Genesis 36:31

_AND THESE ARE THE KINGS THAT REIGNED IN THE LAND OF EDOM, BEFORE THERE REIGNED ANY KING OVER THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL._ These are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom. This is not meant to indicate that a political revolution had taken place in Edom by the erection of one great consolidated kingdom on the ruins of the simple and primitive distribution of the people into clans. For it is clear, from the preceding, as well as the concluding part of the chapter, that the authority of the kings was co-existent with the rule of the dukes in their respective tribes. In fact, the kingship was not a hereditary, but an elective monarchy (Havernick, 'Historico-Critical Introduction to Pentateuch,' p. 202; Kurtz, 'Hist. of Old Cov.,' 3:, p. 340), analogous to the practice of the large nomad tribes in Arabia which in time of war, or on any great emergency, choose an emir, invested with soverei...

31._These are the kings that reigned, etc _We must keep in memory what we have said a little before, that reprobates are suddenly exalted, that they may immediately fall, like the herb upon the roofs, which is destitute of root, and has a hasty growth, but withers the more quickly. To the two sons of Isaac had been promised the honor that kings should spring from them. The Idumeans first began to reign, and thus the condition of Israel seemed to be inferior. But at length, lapse of time taught how much better it is, by creeping on the ground, to strike the roots deep, than to acquire an extravagant pre-eminence for a moment, which speedily vanishes away. There is, therefore, no reason why the faithful, who slowly pursue their way, should envy the quick children of this world, their rapid succession of delights; since the felicity which the Lord promises them is far more stable, as it is...

Verse Genesis 36:31. _BEFORE THERE REIGNED ANY KING OVER - ISRAEL._] I suppose all the verses, from Genesis 36:31-1 inclusive, have been transferred to this place from 1 Chronicles 1:43-13, as it is not likely they could have been written by Moses; and it is quite possible they might have been, at a very early period, written in the margin of an authentic copy, to make out the regal succession in Edom, prior to the consecration of Saul; which words being afterwards found in the margin of a valuable copy, from which others were transcribed, were supposed by the copyist to be a part of the text, which having been omitted by the mistake of the original writer, had been since added to make up the def...

- Section XII - Jacob - The History of Esau 2. אהלבמה _'ohŏlı̂ybâmâh_, Oholibamah, “tent of the high place.” ענה _‛__ǎnâh_, ‘Anah, “answering.” צבעון _tsı̂b‛ôn_, Tsib‘on, “dyer, colored.” 4. אליפז _'ělı̂yphaz_, Eliphaz, “God of strength.” רעוּאל _r__e__‛û'êl_ Re‘uel, “friend of God.” 5. יעוּשׁ _y__e__‛ûsh_, Je‘ush, “haste.” יעלם _ya‛lâm_, Ja‘lam, “hiding.” קרח _qôrach_ Qorach, “ice.” 11. תימן

§ 10. THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU (CH. 36:1-37:1). EXPOSITION GENESIS 36:1 NOW THESE ARE THE GENERATIONS (cf. Genesis 2:4; Genesis 5:1, c.) OF ESAU,—Hairy (vide Genesis 25:25)—WHICH IS EDOM—Red (_vide _Genesis 25:30). GENESIS 36:2,...

AND THESE [ARE] THE KINGS THAT REIGNED IN THE LAND OF EDOM,.... In the land that was afterwards called the land of Edom; for this laud was not so called when these kings began to reign: for, according to Bishop Cumberland f, and those that follow him g, these were Horite kings, who, after their defeat by Chedorlaomer, Genesis 14:5; in order to secure themselves the better from such a calamity for the future, set up a kingdom, and which appears, by the following account, to be elective; and so Maimonides h observes, that not one of these kings were of Edom: and these were, BEFORE THERE REIGNED ANY KING OVER THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL; and there being no kings over Israel until many years after the times of Moses, hence some have thought these words are inserted by some other writer after him; but there is no need to suppose that; for Moses knew, from foregoing prophecies and pro

KINGS THAT REIGNED IN THE LAND OF EDOM It is characteristic of Scripture that the kings of Edom should be enumerated before the kings of Israel. The principle is stated in (1 Corinthians 15:46). First things are "natural," man's best, and always fail; second things are "spiritual," God's things, and succeed. Adam -- Christ; Cain -- Abel; Cain's posterity -- Seth's posterity; Saul -- David; Israel -- the true Church, etc....

X. THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU _ 1. Esau in Canaan, his wives and sons (Genesis 36:1)_ 2. Esau leaving Canaan and in Edom (Genesis 36:6) XI. THE GENERATIONS OF ESAU IN MOUNT SEIR _ 1. Sons of Esau (Genesis 36:9)_ 2. Sons of Eliphaz (Genesis 36:11) 3. Sons of Reuel (Genesis 36:13) 4. Sons of Aholibamah (Genesis 36:14) 5. Dukes of Eliphaz ...

GENESIS 36. EDOMITE GENEALOGIES, CHIEFTAINS, AND KINGS. This chapter is not a unity but a compilation with a very complicated literary history behind it. There is an element of P in it, but its extent, the degree in which it is a revision of earlier sources, and the allocation of the other matter, is very uncertain. The historical value of the chapter is great, but the genealogies and lists cannot be discussed here. Some points of interest may be mentioned. There is a strange discrepancy as to Esau's wives between Genesis 36:2; Genesis 26:34; Genesis 28:9. The same names largely recur in both lists, but in different relationships. In Genesis 3

Kings of Edom 31. _any king_ From this verse we infer that the writer lived at a time subsequent to the foundation of the Israelite monarchy. The definition, however, of the date is not quite clear in the opinion of some scholars. It is simplest to render, "before there reigned a king for Israel," i.e. before the time of Saul. But it is noteworthy that LXX Cod. A renders, "before there reigned any king in Jerusalem." Dillmann translates "before an Israelite king reigned," i.e. over Edom, referring to the subjugation of the Edomites by David. The tradition shews that Edom had a settled constitution before Israel. In Scriptural terms Esau was "the elder." It is to be observed that the Edomite kings, (1) had different places of residence, (2) were not hereditary kings. Perhaps they may be compared with the local judges of Israel. "The land of Edom" is the whole territory, more extensive tha...