Genesis 36:40

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 36:40 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And 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,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And 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,
Genesis 36:40 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 36

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

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 these [are] the names of the dukes [that came] of Esau, etc.] After the regal monarchy ceased, the government in Edom was by dukes, and of these there were two sons, one of which an account has been given of already, who were partly of the race of Seir, and partly of the race of Esau; and who were dukes not by succession, but together, in and over their respective families: and it may be observed, that neither Esau, nor his sons by his two first wives, Eliphaz and Reuel, are called dukes, only his three sons by his last wife; all the rest are his grandsons and sons of the two former, which seems to give some light as to the time when those dukedoms took place; and very probably it was by…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Recapitulation of the dukes according to their residences. Next: Genesis Chapter 37”
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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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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“36:40-43 These chiefs descended from Esau, who was a great and powerful overlord. As father of the Edomites, he ruled over clans and regions, with eleven chiefs descended from him. By separating from Jacob, Esau was beginning to shake Jacob’s yoke from his neck (27:39-40).”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification