Genesis 36:3
New International Version
also Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

New Living Translation
He also married his cousin Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth.

English Standard Version
and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

Berean Standard Bible
and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

King James Bible
And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

New King James Version
and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

New American Standard Bible
also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

NASB 1995
also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

NASB 1977
also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

Legacy Standard Bible
also Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, the sister of Nebaioth.

Amplified Bible
and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

Christian Standard Bible
and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

American Standard Version
and Basemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

Contemporary English Version
the third was Basemath, who was Ishmael's daughter and Nebaioth's sister.

English Revised Version
and Basemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
also Basemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

Good News Translation
and Basemath, the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

International Standard Version
Ishamael's daughter Basemath (who was Nebaioth's sister).

NET Bible
in addition to Basemath the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

New Heart English Bible
and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Bashemath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

World English Bible
and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Bashemath daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebajoth.

Young's Literal Translation
and Bashemath daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebajoth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Bashemath, daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebajoth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Basemath the daughter of Ismael, sister of Nabajoth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and Basemath, the daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebaioth.

New American Bible
and Basemath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

New Revised Standard Version
and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Bismath, Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebioth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Besmath, daughter of Ishmayl, was the sister of Nebiuth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and Basemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebaioth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and Basemath, daughter of Ismael, sister of Nabaioth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esau's Descendants
2Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, 3 and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. 4And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath gave birth to Reuel,…

Cross References
Genesis 26:34-35
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

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 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 27:46
Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?”

Genesis 28:8-9
And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, / 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 36:12-14
Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah. / These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath. / These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah (daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon) whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Genesis 36:20-21
These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, / Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, the descendants of Seir in the land of Edom.

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, ...

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.

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. ...

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.

Obadiah 1:6
But how Esau will be pillaged, his hidden treasures sought out!

Obadiah 1:8-9
In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau? / Then your mighty men, O Teman, will be terrified, so that everyone in the mountains of Esau will be cut down in the slaughter.

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 Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

Genesis 25:13
And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

Genesis 28:9
Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

Mahalath.

Jump to Previous
Basemath Bas'emath Bashemath Basmath Daughter Ishmael Ishmael's Nebaioth Neba'ioth Nebajoth Sister
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Basemath Bas'emath Bashemath Basmath Daughter Ishmael Ishmael's Nebaioth Neba'ioth Nebajoth Sister
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.














and Basemath
Basemath is one of Esau's wives, and her name means "fragrance" or "perfume." In the context of Genesis, Esau's marriages are significant because they reflect his alliances and relationships with surrounding tribes. Basemath is also mentioned in Genesis 26:34, where she is called "Judith" in some translations, indicating possible variations in names or multiple wives with similar names. Her marriage to Esau highlights the blending of different cultural and familial lines, which was common in ancient times for political and social reasons.

daughter of Ishmael
Basemath being the daughter of Ishmael connects Esau to the lineage of Ishmael, Abraham's son through Hagar. This connection is significant because it ties Esau to the broader Abrahamic family, despite his separation from the covenant line through Isaac and Jacob. Ishmael's descendants were known to be nomadic tribes, and this marriage may have been strategic for Esau, aligning himself with a powerful and established family. This connection also fulfills God's promise to make Ishmael a great nation (Genesis 17:20).

and sister of Nebaioth
Nebaioth is the firstborn son of Ishmael, mentioned in Genesis 25:13. His name means "heights" or "high places," and he is considered the progenitor of the Nabateans, a significant Arab tribe. The mention of Nebaioth emphasizes the importance of familial ties and alliances in the ancient Near East. This relationship further solidifies Esau's integration into the broader network of Abraham's descendants, even as he diverges from the line of promise through Jacob. The Nabateans later became known for their advanced civilization and control of trade routes, including the famous city of Petra.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Basemath
She is one of Esau's wives, specifically mentioned as the daughter of Ishmael. Her name means "fragrance" or "perfume," indicating perhaps a sense of beauty or pleasantness.

2. Ishmael
The first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. Ishmael is considered the ancestor of the Ishmaelites, a significant group in the biblical account.

3. Nebaioth
The firstborn son of Ishmael, making him Basemath's brother. His name is often associated with the Nabateans, a group that later inhabited parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

4. Esau
The elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother to Jacob. Esau is known for selling his birthright to Jacob and later becoming the ancestor of the Edomites.

5. Edom
The region and people descended from Esau. The Edomites often had a contentious relationship with the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Family Dynamics and Decisions
Esau's marriage to Basemath, a daughter of Ishmael, reflects his attempt to align with his family's heritage. This decision can be seen as an effort to gain favor with his parents, showing the importance of family dynamics in decision-making.

Heritage and Identity
The mention of Ishmael and Nebaioth highlights the interconnectedness of biblical families and the significance of heritage in shaping identity. Understanding one's roots can provide insight into personal and communal identity.

Consequences of Choices
Esau's marriages had long-term implications for his descendants, the Edomites. This serves as a reminder that our choices can have lasting effects beyond our immediate circumstances.

Reconciliation and Relationships
The intermarriage between Esau's and Ishmael's families suggests attempts at reconciliation and maintaining relationships within the broader family network. It encourages us to seek peace and unity within our own families and communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 36:3?

2. How does Genesis 36:3 illustrate Esau's family connections and their significance?

3. What can we learn from Esau's marriage choices in Genesis 36:3?

4. How does Genesis 36:3 connect to God's covenant with Abraham's descendants?

5. How should Esau's alliances in Genesis 36:3 influence our relationship decisions today?

6. What does Genesis 36:3 teach about the impact of family on spiritual legacy?

7. Why is Basemath mentioned as Esau's wife in Genesis 36:3?

8. How does Genesis 36:3 fit into the genealogy of Esau?

9. What is the significance of Esau's marriage to Ishmael's daughter in Genesis 36:3?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 36?

11. In Genesis 36:2–3, Esau’s wives differ from those mentioned in Genesis 26:34 and 28:9—why the discrepancy?

12. Is there historical or archaeological evidence supporting the lineage claim of Ishmael (Genesis 16:10-11)?

13. Do the names and alliances in Psalm 83:6-8 reflect actual historical groups, or might they be anachronistic or symbolic references?

14. What became of Ishmael?
What Does Genesis 36:3 Mean
and

• The little conjunction quietly stitches Genesis 36:2 and 3 together, signaling that Esau’s list of wives is continuing.

• It reminds us that Scripture often strings details together to paint a full, literal genealogy (see Genesis 5:1–32; 10:1–32).

• In Esau’s story the word “and” keeps adding names, underscoring how quickly his house multiplies (cf. Genesis 36:6–8).


Basemath

• Her name appears earlier as “Mahalath” when Esau first marries her (Genesis 28:9), showing that a single individual can be known by more than one name—common in patriarchal records (compare Genesis 17:5; 32:28).

• She is listed second here, after Adah and Oholibamah (Genesis 36:2). That order hints at the tension between Canaanite wives and this additional, non-Canaanite wife.

• The text establishes Basemath as part of Esau’s deliberate attempt to align more closely with Abraham’s broader family line rather than the despised Canaanites (Genesis 26:34–35; 27:46).


daughter of Ishmael

• Identifying her father instantly links Esau to Abraham’s other branch, the Ishmaelites (Genesis 25:12–18), rather than the promised Isaac-line.

• Esau’s choice shows a measure of respect for his parents’ displeasure with Canaanite unions (Genesis 28:6–8) while still charting his own independent path.

• The marriage literally fulfills Isaac’s prophecy that Esau would live away from his brother’s blessing yet remain within Abraham’s physical family (Genesis 27:39–40).

• By naming Ishmael, the text underlines that God has kept His word to bless Ishmael with twelve princes (Genesis 17:20) and that these lines remain historically intertwined.


and sister of Nebaioth

• Nebaioth is Ishmael’s firstborn (Genesis 25:13). Mentioning him gives an extra layer of verification—Scripture roots itself in verifiable family ties.

• The phrase signals that Basemath comes from Ishmael’s leading household, not a minor branch, lending status to Esau’s union.

• Later prophets recall Nebaioth’s descendants as pastoral people bringing flocks to Zion (Isaiah 60:7), hinting that Ishmael’s line would eventually bless nations, including Israel.

• By pinning Basemath to Nebaioth, Moses shows the reader that the Edomites (Esau’s line) and Ishmaelites start with shared blood, accounting for future alliances and conflicts (Genesis 37:25–28; Psalm 83:6).


summary

Genesis 36:3 records, “and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter and sister of Nebaioth.” Each phrase piles up concrete, literal facts: Esau adds another wife; her name is Basemath; she is Abraham’s granddaughter through Ishmael; she belongs to the house of Ishmael’s firstborn, Nebaioth. Together these details demonstrate the accuracy of Scripture’s genealogies, explain Esau’s attempt to appease his parents while still going his own way, and lay groundwork for the intertwined histories of Edom, Ishmael, and Israel that unfold throughout the rest of the Bible.

(3) Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.--The Samaritan text reads Mahalath here, and in Genesis 36:4; Genesis 36:10; Genesis 36:17, as in Genesis 28:9. There can be little doubt that Mahalath is the right reading, but the versions, nevertheless, agree with the Masoretic Hebrew text, so that the error must have been of very ancient date. As Mahalath was of a Semitic stock, she would have her own Semitic name, and there would be no double translation of it, as in the case of the daughter of Elon.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and Basemath
בָּשְׂמַ֥ת (bā·śə·maṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1315: Basemath -- 'perfume', a wife of Esau, also a daughter of Solomon

daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of Ishmael
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל (yiš·mā·‘êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3458: Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites

and sister
אֲח֥וֹת (’ă·ḥō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

of Nebaioth.
נְבָיֽוֹת׃ (nə·ḇā·yō·wṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5032: Nebaioth -- oldest son of Ishmael, also his desc


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OT Law: Genesis 36:3 And Basemath Ishmael's daughter sister of Nebaioth (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 36:2
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