Oholibamah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, primarily within the genealogies and narratives concerning the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. Her account is intertwined with the history of the Edomites, a people descended from Esau, and she is noted for her role as one of Esau's wives.

Name and Meaning

The name Oholibamah is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is often interpreted as "tent of the high place" or "my tent is in the high place." This name may reflect a connection to a place of worship or a significant location, possibly indicating her noble or elevated status.

Biblical References

Oholibamah is first introduced in Genesis 36, which details the genealogy of Esau, also known as Edom. She is identified as one of Esau's wives and is mentioned alongside his other wives, Adah and Basemath. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following account:

· Genesis 36:2-3 : "Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth."

Oholibamah is further mentioned in the context of Esau's descendants:

· Genesis 36:14 : "These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah, daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon, whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah."

Family and Lineage

Oholibamah is described as the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite. Her marriage to Esau signifies a union between Esau and the Canaanite tribes, which is a point of interest in the biblical narrative, as it contrasts with the marriages of Jacob, who sought wives from his own kin.

Through her marriage to Esau, Oholibamah bore three sons: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These sons are listed among the chiefs of Edom, indicating their prominence and leadership within the Edomite community. The descendants of Esau, including those through Oholibamah, played a significant role in the development of the Edomite nation, which had a complex relationship with the Israelites throughout biblical history.

Cultural and Historical Context

The mention of Oholibamah and her lineage provides insight into the intermarriage practices of the time and the alliances formed between different tribes and peoples. Her Hivite heritage and marriage into Esau's family highlight the diverse cultural interactions in the ancient Near East.

Oholibamah's account, while brief, is part of the larger narrative of Esau's descendants and their establishment as a distinct people group. The Edomites, as descendants of Esau, are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in relation to their interactions and conflicts with the Israelites.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, Oholibamah's inclusion in the biblical record underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Esau, as a son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, contributes to this promise through his descendants, including those through Oholibamah.

Oholibamah's account also serves as a reminder of the complexities of family dynamics and the far-reaching impact of individual choices within the biblical narrative. Her marriage to Esau and the resulting lineage illustrate the unfolding of God's providential plan through diverse and sometimes unexpected means.OHOLIBAMAH

o-hol-i-ba'-ma, o-hol-i-ba'-ma ('oholibhamah, "tent of the high place"):

(1) One of Esau's wives, and a daughter of Anah the Hivite (Genesis 36:2, 5). It is strange that she is not named along with Esau's other wives in either Genesis 28:9 or 26:30. Various explanations have been given, but none of them is satisfactory. There is probably some error in the text.

(2) An Edomite chief (Genesis 36:41 1 Chronicles 1:52).

173. Oholibamah -- "tent of the high place," wife of Esau, also an ...
... Oholibamah. 174 . ... Word Origin from ohel and bamah Definition "tent of the high
place," wife of Esau, also an Edomite leader NASB Word Usage Oholibamah (8). ...
/hebrew/173.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxvi
... 28:9 the Ishmaelite wife was described as "Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael."
Apparently, then, Judith must be identified with Oholibamah, Basemath with Adah ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

Oholibamah (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia OHOLIBAMAH. ... (2) An Edomite chief (Genesis 36:41
1 Chronicles 1:52). Multi-Version Concordance Oholibamah (7 Occurrences). ...
/o/oholibamah.htm - 9k

Oholiba'mah (7 Occurrences)
Oholiba'mah. Oholibamah, Oholiba'mah. Oil . Multi-Version Concordance ... Genesis
36:5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. ...
/o/oholiba'mah.htm - 8k

Jalam (4 Occurrences)
... see HPN, 90, note 5; King James Version Jaalam): In Genesis 36:5, 14, 18 1 Chronicles
1:35, a son of Esau, mentioned as the 2nd son by Oholibamah; probably an ...
/j/jalam.htm - 8k

Anah (10 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter
of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of ...
/a/anah.htm - 13k

Je'ush (9 Occurrences)
... Je'ush (9 Occurrences). Genesis 36:5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These
are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan. (See RSV). ...
/j/je'ush.htm - 8k

Jeush (9 Occurrences)
... Jeush (9 Occurrences). Genesis 36:5 Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These
are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan. ...
/j/jeush.htm - 11k

Esau's (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:2 Esau's wives were women of Canaan: Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite,
and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite ...
/e/esau's.htm - 10k

Adah (8 Occurrences)
... mother of Eliphaz. In this chapter Esau's other wives are Oholibamah,
a Hivite, and Basemath the daughter of Ishmael. The names ...
/a/adah.htm - 10k

Zibeon (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:2 Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter
of Elon, the Hittite; and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of ...
/z/zibeon.htm - 9k

Zib'eon (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:2 Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of
Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon ...
/z/zib'eon.htm - 8k

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