Genesis 36:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 36:22 mean?

Genesis 36:22 lists the sons of Lotan as Hori and Hemam, and also mentions that Lotan had a sister named Timna. This verse is part of a genealogy, recording the family lines descended from Esau’s relatives.

Genesis 36 is a record of the descendants of Esau, focusing here on Lotan, one of the chiefs of the Horites in the land of Seir. The verse simply gives the names of Lotan’s children and his sister, which was important for tracing family connections and leadership roles among the people living in that region.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 36:22

• The word for "children" is בֵּן (ben, H1121), which is often used for "sons" but can also refer to descendants in general. Here, it highlights the direct male lineage from Lotan.
• "Sister" is אֲחוֹת (achot, H269), which specifically means a female sibling. Naming Timna as Lotan’s sister is notable, as women are not always listed in genealogies unless they have particular significance.
• The names "Lotan" (לוֹטָן, Lotan, H3877), "Hori" (חוֹרִי, Hori, H2753), "Hemam" (הֵימָם, Hemam, H1967), and "Timna" (תִּמְנָע, Timna, H8555) are preserved from the original Hebrew, showing the importance of these individuals in the family line.

Why Genesis 36:22 matters

• Mentioning Timna by name, even though she is not a direct ancestor, hints at her later significance in the biblical story, as she becomes the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son.
• Including these names helps establish the connections between Esau’s family and the Horites, showing how different groups in the region were related.
• This verse, as part of the genealogy, helps readers trace the origins of various clans and leaders in the ancient land of Seir, which is important for understanding later events in Israel’s history.