And Esau tooke his wiues, and his sonnes, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattell, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the lande of Canaan: and went into the countrey from the face of his brother Iacob. Genesis 36:6 (KJV)
In this verse we encounter a pivotal moment concerning Esau, the older twin brother of Jacob. To grasp its significance we must briefly recall the background. Esau and Jacob were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah; Esau, as the firstborn, was the rightful heir to the family’s blessings and inheritance. Yet earlier Scripture records that Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:29‑34). Later, when Isaac was old and intended to bless Esau, Jacob, aided by Rebekah, deceived his father and received the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:1‑40). Deeply grieved, Esau harbored resentment toward Jacob and even plotted to kill him (Genesis 27:41).
Genesis 36:6 now describes how Esau, because of the strained relationship with his brother and the pressure of his growing wealth, decided to leave the land of Canaan. The verse records that he took his wives, sons, daughters, servants, cattle, beasts, and all his substance with him. The immediate cause is linked to “their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle” (Genesis 36:7). Thus the relocation marks a clear separation—both physical and geographical—between the two brothers.
This departure also fulfills the prophetic word given to Rebekah during its pregnancy, when the Lord declared that two nations were in her womb and the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). By moving away, Esau begins the formation of his own nation, later identified as the Edomites. The subsequent chapters of Genesis 36 list the genealogy, chiefs, and kings that descended from Esau, providing historical context for the ongoing relationship between the Edomites and Israel throughout Scripture.
Therefore Genesis 36:6 serves as a crucial turning point, signaling the separation of Esau and Jacob and the unfolding of God’s promise concerning their distinct destinies. The narrative underscores broader biblical themes: God’s sovereignty, faithfulness, and the lasting consequences of individual choices for future generations.
