Genesis 36:4

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 36:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Basemath bare Reuel;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Basemath bare Reuel;
Genesis 36:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Basemath bare Reuel;

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 Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz, etc.] This son of Esau, according to Jerom f1595, is the same with him mentioned in the book of Job, as one of his friends that came to visit him, (<180211>Job 2:11); and so says the Targum of Jonathan on (<013610>Genesis 36:10); but he rather was the grandson of this man, since he is called the Temanite: and Bashemath bare Reuel; the name is the same with Reuel or Raguel, the name of Jethro; but cannot be the same person as is said by some, for he was a Midianite and not an Edomite, (<020218>Exodus 2:18 <041029>Numbers 10:29).”
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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