Chapter 36

36:1  Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.

Edom

Edom (called also "Seir,") Genesis 32:3 ; 36:8 is the name of the country lying south of the ancient kingdom of Judah, and extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Akaba. It includes the ruins of Petra, and is bounded on the north by Moab. Peopled by descendants of Esau Genesis 36:1-9 . Edom has a remarkable prominence in the prophetic word as (together with Moab) the scene of the final destruction of Gentile world-power in the day of the Lord. See "Armageddon" ; Revelation 16:14 ; Revelation 19:21 and "Times of the Gentiles" ; Luke 21:24 ; Revelation 16:14 . Cf. ; Psalms 137:7 ; Obadiah 1:8-16 ; Isaiah 34:1-8 ; 63:1-6 ; Jeremiah 49:14-22 ; Ezekiel 25:12-14 .

36:12  And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.

Amalek

(See Scofield "Exodus 17:8") .

36:20  These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,

Horite

Lit. Rock dweller.

36:31  And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.

kings that reigned in the land of Edom

It is characteristic of Scripture that the kings of Edom should be enumerated before the kings of Israel. The principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:46 . First things are "natural," man's best, and always fail; second things are "spiritual," God's things, and succeed. Adam--Christ; Cain--Abel; Cain's posterity--Seth's posterity; Saul--David; Israel--the true Church, etc.