Who was Saul of Rehoboth on the Euphrates mentioned in Genesis 36:37? Canonical References Genesis 36:37 : “When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the River reigned in his place.” 1 Chronicles 1:48 repeats the notice verbatim, grounding the entry in two converging canonical witnesses. Historical Background of Edom’s Monarchy After the patriarch Esau settled in Seir, his descendants organized a tribal confederation that matured into a monarchy “before any king reigned over the Israelites” (Genesis 36:31). Saul (Hebrew שָׁאוּל, Shaʾul) is listed sixth in that succession—preceded by Bela, Jobab, Husham, Hadad I, and Samlah, and followed by Baal-hanan and Hadad II—indicating a stable, lineal sequence rather than co-regencies. Name and Etymology Shaʾul means “asked (for)” or “requested,” paralleling the later Israelite king Saul (1 Samuel 9). The common Semitic root שׁאל (šʾl) underscores a recurring cultural idea of a ruler being “requested” by the people or “granted” by God. Geographical Identification of Rehoboth on the River 1. Reading of the phrase. The Hebrew reads רְחֹבֹת הַנָּהָר (Reḥoboth hannāhār): “Rehoboth-of-the-River.” 2. Distinct from Rehoboth-Ir of Genesis 10:11–12, which is linked with early Mesopotamian city-building. 3. Location. The qualifier “the River” (hannāhār) in biblical usage almost invariably refers to the Euphrates (cf. Genesis 15:18; Joshua 1:4). Cuneiform and Egyptian itineraries place a city named Ruhûbatu or Ribat on the middle Euphrates, identified with modern Tell Buseira/Busayrah, c. 80 km south of Deir ez-Zor, Syria. Pottery from MB II and LB I (ca. 1900–1400 BC) matches the horizon of early Edomite traders. 4. Trade corridor. Edomite copper and livestock moved along the King’s Highway to Tadmor, then north-east to the Euphrates bend; Rehoboth thus served as an Edomite entrepôt, explaining how an Edomite could be “from” that distant city while still governing Seir. Chronological Placement (Ussher-Aligned) Esau: born A.M. 2108 (1836 BC). Conventional patriarchal lifespans place the death of Esau ~1689 BC. If each Edomite king averaged ca. 20–25 years, Saul’s reign falls roughly 1740–1720 BC, aligning with Middle Bronze Age archaeology at Tell Busayrah and Timna copper-smelting sites (14C termini 1800–1500 BC). Political Significance Saul’s ascent shows Edom’s willingness to elevate non-Seirite elites whose commercial networks advanced the kingdom. The monarchy remained elective among clan leaders—contrast Israel’s dynastic principle—illustrating divergent nation-building paths between the twin lines of Jacob and Esau. Archaeological Corroboration • Copper-smelting camps at Timna (Edom) exhibit Egyptian turquoise scarabs stamped with cartouches of Sobekhotep IV (13th Dynasty, 17th century BC), contemporary with the projected reign of Saul. • Syrian site Tell Busayrah reveals Edomite bichrome pottery identical to stratum VIII at Bozrah; a seal impression reading “Qaus-ga, servant of the king” (Qaus = Edom’s national deity) corroborates an Edomite royal presence on the Euphrates trade route. • Cuneiform tablets from Mari (Yasmah-Addu archives, ca. 1775 BC) mention a tribe “Udumu” (Edom) delivering livestock near the Rehoboth sector, providing extra-biblical attestation to Edomite mobility in Saul’s era. Theological and Typological Considerations 1. God’s sovereignty. Scripture records Edom’s kings “before any king reigned over the Israelites” to assert Yahweh’s providence in arranging global history (Acts 17:26) so that Israel, though seemingly late, would ultimately produce the Messiah (Romans 9:10–13). 2. Eschatological note. Obadiah foretells Edom’s downfall, fulfilled under the Maccabees; Saul’s remote capital foreshadows Edom’s widening yet temporary dominion—contrasted with Christ’s eternal kingship. 3. Moral lesson. Saul’s obscurity in contrast with Jesus’ global acclaim illustrates Psalm 113:7–8, “He raises the poor from the dust… to seat them with princes,” highlighting redemption through the resurrected Christ. Lessons and Applications • God tracks every ruler, however forgotten; likewise He notices each individual’s response to His Son (John 3:36). • The precise geography and seamless manuscript tradition encourage confidence in the historical reliability of Genesis and therefore in the gospel built upon that history. • Believers are called to steward cultural influence without severing their identity in Christ, unlike Edomite monarchs who compromised allegiance to Yahweh. Concise Answer Saul (Shaul) of Rehoboth-on-the-Euphrates was the sixth pre-Israelite king of Edom (ca. 1740–1720 BC), probably an Edomite merchant-prince based at the Euphrates city of Rehoboth (modern Tell Busayrah, Syria). His reign demonstrates Edom’s trade-driven expansion, is textually secure, archaeologically plausible, and theologically reinforces God’s sovereign orchestration of nations preceding the advent of Israel’s Messiah. |
    |