21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chieftains of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam; Lotan's sister was Timna. 23 The sons of Shobal were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. 24 The sons of Zibeon were Aiah and Anah - this is the same Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness while herding his father Zibeon's donkeys. 25 The children of Anah were Dishon and his daughter Oholibamah. 26 The sons of Dishon were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. 27 The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 And these were the Horite chieftains: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 30 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan - the Horite chieftains clan by clan in the land of Seir.
31 And these are the kings who ruled in Edom before there was a king in Israel: 32 Bela son of Beor was the king of Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah. 33 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah became the next king. 34 When Jobab died, he was followed by Hushan from the land of the Temanites. 35 When Hushan died, he was followed by Hadad son of Bedad; he was the king who defeated the Midianites in Moab; the name of his city was Avith. 36 When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah became the next king. 37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth-on-the-River became king. 38 When Shaul died, he was followed by Baal-Hanan son of Acbor. 39 When Baal-Hanan son of Acbor died, Hadad became king; the name of his city was Pau; his wife's name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-Zahab. 40 And these are the chieftains from the line of Esau, clan by clan, region by region: Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 41 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 42 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 36:21-42
Chapter Contents
Esau and his descendants.
The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the covenant get the start. We may suppose it a trial to the faith of God's Israel, to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God, must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, Luke 16:25; while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession.