Genesis 36:14 - These were the sons of Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife: she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Generated Verse: Genesis 36:14

What does "Genesis 36:14" mean?


Genesis 36 lists the descendants of Esau, also known as Edom. Verse 36:14 specifically details the sons that Esau had through one of his wives, Oholibamah.

Let's break it down:

"These were the sons of Oholibamah...": This identifies the following names as sons (male offspring) of Oholibamah.
"...the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, Esau’s wife...": This describes Oholibamah's lineage. It tells us that she was the daughter of Anah, who was the daughter of Zibeon. More importantly, it states that she was Esau's wife. The specific mention of Oholibamah's ancestry is a common practice in genealogical records in the Bible, highlighting the importance of lineage and tribal connections. It is important to note that the text as presented here is potentially confusing, as Anah is also described as the son of Zibeon in Genesis 36:2, which is commonly thought to be a scribal error, and should refer to the daughter of Zibeon.
"...she bore to Esau Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.": This states that Oholibamah gave birth to three sons for Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

In short, the verse means: Esau had three sons, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah, with his wife Oholibamah, who was the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon.

Significance:

Genealogy: This verse is part of the larger genealogical account of Esau's descendants. Genealogy was very important in ancient cultures because it established identity, inheritance, and tribal affiliation.
Esau's lineage: It shows that Esau (also called Edom) had a significant lineage, which would eventually become the nation of Edom, a neighbor and often adversary of Israel.
Oholibamah's role: It highlights the role of women in bearing children and continuing the family line. While the Bible is patriarchal, women were often important in tracing lineage, particularly when there was an emphasis on the mother's ancestry, as seen here.

The inclusion of this verse in the larger account of Esau's descendants serves to establish the origins and history of the Edomite nation and its relationship to the Israelites (descendants of Jacob, Esau's twin brother).

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