| Geneva Study Bible Now these are {a} the generations of Esau, who is Edom. (a) This genealogy declares that Esau was blessed physically and that his father's blessing took place in worldly things. Wesley's Notes 36:1 Who is Edom - That name perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish bargain he made, when he sold his birth - right for that red pottage. Scofield Reference Notes [1] Edom Edom (called also "Seir,") Gen 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 Gen 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" Rev 16:14 Rev 19:21 and "Times of the Gentiles" Lk 21:24 Rev 16:14. Cf. Ps 137:7 Obad 1:8-16 Isa 34:1-8 63:1-6 Jer 49:14-22 Ezek 25:12-14. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary CHAPTER 36 Ge 36:1-43. Posterity of Esau. 1. these are the generations-history of the leading men and events (compare Ge 2:4). Esau who is Edom-A name applied to him in reference to the peculiar color of his skin at birth [Ge 25:25], rendered more significant by his inordinate craving for the red pottage [Ge 25:30], and also by the fierce sanguinary character of his descendants (compare Eze 25:12; Ob 10). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 36:1-43 Esau and his descendants. - The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the covenant get the start. We may suppose it a trial to the faith of God's Israel, to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God, must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, Lu 16:25; while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession. | 
