What is the meaning of Genesis 36:4?

And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau

“Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau.” — Genesis 36:4a

• Adah, “daughter of Elon the Hittite” (Genesis 36:2), is a Canaanite wife of Esau. While Isaac and Rebekah grieved over Esau’s Canaanite marriages (Genesis 26:34–35), the verse still records God’s granting of offspring, underscoring His faithfulness to the natural order He set in place (Genesis 1:28).

• Eliphaz becomes the firstborn of Esau and the forefather of several Edomite chiefs (Genesis 36:11–12, 15–16; 1 Chronicles 1:35–36).

• Through Eliphaz’s line comes Teman, later famous for wisdom (Jeremiah 49:7), and Amalek, progenitor of Israel’s persistent foe (Exodus 17:8–16). The Lord’s sovereignty is evident: even those outside the covenant line of Jacob fulfill larger redemptive purposes.

• Eliphaz the Temanite who conversed with Job (Job 2:11) is likely a descendant, showing that this genealogical note anchors later biblical events in real history.

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Basemath gave birth to Reuel

“Basemath gave birth to Reuel.” — Genesis 36:4b

• Basemath is “daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth” (Genesis 28:9; 36:3), linking Esau to Abraham’s other lineage through Ishmael. By marrying her, Esau tried—however imperfectly—to align himself with kin his parents might approve, yet he still stepped outside God’s chosen line.

• Reuel, Esau’s second-listed son, fathers four Edomite clans: “Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah” (Genesis 36:13; 1 Chronicles 1:37). Their later appearance when Israel requests passage through Edom (Numbers 20:14–21) affirms the literal continuity of the text.

• The name Reuel (“friend of God”) reminds readers that God’s common grace extends beyond Israel. Esau’s house, though not heir to the covenant of promise (Genesis 25:23), still experiences God’s bounty, fulfilling the pledge that Abraham would be “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4–6).

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summary

Genesis 36:4 is a simple genealogical notice, yet it testifies that God’s Word records literal people who shaped real nations. Adah’s son Eliphaz and Basemath’s son Reuel establish two branches of the Edomites, illustrating both God’s provision to Esau and His overarching plan that even those outside the covenant line serve His redemptive purposes in history.