Genesis 36:23

Study note

Setting — The narrator records a genealogical list of Esau’s descendants, specifically detailing the offspring of Shobal within a structured survey of Edomite tribal lines. This entry occurs chronologically between the records for Lotan and Zibeon as the text catalogs Esau’s family branches.

The words — The phrase וְ/אֵ֙לֶּה (ve./'E.leh) literally renders "and these," functioning as a standard genealogical marker to introduce a new lineage. בְּנֵ֣י (be.Nei) translates directly to "sons of," establishing the patriarchal relationship for the five names that follow.

The thread — This exact enumeration of Shobal’s sons appears verbatim in the parallel Edomite genealogy recorded in 1 Chronicles 1:40. The structural pattern of listing tribal leaders and their offspring continues throughout the surrounding verses of Genesis 36.

Why it lands — The text requires the reader to track the documented continuity of generations without adding interpretation or commentary. It asks for recognition of how the narrative establishes tribal identity through unadorned genealogical record.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.