King James Version

What Does Genesis 36:4 Mean?

Genesis 36:4 in the King James Version says “And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;”

Genesis 36:4 · KJV

Context

2

Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

3

And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

4

And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;

5

And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.

6

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob. persons: Heb. souls

Read Genesis 36 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
יָֽלְדָ֖ה1 of 9

“bare”

H3205

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

עָדָ֛ה2 of 9

“And Adah”

H5711

adah, the name of two women

לְעֵשָׂ֖ו3 of 9

“to Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶת4 of 9
H853

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

אֱלִיפָ֑ז5 of 9

“Eliphaz”

H464

eliphaz, the name of one of job's friends, and of a son of esau

וּבָ֣שְׂמַ֔ת6 of 9

“and Bashemath”

H1315

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

יָֽלְדָ֖ה7 of 9

“bare”

H3205

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

אֶת8 of 9
H853

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

רְעוּאֵֽל׃9 of 9

“Reuel”

H7467

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

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 36:4 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 36:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 1:35Exodus 2:18Job 2:11Numbers 10:29

Test Your Knowledge

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