1 Chronicles 1:36 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 1:36 mean?

1 Chronicles 1:36 lists the sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek. This verse is part of a genealogy that traces the descendants of Esau, showing the family lines that came from him.

The book of 1 Chronicles opens with genealogies, and here the writer is recording the family of Esau, who was Jacob’s brother. Eliphaz is named as one of Esau’s sons, and this verse details Eliphaz’s children. These names would have been familiar to the original readers as the ancestors of various tribes and clans in the region.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 1:36

• אֱלִיפַז (Eliphaz): This name means "God is fine gold" or "God is strength," and he is listed as a son of Esau. His descendants became notable groups or clans.
• תֵּימָן (Teman): Teman is both a person and later the name of a region or clan in Edom, showing how personal names became tribal or geographic identifiers.
• עֲמָלֵק (Amalek): Amalek is significant because his descendants, the Amalekites, became long-standing adversaries of Israel. This connection roots later conflicts in a family history.

Why 1 Chronicles 1:36 matters

• This verse clarifies the origins of several groups that appear throughout the Old Testament, especially the Amalekites and Temanites, helping readers understand later historical and narrative references.
• By listing Timna among the sons, the verse reflects the ancient custom of including certain women in genealogies, which sometimes signals their importance in the wider story.
• The genealogy emphasizes the close relationship between Israel and Edom, as both trace their ancestry back to Isaac, highlighting the intertwined histories of these peoples.