Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
Esau married women from the local Canaanite people: Adah, whose father was Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah, who was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite.
This verse tells us that Esau chose to marry women from the local Canaanite tribes rather than from his own family's lineage.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, chose to marry women from the Canaanite tribes, which were the indigenous people of the land promised to Abraham's descendants. This decision was significant because it went against the preferences of his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, who wanted him to marry within their family or at least not from the Canaanites, as intermarriage could lead to idolatry and dilute the covenant line. Genesis 36 provides a genealogy of Esau, illustrating how his lineage became the Edomites, a nation separate from the Israelites.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.