Genesis 36:31-39 · Bible study

Genesis 36:31-39 Commentary: Edom's Kings Before Israel's Monarchy

Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say

Meaning in one sentence

Study of the list of Edomite kings before Israel had a king, exploring why Esau's descendants established a monarchy first and how this fits God's promises.

Research Summary

Meaning: God allowed Edom to establish a monarchy before Israel, showing His sovereignty over nations and testing Israel’s faith.
Key words: kings (H4428), reigned (H4427), before (H6440), died (H4191), Edom (H0123).
Main debate: Is this list a later insertion (Clarke) or original to Moses? Most conservative commentators accept it as Mosaic history.
Theological theme: God’s timing is perfect; earthly kingdoms are temporary; the true kingship belongs to God’s chosen people.
Best use: To teach patience and trust in God’s promises when circumstances seem contrary.

Translation Comparison

BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020

³¹These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites:

³²Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah.

³³When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.

³⁴When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

³⁵When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith.

³⁶When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.

³⁷When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place.

³⁸When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place.

³⁹When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

WEB World English Bible 2000

³¹These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.

³²Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah.

³³Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place.

³⁴Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

³⁵Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

³⁶Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

³⁷Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place.

³⁸Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

³⁹Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

KJV King James Version 1769

³¹And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

³²And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

³³And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

³⁴And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.

³⁵And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

³⁶And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

³⁷And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.

³⁸And Saul died, and Baal–hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

³⁹And Baal–hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

ASV American Standard Version 1901

³¹And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

³²And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

³³And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

³⁴And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.

³⁵And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.

³⁶And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

³⁷And Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his stead.

³⁸And Shaul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

³⁹And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898

³¹And these are the kings who have reigned in the land of Edom before the reigning of a king over the sons of Israel.

³²And Bela son of Beor reigneth in Edom, and the name of his city is Dinhabah;

³³and Bela dieth, and reign in his stead doth Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah;

³⁴and Jobab dieth, and reign in his stead doth Husham from the land of the Temanite.

³⁵And Husham dieth, and reign in his stead doth Hadad son of Bedad (who smiteth Midian in the field of Moab), and the name of his city is Avith;

³⁶and Hadad dieth, and reign in his stead doth Samlah of Masrekah;

³⁷and Samlah dieth, and reign in his stead doth Saul from Rehoboth of the River;

³⁸and Saul dieth, and reign in his stead doth Baal-hanan son of Achbor;

³⁹and Baal-hanan son of Achbor dieth, and reign in his stead doth Hadar, and the name of his city is Pau; and his wife's name is Mehetabel daughter of Matred, daughter of Me-zahab.

Darby Darby Bible 1890

³¹And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom before there reigned a king over the children of Israel.

³²And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

³³And Bela died; and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.

³⁴And Jobab died; and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his stead.

³⁵And Husham died; and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the fields of Moab, reigned in his stead. And the name of his city was Avith.

³⁶And Hadad died; and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.

³⁷And Samlah died; and Saul of Rehoboth on the river reigned in his stead.

³⁸And Saul died; and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.

³⁹And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died; and Hadar reigned in his stead; and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred daughter of Mezahab.

Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899

³¹And the kings that ruled in the land of Edom, before the children of Israel had a king, were these:

³²Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city Denaba.

³³And Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zara, of Bosra, reigned in his stead.

³⁴And when Jobab was dead, Husam, of the land of the Themanites, reigned in his stead.

³⁵And after his death, Adad, the son of Badad, reigned in his stead, who defeated the Madianites in the country of Boab; and the name of his city was Avith.

³⁶And when Adad was dead, there reigned in his stead, Semla, of Masreca.

³⁷And he being dead, Saul, of the river Rohoboth, reigned in his stead.

³⁸And when he also was dead, Balanan, the son of Achobor, succeeded to the kingdom.

³⁹This man also being dead, Adar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Phau: and his wife was called Meetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezaab.

Verse in Context

29 These are the chiefs who came of the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah,

30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel.

32 Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah.

33 Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place.

34 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

35 Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith.

36 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place.

38 Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

39 Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

40 These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth,

41 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,

Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)

Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Genesis 36:31

וְ/אֵ֙לֶּה֙ ve./'E.leh H0428 and/ these

הַ/מְּלָכִ֔ים ha./me.la.Khim H4428 [were] the/ kings

אֲשֶׁ֥ר 'a.Sher H0834 who

מָלְכ֖וּ mal.Khu H4427 they reigned

בְּ/אֶ֣רֶץ be./'E.retz H0776 in/ [the] land of

אֱד֑וֹם 'e.Dom H0123 Edom

לִ/פְנֵ֥י li/f.Nei H6440 <to>/ before

מְלָךְ\־ me.lokh- H4427 reigned

מֶ֖לֶךְ Me.lekh H4428 a king

לִ/בְנֵ֥י li/v.Nei H1121 of/ [the] people of

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל\׃ Yis.ra.'El H3478 Israel

Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.

Scholars' Consensus

Commentators across traditions generally agree that this list of eight Edomite kings serves two main purposes: it provides an authentic historical record of Edom’s early monarchy, and it offers a theological counterpoint to Israel’s experience. Calvin saw in it a pattern where “reprobates are suddenly exalted, that they may immediately fall,” teaching that worldly prominence does not equal divine blessing. Matthew Henry observes that Edom had kings “long before any of Jacob's did,” which tested the patriarchs’ descendants while they were slaves in Egypt. Keil and Delitzsch point out that no son succeeds his father, suggesting an elective kingship chosen by the phylarchs. The repeated formula “X died, and Y reigned in his place” reinforces this non-dynastic succession. Adam Clarke and some others propose the list was inserted later from 1 Chronicles 1, but most traditional commentators accept it as part of the Mosaic record. The overarching point is that God’s promises to Abraham about kings (Gen 17:6, 16) came to pass in His own time, not Edom’s.

How settled is the interpretation?

Interpretive difficulty: Medium

Main views:

Historical record: The list is accepted as an accurate account of Edom’s early monarchy, preserved to document Esau’s lineage and show God’s sovereignty over nations.
Source-critical insertion: Adam Clarke and others argue the verses were added later from 1 Chronicles 1:43-50, noting that Moses could not have written about kings after Israel’s monarchy unless prophetically.
Theological symbolism: Calvin and Matthew Henry focus on the didactic purpose: Edom’s temporary kingship contrasts with God’s enduring kingdom, teaching patience and faith.

What is clear: That Edom had established kings before Israel had any king, and that this fact is recorded to highlight God’s timing and the difference between human and divine rule.

What Scholars Agree and Debate

Topic	Agreed	Debated
Historicity of the list	The list is an authentic record of Edomite kings before Israel's monarchy.	Some (Clarke) think it was inserted from 1 Chronicles; others believe Moses wrote it prophetically.
Nature of Edomite kingship	The kings did not pass the throne to their sons.	Was it truly elective (Keil & Delitzsch) or a series of strongmen? The data suggests election by phylarchs.
Theological significance	Edom's early kingship contrasts with Israel's later monarchy.	Is this a sign of judgment (Calvin: reprobates exalted briefly) or a test of faith (Matthew Henry)? Both views appear.
Identity of the last king (Hadar/Hadad)	The last king is likely Hadad, with Hadar as a variant (1 Chr 1:50).	Some identify him with the Hadad of 1 Kings 11, but most reject this due to chronological distance.

Historical & Cultural Context

Edom, the territory south of the Dead Sea, was originally held by Horite tribes (Gen 36:20-30). Esau’s descendants intermarried with them and eventually gained control. The list of eight kings in this passage comes after the genealogy of Esau and before the account of Jacob’s family settling in Canaan. The phrase “before any king reigned over the children of Israel” places this record in a specific period, likely after Israel’s monarchy began, as the Cambridge Bible notes, implying a later editor or Moses writing prophetically.

The kings all come from different cities and families, suggesting an elective or phylarchic system rather than hereditary succession. Keil and Delitzsch argue this is supported by the fact that “in the case of the last the statement that ‘he died’ is wanting,” possibly marking the end of the monarchy. The one historical note, Hadad “who struck Midian in the field of Moab”, shows Edom’s military strength and may connect with Moses’ time, since Midianites were active then (Num 22). The mention of “Rehoboth by the River” (likely the Euphrates) indicates some Edomite kings exercised influence far beyond their core territory.

This passage directly follows the promise to Jacob in Gen 35:11 that “kings shall come out of your loins.” That Edom had kings first would have tested the faith of Israel while they were oppressed in Egypt. Yet the elective nature of Edom’s kings, none passing the throne to a son, contrasts with the enduring Davidic dynasty promised to Israel. The record also anticipates Israel’s later conflict with Edom, as seen in Numbers 20:14-21 when Moses seeks passage and is refused.

Textual Notes

The passage has close parallels in 1 Chronicles 1:43-50 with minor variations: the last king’s name is Hadad in Chronicles vs. Hadar here, and the city is Pai vs. Pau. Some Hebrew manuscripts and the LXX read “Hadad” in Gen 36:39, suggesting a scribal variant. The Cambridge Bible notes that “Hadar” is probably a copyist’s error. No other significant textual variants appear in the consulted sources.

Reception History

In Christian reception, this passage has often been read as a lesson in God’s timing. Calvin used it to teach that worldly success is fleeting and that the faithful should not envy the rapid rise of the ungodly. Matthew Henry saw it as a trial for Israel’s patience. Some Jewish interpreters contrasted Edom’s elective kings with the Davidic covenant, emphasizing God’s sovereign choice. In later tradition, the list’s placement at the end of Esau’s genealogy was seen as closing the account of the non-elect line before focusing on Jacob’s story. The passage continues to challenge readers to trust God’s promises even when others seem to receive blessings first.

Preaching This Verse

Three-point outline

God’s promises are sure, but they unfold on His timetable. Edom’s early monarchy did not invalidate the word given to Abraham; it simply preceded Israel’s fulfillment.
Earthly kingdoms rise and fall; the kingdom of God endures. Edom’s elective kings came and went without dynasty, while God’s chosen line through Judah would last.
The means of succession matter. Human election placed kings on Edom’s throne; divine election established Israel’s kings through covenant.

Five-point outline

Edom’s early monarchy: a testimony to human ambition and God’s permissive will.
The absence of dynastic succession: a sign of instability and impermanence.
The one military note (Hadad’s victory): worldly strength is recorded but not celebrated.
The phrase “before any king reigned over Israel”: a perspective check for those who feel left behind.
The abrupt ending (no “he died” for Hadar): an unfinished story that points to the finality of Edom’s kingdom.

Illustration hooks

A talented classmate who succeeds early in career but later fades while the steady student grows.
Waiting for a promised promotion while others leap ahead through connections.
The difference between being elected by popularity (Edom) versus being chosen by grace (Israel’s kings).

Questions your congregation is asking

Why did God allow Edom to have kings before His chosen people?
Does this passage suggest Edom’s kings were illegitimate or judged?
How should we respond when unbelievers seem to prosper before believers?

Leading a Discussion

This list of Edomite kings seems dry at first, but it raises deep questions about God’s timing and the difference between human and divine kingdoms. As you study, consider how God kept His promise to Abraham even when it looked like Edom was ahead.

Discussion questions

What do you notice about the pattern of kings in this list? (Observation)
Why do you think the writer included the phrase “before any king reigned over the children of Israel”? (Interpretation)
How does this passage connect to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 17:6? (Connection)
In what ways does Edom’s elective monarchy contrast with the eventual Davidic line? (Comparison)
What might this passage teach us about waiting for God’s timing? (Application)
How does knowing that Edom’s kings came and went affect your view of earthly power? (Application)
How can this passage encourage Christians who feel overlooked or delayed in God’s plans? (Personal)

What the Commentators Say

10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.

Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826

Clarke argues that verses 31-39 were not written by Moses but were later added from the margin of an early copy, likely transferred from 1 Chronicles to complete the Edomite king list. He explains how scribes sometimes incorporated marginal notes into the main text during copying.

Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564

Calvin sees Edom's early kings as a warning, not a blessing. Like grass sprouting on a rooftop, the wicked rise quickly but wither fast. The faithful should not envy this flashy success, because God's promise gives a far more lasting inheritance.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges points out that the list of Edomite kings implies the author wrote after Israel had its own monarchy. Edom already had a settled kingdom before Israel, and these kings came from different towns and did not pass the throne to their sons, resembling Israel’s local judges.

Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599

The Geneva notes draw attention to the timing: Edom had a line of kings ruling before Israel ever had one. This contrast underscores that God's people did not receive their monarchy by human ambition or timing, but waited for His appointed moment.

Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748

Gill argues these were not Edomite kings but Horite rulers who set up an elective monarchy after Chedorlaomer defeated them. He rejects claims that Moses could not have written this passage, noting Moses knew from prophecy that Israel would have kings and was himself called king in Jeshurun.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871

JFB observes that Edom's kingship did not arise from the collapse of its earlier tribal leadership but coexisted alongside those dukedoms. Both forms of authority operated simultaneously, not sequentially.

Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876

Keil and Delitzsch argue that Edom’s monarchy was elective rather than hereditary, noting that no son succeeded his father and all rulers came from different families. They identify the final king, Hadar, as the contemporary of Moses who denied Israel passage, suggesting the list records pre-Mosaic leaders rather than a continuous dynastic line ending before Saul’s reign.

Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857

Lange treats this genealogy as a deliberate literary boundary marking Esau’s exit from Israel’s theocratic history into secular tribal records. He argues the text preserves these details not as strict chronology but as parallel tables showing how Edomite princes and kings coexisted with aboriginal Horites through subjugation rather than total erasure.

Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710

Henry highlights the ironic timing: Edom had established kings, chosen by election rather than heredity, long before any king ruled over Israel. God had promised Jacob that kings would descend from him, yet Esau's line gained royal power first, a humbling reminder that divine promises often unfold slowly.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754

Wesley observes that Esau's descendants gained royal power long before any of Jacob's line did, which tested Israel's faith while they were still slaves in Egypt. He stresses that those expecting great things from God must learn to wait for His timing. The later shift to rule by dukes may have been a providential correction for Edom's unkindness to Israel.

Word Study

The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.

אֱדוֹם e.dom Edom H0123 · Hebrew → אֵ֫לֶּה el.leh these H0428 · Hebrew → אֶ֫רֶץ e.rets land: country/planet H0776 · Hebrew → אֲשֶׁר a.sher which; in which; whence; as which H0834 · Hebrew → בֵּן ben son: child; Beno; son: descendant/people; son: young animal; son: type of; son H1121 · Hebrew → יִשְׂרָאֵל yis.ra.el Israel H3478 · Hebrew → מָלַךְ ma.lakh to reign; to advise H4427 · Hebrew → מֶ֫לֶךְ me.lekh king H4428 · Hebrew → פָּנֶה pa.neh face: before H6440 · Hebrew →

Cross-References

Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)

Genesis 17:6	I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you.
Genesis 17:16	I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her.”
Genesis 25:23	Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”
Numbers 20:14	Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “Your brother Israel says: You know all the travail that has happened to us;
Numbers 24:17	I see him, but not now. I see him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter will rise out of Israel, and shall strike through the corners of Moab, and crush all the sons of Sheth.
Numbers 24:18	Edom shall be a possession. Seir, his enemy, also shall be a possession, while Israel does valiantly.
Deuteronomy 17:14	When you have come to the land which Yahweh your God gives you, and possess it and dwell in it, and say, “I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,”
Deuteronomy 17:20	that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn away from the commandment to the right hand, or to the left, to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the middle of Israel.

Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.

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