King James Version

What Does Genesis 36:5 Mean?

Genesis 36:5 in the King James Version says “And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Ca... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 36:5 · KJV


Context

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

7

For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto h... 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 understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאָהֳלִֽיבָמָה֙1 of 16

And Aholibamah

H173

oholibamah, a wife of esau

יֻלְּדוּ2 of 16

bare

H3205

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

אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

יְע֥וּשׁ4 of 16
H3266

jeush, the name of an edomite and of four israelites

וְאֶת5 of 16
H853

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

יַעְלָ֖ם6 of 16

and Jaalam

H3281

jalam, an edomite

וְאֶת7 of 16
H853

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

קֹ֑רַח8 of 16

and Korah

H7141

korach, the name of two edomites and three israelites

אֵ֚לֶּה9 of 16
H428

these or those

בְּנֵ֣י10 of 16

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

עֵשָׂ֔ו11 of 16

of Esau

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֻלְּדוּ13 of 16

bare

H3205

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

ל֖וֹ14 of 16
H0
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ15 of 16

unto him in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָֽעַן׃16 of 16

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him


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 36:5 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 36:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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