Genesis 36:14 (KJV)

What does Genesis 36:14 mean?

Genesis 36:14 lists the sons of Aholibamah, who was one of Esau’s wives, naming Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah as her children by Esau. This verse is part of a genealogy, showing the family line that came from Esau through Aholibamah.

Genesis 36 is a record of Esau’s descendants, and verse 14 specifically focuses on Aholibamah’s branch of the family. The verse identifies her as the daughter of Anah, who was the daughter of Zibeon, making clear her lineage. This helps establish the family connections and tribal origins among the people descended from Esau.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 36:14

• אָהֳלִיבָמָה (Aholibamah, H173): This name means “tent of the high place” or “my tent is exalted.” The text highlights her background by naming her father and grandfather, which was important for tracing tribal identity.
• בֵּן (ben, H1121): This word means “son.” The verse uses it to specify the male descendants of Aholibamah by Esau, emphasizing the continuation of Esau’s line through her.
• יָלַד (yalad, H3205): This verb means “to bear” or “to give birth.” The verse uses it to show that Aholibamah was the biological mother of these sons, not just a stepmother or adoptive parent.

Why Genesis 36:14 matters

• This verse clarifies the specific family line of Esau through Aholibamah, which is important for understanding the different groups that came from Esau.
• By naming both Aholibamah’s father and grandfather, the verse stresses the importance of maternal ancestry as well as paternal, which was less common but significant in some genealogies.
• The verse connects to the larger context of Genesis 36, which documents the origins of the Edomite tribes, showing how these groups were related to the Israelites through Esau.