Genesis 36:4 (KJV)

What does Genesis 36:4 mean?

Genesis 36:4 records that Esau had two sons by two different wives: Adah gave birth to Eliphaz, and Bashemath gave birth to Reuel. This verse is part of a genealogy listing Esau’s descendants, showing the family lines that came from him.

Genesis 36:4 is found in a section where the writer is listing the children of Esau, who was Jacob’s brother and Isaac’s son. The verse simply states who the mothers and sons are, helping to trace the family tree of Esau. This genealogy is important for understanding the origins of the Edomite people, who play a role later in the Bible.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 36:4

• בָּרָה (bare, H3205): This Hebrew verb means "to give birth" or "to bear." Its use here emphasizes the direct biological relationship between the mothers (Adah and Bashemath) and their sons (Eliphaz and Reuel), making the genealogy precise.
• אֱלִיפַז (Eliphaz, H464): The name Eliphaz means "my God is fine gold" or "God is strength." Naming the son specifically connects him to later stories, as Eliphaz becomes a significant ancestor of the Edomites.
• רְעוּאֵל (Reuel, H7467): The name Reuel means "friend of God." Including his name in the genealogy highlights another branch of Esau’s descendants.

Why Genesis 36:4 matters

• Genesis 36:4 clarifies the maternal lines of Esau’s children, which is important because different wives led to different family branches and tribal groups.
• This verse helps set up the broader genealogy of the Edomites, showing how various clans and leaders descended from Esau, which becomes relevant in later biblical history.
• By naming both mothers and sons, Genesis 36:4 emphasizes the importance of family heritage and lineage in the biblical narrative, especially in the context of ancient Israel’s neighbors.