Korah: A Son of Esau
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Korah is a biblical figure mentioned in the genealogies of Esau, the brother of Jacob, who is also known as Israel. Esau is a significant patriarchal figure in the Old Testament, and his descendants are often referred to as Edomites. Korah is one of the sons of Esau, and his lineage is briefly outlined in the Book of Genesis.

Genealogy and Family Background

Korah is listed as a son of Esau through his wife Oholibamah. The genealogical record in Genesis 36 provides insight into Esau's family and the establishment of the Edomite tribes. Genesis 36:5 states, "And Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan." This passage highlights Korah as one of the three sons born to Esau and Oholibamah, indicating his role in the expansion of Esau's lineage.

Further in Genesis 36:14 , the text reiterates, "These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, Jalam, and Korah." This repetition underscores the importance of these figures in the genealogical record, as they are identified as chiefs, or leaders, within the Edomite community.

Role and Significance

Korah, as a descendant of Esau, is part of the broader narrative of the Edomites, who play a significant role in the history of Israel. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, often had a contentious relationship with the Israelites, descendants of Jacob. This tension is rooted in the fraternal conflict between Esau and Jacob, which is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.

While Korah himself is not a central figure in biblical narratives beyond the genealogical listings, his inclusion in the lineage of Esau signifies the continuation of Esau's line and the establishment of the Edomite tribes. The Edomites are frequently mentioned in the context of their interactions and conflicts with the Israelites, and Korah's lineage contributes to the understanding of these historical and familial dynamics.

Cultural and Historical Context

The genealogies in Genesis serve not only as records of ancestry but also as frameworks for understanding the relationships between different peoples and nations in the biblical world. The mention of Korah and his brothers as chiefs suggests a level of authority and leadership within the Edomite community. This leadership role is indicative of the structured tribal society that characterized the ancient Near East.

The Edomites, as descendants of Esau, occupied the region south of the Dead Sea, known as Edom. This area was strategically significant, and the Edomites' interactions with neighboring nations, including Israel, are documented throughout the Old Testament. The genealogical records, including the mention of Korah, provide a foundation for understanding these interactions and the historical context of the biblical narrative.

Conclusion

Korah, as a son of Esau, represents a link in the genealogical chain that connects the patriarchal narratives of Genesis to the broader history of the Israelite and Edomite peoples. His mention in the genealogies underscores the importance of family lineage in the biblical text and highlights the complex relationships between the descendants of Esau and Jacob.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 36:5,14,18
And Aholibamah bore Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born to him in the land of Canaan.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Chapter xxxvi
... first-born of Esau: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, chief Korah,
chief Gatam ... And these are the sons of Reuel, the son of Esau: chief Nahath ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... "And thou, son of man ... Ishmael mocked at Isaac; Esau was full of wrath with Jacob,
and ... Afterwards, in like manner, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rose up against Moses ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... Absalom, David's son, [17]4, [18]5; type of Judas the ... Core, or Korah, [231]132,
[232]140, [233]155, [234 ... Edom, or "earthly," [314]244; name for Esau, [315]631. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

Epistle Lxxii. To Jubaianus, Concerning the Baptism of Heretics.
... For Korah, Dathan, and Abiram endeavoured to usurp, in ... God the Father, nor Christ
the Son, nor the ... Holy Scripture declares when, in Genesis, Esau thence lost ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxii to jubaianus concerning.htm

The Pentateuch.
... to Ishmael, ch.25:12-18; to Esau, the whole ... Shem one hundred years before the birth
of his son. ... of the punishment of the Sabbath-breaker, Korah's rebellion and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xix the pentateuch.htm

Matt. xii. 9, 10
... all the people were amazed, saying, Is not this the Son of David? ... mouth, to receive
yet living, and utterly destroy, Dathan, and Korah, and Abiram ... Whence Esau? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xl matt xii 9.htm

The Ministerial Office
... This, the office of Priest, we find Esau inherited by ... offered himself to serve them
as a son in the ... Ye did not then, like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, "seek the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 115 the ministerial office.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... Him, and the earth opened her mouth and Korah and his ... star to herald the incarnation
of His Son-the star ... decree and bestow the blessing upon Esau, his efforts ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... And Moses said to Korah: "Hear me, ye sons of Levi ... Esau by taking his ease lost the
blessing of the first ... The mother loved her son, but preferred that he should ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... not come nigh unto him' (Psalm 32:6). Esau AFTERWARDS is ... Well, but mark the answer
of God, 'Son of man ... Thus he cut down Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, when he made ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Resources
Who was Eleazar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Numbers | GotQuestions.org

Who are the authors of the book of Psalms? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Korah

Korah: A Korhite Levite

Korah: A Son of Esau

Korah: Jealous of Moses, Leads Two-Hundred and Fifty Princes in an Insurrection

Korah: Son of Hebron

Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites

Korah: Son of Kohath, and Head of the Family of Sacred Musicians Among the Levites To

Related Terms

Korah's (4 Occurrences)

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

Dathan (8 Occurrences)

Followers (37 Occurrences)

Maschil (26 Occurrences)

Korahites (7 Occurrences)

Musician (112 Occurrences)

Je'ush (9 Occurrences)

Jalam (4 Occurrences)

Jeush (9 Occurrences)

Jaalam (4 Occurrences)

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)

Maskil (13 Occurrences)

Choirmaster (55 Occurrences)

Assir (5 Occurrences)

Abi'ram (8 Occurrences)

Sons (2429 Occurrences)

Music-maker (55 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Nepheg (4 Occurrences)

Oholiba'mah (7 Occurrences)

Oholibamah (7 Occurrences)

Izhar (10 Occurrences)

Contemplation (11 Occurrences)

Alamoth (4 Occurrences)

Aholibamah (7 Occurrences)

Amminadab (14 Occurrences)

Overseer (84 Occurrences)

Psalm (213 Occurrences)

Korhites (4 Occurrences)

Instruction (117 Occurrences)

Dwellings (54 Occurrences)

Band (150 Occurrences)

Korahite (3 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Overtook (35 Occurrences)

Leannoth (2 Occurrences)

Gittith (6 Occurrences)

Ezrahite (5 Occurrences)

Esau's (13 Occurrences)

Ebiasaph (4 Occurrences)

Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)

Ebi'asaph (3 Occurrences)

Eliab (20 Occurrences)

Duke (14 Occurrences)

Dukes (14 Occurrences)

Mahalath (6 Occurrences)

Core (1 Occurrence)

Chiefs (227 Occurrences)

Abiasaph (1 Occurrence)

Anah (10 Occurrences)

Openeth (48 Occurrences)

Swallowed (43 Occurrences)

Swalloweth (10 Occurrences)

Numbers (136 Occurrences)

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)

Tune (15 Occurrences)

To-morrow (52 Occurrences)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Kohath (30 Occurrences)

Tomorrow (57 Occurrences)

Psalms (44 Occurrences)

Loves (97 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Reuben (73 Occurrences)

Levi (79 Occurrences)

Assembled (186 Occurrences)

Flowing (123 Occurrences)

Heman (17 Occurrences)

Priests (451 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Doorway (221 Occurrences)

Morrow (113 Occurrences)

Tents (284 Occurrences)

Descendants (326 Occurrences)

14700 (1 Occurrence)

Virgins (33 Occurrences)

Zicri (11 Occurrences)

Korah: A Korhite Levite
Top of Page
Top of Page