Bible Discussion Thread

This chapter gives the lineage of Esau. It says that he left Canaan (the promised land) to live in Seir. There was are mountains there that stretch from the southeast of the dead sea to the gulf of Aqaba. Seir means hairy, so it was named after Esau. His lands were called Edom and he was renamed "Edom" in scriptures, too. Edom means "red" as Esau was known to be hairy and red all over. (perhaps with red hair).

The remainder of the chapter recounts the sons born to Esau from is three wives and also is sons' sons. They were called "dukes" (princes or chieftans). Esau's lineage was the ruling class of this area which was inhabited by other groups when Esau moved there. It does not say how Esau became so powerful over the inhabitants, but perhaps having so many sons and grandsons factored into this.