In the context of the Bible, the term "duke" is primarily found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Genesis. The Berean Standard Bible uses the term "chief" instead of "duke," which is derived from the Hebrew word "אלוף" (alluph). This term is used to describe leaders or chieftains of tribes, particularly among the descendants of Esau, also known as Edom.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 36:15-19 : This passage lists the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The term "chief" is used to denote the leaders of various clans within the Edomite nation. The text states: "These are the chiefs among the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Adah."

2. Genesis 36:40-43 : Further enumeration of the chiefs of Esau is provided, emphasizing the structure and organization of the Edomite tribes. The passage reads: "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, Magdiel, and Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. (This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.)"

Historical and Cultural Context:

The use of the term "duke" or "chief" in the Bible reflects the tribal and familial leadership structures common in the ancient Near East. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were organized into clans, each led by a chief. This system of governance was typical among nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples, where leadership was often based on familial lines and tribal affiliations.

The Edomites, living in the region south of the Dead Sea, were closely related to the Israelites, as Esau was the brother of Jacob (Israel). Despite this kinship, the relationship between the two nations was often marked by conflict and tension, as seen in various biblical narratives.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of dukes or chiefs among the Edomites serves to highlight the fulfillment of God's promises and the unfolding of His plans through the generations. The genealogies and lists of chiefs underscore the historical reality of these peoples and their interactions with the Israelites.

The structure of leadership among the Edomites also provides insight into the broader biblical theme of authority and governance. While the Edomites were not part of the covenant community of Israel, their organized leadership reflects the common grace of God in establishing order among all nations.

Conclusion:

The term "duke" in the Bible, as translated in older versions, corresponds to the concept of a tribal chief or leader. The biblical references to the dukes of Edom offer a glimpse into the social and political organization of Esau's descendants and serve as a reminder of the complex relationships between the nations surrounding Israel.Derived from the Latin dux, meaning "a leader;" Arabic, "a sheik." This word is used to denote the phylarch or chief of a tribe (Genesis 36:15-43; Exodus 15:15; 1 Chronicles 1:51-54). 1. (n.) A leader; a chief; a prince.

2. (n.) In England, one of the highest order of nobility after princes and princesses of the royal blood and the four archbishops of England and Ireland.

3. (n.) In some European countries, a sovereign prince, without the title of king.

4. (v. i.) To play the duke.

DUKE

duk: The rendering in the King James Version in Genesis 36:15; Exodus 15:15, and 1 Chronicles 1:51 of 'alluph (the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version, margin "chief"), and in Joshua 13:21 of necikhim ("dukes," the Revised Version (British and American) "princes"). It occurs also, as the rendering of strategos, in 1 Maccabees 10:65 (the Revised Version (British and American) "captain"). Elsewhere necikhim is translated "princes" or "principal men." The fact that with two exceptions the term is applied in English Versions of the Bible only to the chiefs of Edom has led to the impression that in the family of Esau the chiefs bore a special and hereditary title. But 'alluph was a general term for tribal chief or prince (compare Zechariah 9:7; Zechariah 12:5, 6; the Revised Version (British and American) "chieftains," the King James Version "governors").

Moreover, at the time the King James Version was made the word "duke" was not used as a title in England: the term had the same general force as dux, the word employed in the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) So Sir T. Elyot (died 1546) speaks of "Hannibal, duke of Carthage" (The Governor, II, 233); Shakespeare, Henry V, III, 2, 20, "Be merciful, great duke, to men of mould" (compare Midsummer Night's Dream, I, 1, 21); Sylvester (1591) Du Bartas, "The great Duke, that in dreadful aw upon Mt. Horeb learned the eternal law." In a still earlier age Wycliff uses the word of the Messiah (Matthew 2:6); and in Select Works, III, 137, "Jesus Christ, duke of oure batel."

Yet in all probability the Hebrew word was more specific than "chief" or "duke" in the broad sense. For if 'alluph is derived from 'eleph, "thousand," "tribe," the term would mean the leader of a clan, a "chiliarch" (compare Septuagint, Zechariah 9:7; Zechariah 12:5, 6). the American Standard Revised Version has eliminated the word "duke." See CHIEF.

J. R. Van Pelt

441. alluwph -- tame
... alluwph. 441a . tame. Transliteration: alluwph Phonetic Spelling: (al-loof') Short
Definition: captain. captain, duke, chief friend, governor, guide, ox ...
/hebrew/441.htm - 5k

5257. nciyk -- a libation, molten image
... nciyk. 5257a . a libation, molten image. Transliteration: nciyk Phonetic Spelling:
(nes-eek') Short Definition: offering. drink offering, duke, principal ...
/hebrew/5257.htm - 5k

Ode on the Installation of the Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of ...
... ODE ON THE INSTALLATION OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, CHANCELLOR OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, 1862 {303}. Hence a while, severer ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/ode on the installation of.htm

Letter Lvii to the Duke and Duchess of Lorraine
... LETTER LVII To the Duke and Duchess of Lorraine. To the Duke and Duchess
of Lorraine [87] He thanks them for having hitherto remitted ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter lvii to the duke.htm

Of Artemius the Duke. Of Publia the Deaconess and Her Divine ...
... Book III. Chapter XIV."Of Artemius the Duke. Of Publia the Deaconess and her
divine boldness. Artemius [640] commanded the troops in Egypt. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xiv of artemius the duke.htm

Epistle xxiii. To Hospito, Duke of the Barbaricini .
... Epistle XXIII. To Hospito, Duke of the Barbaricini . To Hospito, Duke of the
Barbaricini [1542] . Gregory to Hospito, &c. ... 24) being the duke of the island. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxiii to hospito duke.htm

Epistle xxiv. To Zabardas, Duke of Sardinia.
... Register of the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great. Epistle XXIV. To Zabardas,
Duke of Sardinia. To Zabardas, Duke of Sardinia. Gregory to Zabardas, &c. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxiv to zabardas duke.htm

Epistle Xlviii. To Theodorus, Duke of Sardinia.
... Register of the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great. Epistle XLVIII. To Theodorus,
Duke of Sardinia. To Theodorus, Duke of Sardinia. Gregory to Theodorus, &c. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlviii to theodorus duke.htm

Duke Street. LM The Majesty of God.
... 8 Duke Street. LM The Majesty of God. The Majesty of God. (7) Come, oh, my soul,
in sacred lays, Attempt thy great Creator's praise; But oh! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/8 duke street l m the.htm

Epistle Lviii. To Arsicinus Duke, the Clergy, Nobility, and Common ...
... Epistle LVIII. To Arsicinus Duke, the Clergy, Nobility, and Common People
(ordini et plebi) of the City of Ariminum. To Arsicinus ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lviii to arsicinus duke.htm

Humbly Inscribed to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, one of his ...
... HUMBLY INSCRIBED TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL
SECRETARIES OF STATE. cFatis contraria fata rependens."Virg. NIGHT NINTH. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/humbly inscribed to his grace.htm

Appendix B: Forgery Procured by Mary of Guise
... But it is necessary to state the following facts as tending to show that the Regent
was capable of procuring a forgery against the Duke of Chatelherault. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/appendix b forgery procured by.htm

Duke (14 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) In some European countries, a sovereign prince, without the title of king.
4. (vi) To play the duke. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DUKE. ...
/d/duke.htm - 13k

Dukes (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:15 These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn
son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz, (KJV WBS). ...
/d/dukes.htm - 10k

Aholibamah (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:18 And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke
Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter ...
/a/aholibamah.htm - 9k

Timnah (12 Occurrences)
... (2.) A city in the mountains of Judah (Joshua 15:57)= Tibna near Jeba'. (3.) A
"duke" or sheik of Edom (Genesis 36:40). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TIMNAH ...
/t/timnah.htm - 13k

Bashemath (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:17 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 ...
/b/bashemath.htm - 10k

Descendants (326 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:16 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes, descendants
of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom: these were the sons of Adah. (WBS). ...
/d/descendants.htm - 35k

Jaalam (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:18 And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke
Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter ...
/j/jaalam.htm - 7k

Dug (45 Occurrences)

/d/dug.htm - 20k

Zephi (1 Occurrence)
... ZEPHI; ZEPHO. ze'-fi, ze'-fo (tsephi, perhaps "gaze," or "gazing," in 1 Chronicles
1:36; tspho, the same meaning in Genesis 36:11, 15): A duke of Edom. ...
/z/zephi.htm - 7k

Zepho (3 Occurrences)
... ZEPHI; ZEPHO. ze'-fi, ze'-fo (tsephi, perhaps "gaze," or "gazing," in 1 Chronicles
1:36; tspho, the same meaning in Genesis 36:11, 15): A duke of Edom. ...
/z/zepho.htm - 8k

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