Genesis 36:38

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 36:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

Genesis 36:38 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.

35And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

36And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

37And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead.

38And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

39And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife`s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

40And these are the names of the chiefs that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,

41chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

← Genesis 36:37 Genesis 36:39 →

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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 Saul died, etc.] About A. M. 2325; and Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead: whose name, inverted, is observed by Grotius to be the same with Hannibal; it signifies a gracious lord or king.”

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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

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Sources and verification

Scripture text: American Standard Version (1901), public domain.
Historical commentary excerpts are attributed to the named author and work shown above.
Last text and source check: 20 August 2026