King James Version

What Does Genesis 36:14 Mean?

Genesis 36:14 in the King James Version says “And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bare to Esau Je...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 36:14 · KJV

Context

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,

16

Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

Read Genesis 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and... 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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How should this truth about Edomite Kings shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאֵ֣לֶּה1 of 18
H428

these or those

הָי֗וּ2 of 18
H1961

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

בְּנֵ֨י3 of 18

“And these were 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

אָהֳלִֽיבָמָ֧ה4 of 18

“of Aholibamah”

H173

oholibamah, a wife of esau

בַּת5 of 18

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

עֲנָ֛ה6 of 18

“of Anah”

H6034

anah, the name of two edomites and one edomitess

בַּת7 of 18

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

צִבְע֖וֹן8 of 18

“of Zibeon”

H6649

tsibon, an idumaean

אֵ֣שֶׁת9 of 18

“wife”

H802

a woman

לְעֵשָׂ֔ו10 of 18

“Esau's”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

וַתֵּ֣לֶד11 of 18

“and she bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְעֵשָׂ֔ו12 of 18

“Esau's”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶת13 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְע֥וּשׁ14 of 18
H3266

jeush, the name of an edomite and of four israelites

וְאֶת15 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יַעְלָ֖ם16 of 18

“and Jaalam”

H3281

jalam, an edomite

וְאֶת17 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קֹֽרַח׃18 of 18

“and Korah”

H7141

korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites

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 36:14 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 36:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 36:2Genesis 36:18Genesis 36:51 Chronicles 1:35

Test Your Knowledge

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

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