Genesis 36:31-39 Meaning: Why Edom Had Kings Before Israel
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Edom have kings before Israel? This passage shows God's timing and the fulfillment of His promises.
Context
Genesis 36 gives us a close look at the family of Esau, also called Edom. After listing his sons and grandsons, and the chiefs of the Horites who lived in the land, the chapter suddenly names eight kings. These rulers came one after another, each from a different city or family, before Israel ever had a king. The passage sits like a bookmark, marking the time when Edom was organized and powerful while Jacob's descendants were still slaves in Egypt or wandering in the desert. It raises a quiet question for the reader: if God promised Abraham that kings would come from him, why did Esau's line get there first? The rest of Scripture will show that God's timing was not late, but on purpose.
Key Words
Three words carry the weight of this passage. First, "kings" (melekh in Hebrew). These were not kings like the ones Israel would later have. They came from different towns, suggesting an elective leadership, not a dynasty. Second, "before" (liphnai). It means "in the face of" or "in front of." These kings reigned in the face of Israel's coming kingdom, as if marking the time while God's people were still waiting. Third, "in his place" (tachat). The word literally means "underneath", each king stood in the place of the one who died. It is a humble word, picturing one person stepping into a gap left by another. All three together whisper: human thrones are temporary, but God's promises are not measured by speed. The kings of Edom came and went; the King of Israel would come to stay.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this list of Edomite kings in different ways. John Calvin saw a lesson in patience: the wicked rise quickly, like grass on a rooftop, but they wither faster. The faithful, by contrast, take root slowly but stand for generations. Matthew Henry noted that Esau's descendants became royal long before Jacob's, and he called this a trial to Israel's faith. Wesley agreed, suggesting that God's people must learn to wait when others seem to prosper. Some scholars, like those behind the Cambridge Bible, point out that the writer likely lived after Israel had its own kings, so the list contrasts Edom's early monarchy with Israel's later one. Across these views, a common thread appears: God's timing is not our timing, and His promises hold firm even when the world around us seems to succeed first.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers see this list and think: "God's promise to Abraham must have been weak, because Esau's family had kings while Jacob's did not." In fact, the passage itself says "before any king reigned over the children of Israel." It is a marker of time, not a sign of failure. God had already promised that kings would come from Abraham (Genesis 17:6). The delay was part of His plan to teach Israel dependence, not to break His word.
Living This Out
Imagine you have been working toward a goal for years. A friend starts later but already seems to have what you hoped for. It stings. This passage speaks into that ache. Edom's kings arrived fast, but their names are mostly forgotten. Israel's kings would come slowly, but they would carry a promise that led to the King of Kings. This week, when you feel overlooked, remember that God is not slow. He is laying a foundation you cannot yet see. Your waiting is not wasted. It is being filled with purpose that will last.
Main takeaway: God's promises are not in a hurry. When others rise quickly, trust the slow work of His hand.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
These verses list kings who lived a long time ago. They were like leaders of a country. God's people did not have a king yet, but God had a plan. He always keeps His promises.
For ages 9, 12
You might wonder why God let Esau's family have kings before Jacob's family did. It is a reminder that God's timing is different from ours. He was preparing Israel for something greater. Sometimes we have to wait for good things, but waiting is not a mistake. God is always working.
Questions People Ask
Why is this list of Edomite kings in the Bible?
This list shows that Esau's descendants, the Edomites, had organized kings before Israel. It highlights God's sovereignty over all nations, not just Israel, and it sets the stage for Israel's eventual monarchy. It also reminds readers that God's promises come in His own time.
Did Israel have any kings before Saul?
According to the Bible, Israel did not have a human king until Saul, who was anointed after the time of judges. This passage in Genesis 36:31-39 specifically says 'before any king reigned over the children of Israel,' meaning these Edomite kings came before Israel's monarchy began.
Why don't the sons succeed their fathers in this list?
Most of the Edomite kings mentioned here come from different families and cities. Many commentators believe this indicates an elective monarchy, where leaders were chosen rather than inheriting the throne. This contrasts with the promised dynasty of David in Israel.
How does this passage fit with God's promise that kings would come from Abraham?
God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:6) included 'kings will come from you.' While Edom descended from Abraham through Isaac, the fulfillment of the promise to Israel (Jacob) would come later. Edom's early kings do not invalidate God's covenant; they demonstrate that God works through different nations and times.
What can Christians learn from these verses today?
This passage encourages patience and trust in God's timing. It can be easy to envy those who seem to succeed quickly, but God's plans often unfold slowly. The faithful are called to wait on the Lord, knowing that His promises are sure, even when delayed.
For pastors & researchers
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