King James Version

What Does Genesis 36:6 Mean?

Genesis 36:6 in the King James Version says “And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his ... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 36:6 · KJV


Context

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.

8

Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his ... 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. How should this truth about Edomite Kings shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיִּקַּ֣ח1 of 30

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

עֵשָׂ֡ו2 of 30

And Esau

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אֶת3 of 30
H853

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

נָ֠שָׁיו4 of 30

his wives

H802

a woman

וְאֶת5 of 30
H853

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

בָּנָ֣יו6 of 30

and his 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

וְאֶת7 of 30
H853

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

בְּנֹתָיו֮8 of 30

and his daughters

H1323

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

וְאֶת9 of 30
H853

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

כָּל10 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נַפְשׁ֣וֹת11 of 30

and all the persons

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בֵּיתוֹ֒12 of 30

of his house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְאֶת13 of 30
H853

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

מִקְנֵ֣הוּ14 of 30

and his cattle

H4735

something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition

וְאֶת15 of 30
H853

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

כָּל16 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּהֶמְתּ֗וֹ17 of 30

and all his beasts

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וְאֵת֙18 of 30
H853

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

כָּל19 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

קִנְיָנ֔וֹ20 of 30

and all his substance

H7075

creation, i.e., (concretely) creatures; also acquisition, purchase, wealth

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 30
H834

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

רָכַ֖שׁ22 of 30

which he had got

H7408

to lay up, i.e., collect

אֶ֔רֶץ23 of 30

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנָ֑עַן24 of 30

of Canaan

H3667

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

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ25 of 30
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל26 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֔רֶץ27 of 30

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִפְּנֵ֖י28 of 30

from the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יַֽעֲקֹ֥ב29 of 30

Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אָחִֽיו׃30 of 30

of his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])


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 36:6 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 36:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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