“And these are the sons of Reuel Esau’s son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.”
Genesis 36 is a chapter that provides a genealogy of Esau, who is also known as Edom. It lists the descendants of Esau through his various wives and concubines. In this verse, the focus is on the descendants of Esau’s son Reuel.
Reuel’s Sons: The verse mentions four sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These names signify the different branches of Reuel’s lineage. In the Bible, names often carry symbolic meaning or reflect the characteristics of the individuals they represent, but we don’t have specific details about these individuals beyond their names.
Dukes: The term “duke” in this context refers to tribal or clan leaders, indicating their prominence and authority within their respective tribes. These dukes were descendants of Reuel and played significant roles in the land of Edom.
Reuel’s Lineage in Edom: The verse mentions that these dukes were descendants of Reuel in the land of Edom. Edom refers to the region that became the territory of Esau’s descendants, the Edomites. This verse emphasizes the establishment and continuation of Reuel’s lineage within the broader Edomite community.
Bashemath: The verse concludes by noting that Bashemath was Esau’s wife and the mother of these sons. Bashemath, also known as Basemath, was the daughter of Ishmael and one of Esau’s wives. This verse emphasizes her role as the mother of Reuel’s descendants, further establishing their place within the Edomite lineage.
Overall, Genesis 36:17 provides a brief account of the descendants of Reuel, Esau’s son, highlighting their prominence as dukes within the Edomite community. This verse contributes to the genealogical narrative in Genesis and helps establish the historical and ancestral roots of the Edomites, who were a neighboring people to the Israelites.
