Genesis 36:6 Commentary and Bible Study

Here we are told something which explains why when Jacob returned from Padanaram Esau was then located in Mount Seir (Genesis 32:3). Esau had taken or was about to take his family from Canaan to Mount Seir, well to the south of the Dead Sea in what is now Jordan. Esau had come to accept the inheritance had gone to Jacob and nothing could change this, for his father’s blessing was not to be reversed. This decision seems to have been accompanied by a reduction in his hostility to Jacob as seen in the way he greeted his brother on his return. Esau like Jacob had increased enormously in wealth, and even before he knew about the size of Jacob’s flocks and herds, he must have understood that all that Isaac possessed would be going to Jacob. If it was difficult for Esau and Isaac to dwell together with their livestock, then the same would be true when Jacob finally returned. Esau is described as going from the face of his brother, but this expression could be used in anticipation of Jacob’s return. It may be however that Esau had not yet taken all that he possessed to Seir at the time Jacob returned, and subsequently moved all that he had away from Canaan. Their wealth must have very considerable for this to be necessary. Verse 8 tells us that this move explains the origin of the nation of Edmon – the name comes from Esau who was also called Edom.Regardless of the timing of this move, God put it into Esau’s heart to make room for Jacob and to accept his sovereign choice to give Jacob the promised seed. Again we see that God is able to subdue our enemies in the most unlikely of situations, humanly speaking, so that his promises come to pass.