Genesis 36:6

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 36:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the souls of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his possessions, which he had gather in the land of Canaan; and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the souls of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his possessions, which he had gather in the land of Canaan; and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.
Genesis 36:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 36

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the souls of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his possessions, which he had gather in the land of Canaan; and went into a land away from his brother Jacob.

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 Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, etc.] The names of his wives and sons are before given; but what were the names of his daughters, or their number, is not said: and all the persons of his house: his menservants and maidservants that were born in his house, or bought with his money; the word for “persons” signifies “souls” f1596, and is sometimes used for slaves that are bought and sold, (see <262713>Ezekiel 27:13 <661813>Revelation 18:13): and his cattle, and all his beasts; his sheep and oxen, camels and asses: and all his substance which he had got in the land of Canaan: before he went to Seir the first time, part of which he might leave behind in Canaan, with…”
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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
“Esau . . . went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob--literally, "a country," without any certain prospect of a settlement. The design of this historical sketch of Esau and his family is to show how the promise (Gen 27:39-40) was fulfilled. In temporal prosperity he far exceeds his brother; and it is remarkable that, in the overruling providence of God, the vast increase of his worldly substance was the occasion of his leaving Canaan and thus making way for the return of Jacob.”
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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