 36:10 - these are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the wife of Esau; and Reuel, the son of Basemath, the wife of Esau.

Generated Verse: Genesis 36:10

What does "Genesis 36:10" mean?


Genesis 36 is a genealogical record of Esau (also known as Edom) and his descendants. Verse 36:10 specifically names two of Esau's sons, identifying their mothers:

"These are the names of Esau's sons:" This is a straightforward introduction, indicating that the following names belong to Esau's offspring.

"Eliphaz, the son of Adah, the wife of Esau;" This part names Eliphaz as Esau's son, specifying that his mother was Adah. Adah was one of Esau's wives (mentioned earlier in Genesis).

"and Reuel, the son of Basemath, the wife of Esau." This names Reuel as Esau's son and identifies Basemath as his mother. Basemath was also one of Esau's wives.

In essence, this verse simply lists two of Esau's sons, providing their names and clarifying which wife of Esau was their mother. The purpose of such genealogical records in the Bible is often to:

Establish lineage: Tracing the descendants of important figures like Esau.
Show fulfillment of prophecies: Sometimes lineages connect to prophecies or promises made earlier in the biblical narrative.
Provide historical context: Offering a glimpse into the social and familial structures of the time.
Account for the origins of nations/tribes: Esau's descendants became the Edomites, a nation frequently mentioned in the Old Testament.

In this particular case, this verse is part of a larger section (Genesis 36) that details the origins of the Edomites.

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