What is the meaning of Genesis 36:25? These are “These are the children of Anah…” (Genesis 36:25). • The verse opens with a simple declaration, inviting us to pause and recognize God’s inspired record of a real family line. Other passages where the wording “these are” introduces genealogies—such as Genesis 10:1 and 1 Chronicles 1:29—remind us that Scripture values precise historical detail. • By listing names, God shows the fulfillment of His promise that nations would spring from Abraham’s wider family (Genesis 17:4-6; cf. Genesis 25:23). the children of Anah • Anah, already noted in Genesis 36:24 as the man who “found hot springs in the wilderness,” is singled out among Seir’s descendants (Genesis 36:20-21). His offspring form a distinct branch of the Edomite chiefs (Genesis 36:29-30). • Mentioning “children” underscores fruitfulness even outside the covenant line. God’s common grace allows Edom to flourish alongside Israel (Deuteronomy 2:12; Acts 17:26). • Recording Edomite genealogy supplies context for later interactions—peaceful and hostile—between Edom and Israel (Numbers 20:14-21; Obadiah 1-4). Dishon and Oholibamah • The verse immediately names the siblings: “Dishon and Oholibamah…” The pairing appears again in Genesis 36:28-29 and 1 Chronicles 1:41-42, confirming their historicity. • Dishon becomes an Edomite chief (Genesis 36:29), while Oholibamah, though not called a chief, gains prominence by marriage (Genesis 36:2) and through her sons (Genesis 36:14). • Their inclusion attests that every individual—male or female—plays a part in God’s unfolding story (Ruth 4:11-12; Luke 3:23-38). daughter of Anah • Repeating “daughter of Anah” clarifies that Oholibamah is biologically Anah’s child, not just a clan member. Scripture often re-states relationships for accuracy (Genesis 46:15; Numbers 26:59). • This phrase guards against confusion with the earlier Oholibamah, who is Esau’s Hittite wife and also called “daughter of Anah” (Genesis 36:2). The duplication shows how names can recur within related families, much like modern time-honored family names. • By spotlighting a daughter, God again affirms women’s significance in genealogies (cf. Genesis 24:60; Exodus 2:4). summary Genesis 36:25 faithfully records two offspring of Anah—Dishon and his sister Oholibamah—anchoring the Edomite lineage in real history. The verse confirms God’s precise preservation of family lines, highlights His sovereign blessing of nations beyond Israel, and underscores the value He places on both sons and daughters in His redemptive narrative. |
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