King James Version

What Does Genesis 36:13 Mean?

Genesis 36:13 in the King James Version says “And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.”

Genesis 36:13 · KJV

Context

11

And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz. Zepho: or, Zephi

12

And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.

13

And these are 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 were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,

Read Genesis 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bash... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Esau's Descendants emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙1 of 13
H428

these or those

בְּנֵ֥י2 of 13

“And these are the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

רְעוּאֵ֔ל3 of 13

“of Reuel”

H7467

reuel, the name of moses' father-in-law, also of an edomite and an israelite

נַ֥חַת4 of 13

“Nahath”

H5184

nachath, the name of an edomite and of two israelites

וָזֶ֖רַח5 of 13

“and Zerah”

H2226

zerach, the name of three israelites, also of an idumaean and an ethiopian prince

שַׁמָּ֣ה6 of 13

“Shammah”

H8048

shammah, the name of an edomite and four israelites

וּמִזָּ֑ה7 of 13

“and Mizzah”

H4199

mizzah, an edomite

אֵ֣לֶּ֣ה8 of 13
H428

these or those

הָי֔וּ9 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּנֵ֥י10 of 13

“And these are the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בָֽשְׂמַ֖ת11 of 13

“of Bashemath”

H1315

bosmath, the name of a wife of esau, and of a daughter of solomon

אֵ֥שֶׁת12 of 13

“wife”

H802

a woman

עֵשָֽׂו׃13 of 13

“Esau's”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 36:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 36:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 1:37Genesis 36:17

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 36 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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