Genesis 36:9 Commentary and Bible Study

The history of Esau can be summarised in a single chapter, with what is essentially just a list of names, whereas the history of Judah will cover many chapters and go into much detail. This is significant, because God has little to say about those who do not know him. Many of the men listed in this chapter were great men in the eyes of Edom and of the world, but they will not be called great in the kingdom of heaven. They lacked faith, and they were godless men who may have achieved something in this world, but they will keep none of it for the world to come. Calvin says that although Esau took the precedence over Jacob during his lifetime, it was Jacob who was at the centre of God’s purposes and who became a great nation, while the glory of Edom faded. Isaac had been pressed by Esau to bless him as well as his brother Jacob, and Isaac had given the following prophecy to his son: ‘Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; ⁴⁰ And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck’ (Genesis 27:39-40). That prophecy required that Edom continue and achieve a certain greatness, and this chapter confirms that it did so.One notable entry in the list is Amalek, Esau’s grandson via Eliphaz. Amalek was born to Eliphaz’ concubine, Timna, and his people later paid a terrible role in Israel’s history. Like the Amorites and like Bashan, Amalek came out to fight against Israel as the journeyed to the promised land, but they did so in an extremely cowardly way, attack the rear of the column where the weak and feeble were (Deuteronomy 25:18). Moses commanded Joshua to fight with Amalek, and as long as Moses continued to pray with hand lifted up, Joshua was successful (Exodus 17:8-13). As a result of this shameful attack, Amalek was marked out for judgment by the Lord. He is one of the few individuals who has any comment against his name in this chapter, and accordingly Moses says, ‘Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever’ (Numbers 24:20). Saul was ordered to utterly destroy Amalek but failed to do so (1 Samuel 15:3, 8-9), and for this reason was rejected as king by the Lord (1 Samuel 15:23).