Genesis 36:17
New International Version
The sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in Edom; they were grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

New Living Translation
The descendants of Esau’s son Reuel became the leaders of the clans of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Reuel. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Basemath.

English Standard Version
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

Berean Standard Bible
These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

King James Bible
And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

New King James Version
These were the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, and Chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These were the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

New American Standard Bible
And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, and chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

NASB 1995
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

NASB 1977
And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Legacy Standard Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Amplified Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah. These are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.

Christian Standard Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, and chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.

American Standard Version
And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these are the chiefs that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife.

Contemporary English Version
The clans that descended from Esau and Basemath's son Reuel were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

English Revised Version
And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath Esau's wife.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
These were the tribal leaders among the descendants of Esau's son Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the tribal leaders descended from Reuel in Edom. They were the grandsons of Esau's wife Basemath.

Good News Translation
Esau's son Reuel was the ancestor of the following tribes: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were all descendants of Esau's wife Basemath.

International Standard Version
These were the descendants of Esau's son Reuel: tribal leaders Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the tribal leaders who descended from Reuel in the territory of Edom. These were the sons of Esau's wife Basemath.

Majority Standard Bible
These are the sons of Esau?s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Esau?s wife Basemath.

NET Bible
These were the sons of Esau's son Reuel: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Esau's wife Basemath.

New Heart English Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau's wife.

Webster's Bible Translation
And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes, descendants of Reuel, in the land of Edom: these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

World English Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs who came of Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these [are] sons of Reuel son of Esau: Chief Nahath, Chief Zerah, Chief Shammah, Chief Mizzah; these [are] chiefs of Reuel, in the land of Edom; these [are] sons of Bashemath wife of Esau.

Young's Literal Translation
And these are sons of Reuel son of Esau: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah; these are chiefs of Reuel, in the land of Edom; these are sons of Bashemath wife of Esau.

Smith's Literal Translation
And these the sons of Reuel, the son of Esau; chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah: these the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Adam: these the sons of Bashemath, Esau's wife.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And these were the sons of Rahuel, the son of Esau: duke Nahath, duke Zara, duke Samma, duke Meza. And these are the dukes of Rahuel, in the land of Edom: these the sons of Base- math the wife of Esau.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Likewise, these are the sons of Reuel, the son of Esau: leader Nahath, leader Zerah, leader Shammah, leader Mizzah. And these were the leaders of Reuel, in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, the wife of Esau.

New American Bible
These are the sons of Reuel, son of Esau: the clans of Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the clans of Reuel in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Basemath, wife of Esau.

New Revised Standard Version
These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: the clans Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the clans of Reuel in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And these are the sons of Reuel, Esau's son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, and chief Mizzah; these are the chiefs that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bismath, Esau's wife.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And these are the sons of Ruil, son of Esau: Prince Nakhath, Prince Zarakh, Prince Shama, Prince Maza; these are the Princes of Ruil in the land of Adum; these are the sons of Besmath, the wife of Esau.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son: the chief of Nahath, the chief of Zerah, the chief of Shammah, the chief of Mizzah. These are the chiefs that came of Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath Esau's wife.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the sons of Raguel, the son of Esau; chief Nachoth, chief Zare, chief Some, chief Moze. These are the chiefs of Raguel, in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, wife of Esau.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Chiefs of Edom
16Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah. 17These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath. 18These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: Chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. They are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 1:35-37
The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. / The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek. / The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

Genesis 25:13-16
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, / Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. ...

Genesis 28:9
Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.

Genesis 36:1-5
This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom). / Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, / and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. ...

Genesis 36:9-14
This is the account of Esau, the father of the Edomites, in the area of Mount Seir. / These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath. / The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. ...

Genesis 36:40-43
These are the names of Esau’s chiefs, according to their families and regions, by their names: Chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, / Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, / Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, ...

Exodus 15:15
Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed; trembling will seize the leaders of Moab; those who dwell in Canaan will melt away,

Deuteronomy 2:4-5
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession.

Deuteronomy 2:12
The Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land that the LORD gave them as their possession.)

Deuteronomy 2:22
just as He had done for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them. They drove them out and have lived in their place to this day.

1 Chronicles 1:43-54
These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor. His city was named Dinhabah. / When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place. / When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. ...

Jeremiah 49:7-22
Concerning Edom, this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed? / Turn and run! Lie low, O dwellers of Dedan, for I will bring disaster on Esau at the time I punish him. / If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings? Were thieves to come in the night, would they not steal only what they wanted? ...

Ezekiel 25:12-14
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’

Obadiah 1:1-9
This is the vision of Obadiah: This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, “Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!”— / “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised. / The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ ...

Romans 9:10-13
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.

Reuel.

Genesis 36:4,13
And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel; …

1 Chronicles 1:37
The sons of Reuel; Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.

Jump to Previous
Basemath Bas'emath Bashemath Chief Chiefs Children Descendants Descended Duke Dukes Edom Esau's Grandsons Mizzah Nahath Reuel Reu'el Shammah Wife Zerah
Jump to Next
Basemath Bas'emath Bashemath Chief Chiefs Children Descendants Descended Duke Dukes Edom Esau's Grandsons Mizzah Nahath Reuel Reu'el Shammah Wife Zerah
Genesis 36
1. Esau's three wives.
6. His removal to mount Seir.
9. His sons.
15. The dukes which descended of his sons.
20. The sons and dukes of Seir the Horite.
24. Anah finds mules.
31. The kings of Edom.
40. The dukes that descended of Esau.














These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel:
Reuel is one of the sons of Esau, who is also known as Edom. Esau's lineage is significant as it represents the Edomites, a group often in conflict with Israel. Reuel's name means "friend of God," which is notable given the often adversarial relationship between the Edomites and the Israelites. This lineage highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4).

Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah:
The term "chiefs" indicates a tribal or clan leadership structure, common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah are leaders among the Edomites, suggesting a well-organized society. The mention of these chiefs underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Esau that he would become a great nation (Genesis 25:23). Zerah is a name that appears elsewhere in the Bible, including in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:3), though this Zerah is a different individual.

They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom:
The land of Edom is located southeast of Israel, in present-day Jordan. It is a mountainous region, historically known for its wisdom and trade routes. The Edomites' descent from Reuel emphasizes the continuation of Esau's lineage and the establishment of a distinct nation. The Edomites' relationship with Israel is complex, marked by both kinship and conflict, as seen in passages like Numbers 20:14-21.

and they are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath:
Basemath, also known as Adah in some passages, is one of Esau's wives. Her inclusion here highlights the matrilineal aspect of the genealogy, which is less common in biblical records but significant in establishing family ties. The mention of Basemath connects the Edomite chiefs back to Esau, reinforcing the narrative of Esau's descendants as a fulfillment of God's promise to make him a father of nations. This lineage also serves as a reminder of the complex family dynamics between Esau and Jacob, which have broader implications for the history of Israel and Edom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Reuel
A son of Esau, who is the grandson of Isaac and Rebekah. Reuel is a significant figure in the lineage of Esau, representing the continuation of Esau's line through his son.

2. Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah
These are the sons of Reuel, each holding the title of "chief," indicating their leadership roles within the Edomite community. Their mention highlights the establishment and organization of Esau's descendants in Edom.

3. Edom
The land where Esau's descendants settled. It is significant as the territory associated with Esau, also known as Edom, which means "red," reflecting Esau's physical characteristics and the red stew for which he sold his birthright.

4. Basemath
One of Esau's wives, the mother of Reuel. Her inclusion in the genealogy underscores the familial connections and the importance of maternal lineage in the biblical account.

5. Esau
The brother of Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau's descendants, the Edomites, play a significant role in the biblical history of Israel, often as adversaries.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage and Legacy
The genealogies in the Bible, such as the one in Genesis 36, remind us of the importance of family heritage and the impact of our ancestors on our identity and destiny.

Leadership and Responsibility
The mention of chiefs among Esau's descendants highlights the roles of leadership and responsibility within a community. As Christians, we are called to lead with integrity and serve others.

Understanding God's Sovereignty
Despite the conflicts and tensions between Esau's and Jacob's descendants, God's sovereign plan unfolds through history. Trusting in God's sovereignty can bring peace amidst life's uncertainties.

Reconciliation and Forgiveness
The account of Esau and Jacob, and their descendants, serves as a reminder of the need for reconciliation and forgiveness in our relationships, reflecting Christ's teachings.Verse 17. - And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Minah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife (vide on ver. 13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
These
וְאֵ֗לֶּה (wə·’êl·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the sons
בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Esau’s
עֵשָׂ֔ו (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

Reuel:
רְעוּאֵל֙ (rə·‘ū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7467: Reuel -- 'friend of God', Moses' father-in-law, also an Edomite, a Gadite, and a Benjamite

Chiefs
אַלּ֥וּף (’al·lūp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 441: Familiar, a friend, gentle, a bullock, a chieftain

Nahath,
נַ֙חַת֙ (na·ḥaṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5184: Nahath -- an Edomite, also two Israelites

Zerah,
זֶ֔רַח (ze·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2226: Zerah -- three Israelites, also an Edomite, also an Ethiopian

Shammah,
שַׁמָּ֖ה (šam·māh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8048: Shammah -- an Edomite, also several Israelites

and Mizzah.
מִזָּ֑ה (miz·zāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4199: Mizzah

They
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the chiefs
אַלּ֣וּף (’al·lūp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 441: Familiar, a friend, gentle, a bullock, a chieftain

descended from Reuel
רְעוּאֵל֙ (rə·‘ū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7467: Reuel -- 'friend of God', Moses' father-in-law, also an Edomite, a Gadite, and a Benjamite

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Edom,
אֱד֔וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

[and] they
אֵ֕לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the grandsons
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Esau’s
עֵשָֽׂו׃ (‘ê·śāw)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6215: Esau -- oldest son of Isaac

wife
אֵ֥שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

Basemath.
בָשְׂמַ֖ת (ḇā·śə·maṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1315: Basemath -- 'perfume', a wife of Esau, also a daughter of Solomon


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OT Law: Genesis 36:17 These are the sons of Reuel Esau's (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 36:16
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