Genesis 36:12

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 36:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau`s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these are the sons of Adah, Esau`s wife.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau`s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these are the sons of Adah, Esau`s wife.
Genesis 36:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau`s son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these are the sons of Adah, Esau`s wife.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz, Esau’s son, etc.] She is said to be the sister of Lotan, the eldest son of Seir the Horite, (<013622>Genesis 36:22); in (<130136>1 Chronicles 1:36) mention is made of Timna among the sons of Eliphaz, and of Duke Timnah here, (<013640>Genesis 36:40); and Gerundinsis f1605 is of opinion, that Timnah the concubine of Eliphaz, after she had bore Amalek, conceived and bore another son, and she dying in childbirth, he called it by her name to perpetuate her memory: but Jarchi says, that Eliphaz lay with Lotan’s mother, the wife of Seir the Horite, of whom was born Timna, and when she grew up she became his concubine, and so was both his daughter and his…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- 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 re‛û'êl Re‘uel, “friend of God.” 5. יעוּשׁ ye‛ûsh, Je‘ush, “haste.” יעלם ya‛lâm, Ja‘lam, “hiding.” קרח qôrach Qorach, “ice.” 11. תימן têymân, Teman, “right-hand man.” אומר 'ômār, Omar, “eloquent.” צפו tsephô, Tsepho, “watch.” געתם ga‛tâm Ga‘tam, “touch.” קנז qenaz Qenaz, “hunting.” 12. תמנע tı̂mnâ( Timna‘, “restraint.” עמלק ‛ǎmâlêq, ‘Amaleq, “licking up, laboring.” 13. נחת nachath, Nachath, “going down, rest.” זרח zerach, Zerach, “rising”…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification