Home Page

Genesis 36

Genesis 36 is a departure from the previous chapters.  This chapter focuses on the genealogy of Esau.  While it can be very interesting to look at these genealogies in detail, we are going to limit ourselves to a few questions.

1.      What is the significance of recording a genealogy?

Why do you think God included Esau’s genealogy?

2.     What other name was given to Esau?

What does it mean?

What can you learn about the Edomites?  (See Numbers 20:14-21; 2 Samuel 8:11-13; 1 Kings 11:14-22.  Can you find other references?)

3.     Verse 5 tells us that Esau’s sons were born in Canaan (the Promised Land), but he took them to another land.  Jacob’s sons were born outside Canaan, but Jacob brought them back.  What can we learn from this?  (See Matthew 21:28-31.)

4.     According to verses 6 and 7, why did Esau separate himself and his family from his brother Jacob?

5.     What does verse 31 tell us?

Why do you think the Bible lists the kings of Edom?

Why do you think we are told that they were kings before any Israelite king reigned?