Genesis 36:7 describes the separation of Esau (also called Edom) and Jacob (also called Israel). The verse means:
"For their substance was too great for them to dwell together": Esau and Jacob had both accumulated considerable wealth in livestock, servants, and possessions. Their individual wealth was so extensive that it created conflicts and practical problems when they tried to live in the same area. Think of it like two very large families both trying to live in a small house.
"and the land of their travels couldn’t bear them because of their livestock": The land where they were sojourning (likely Canaan) couldn't support the grazing and water needs of both Esau's and Jacob's vast herds. Their combined livestock would quickly deplete the available resources, leading to conflicts over land and water, and overall environmental strain.
Essentially, the verse explains that Esau and Jacob had become too wealthy and their herds too large for them to continue living together in the same region. It set the stage for Esau to move away and settle in the region of Seir, which became known as Edom, as detailed in Genesis 36. This separation was partly due to the practical realities of resource management.
Genesis 36:7 describes the separation of Esau (also called Edom) and Jacob (also called Israel). The verse means:
"For their substance was too great for them to dwell together": Esau and Jacob had both accumulated considerable wealth in livestock, servants, and possessions. Their individual wealth was so extensive that it created conflicts and practical problems when they tried to live in the same area. Think of it like two very large families both trying to live in a small house.
"and the land of their travels couldn’t bear them because of their livestock": The land where they were sojourning (likely Canaan) couldn't support the grazing and water needs of both Esau's and Jacob's vast herds. Their combined livestock would quickly deplete the available resources, leading to conflicts over land and water, and overall environmental strain.
Essentially, the verse explains that Esau and Jacob had become too wealthy and their herds too large for them to continue living together in the same region. It set the stage for Esau to move away and settle in the region of Seir, which became known as Edom, as detailed in Genesis 36. This separation was partly due to the practical realities of resource management.