Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse subtly highlights that Esau's wives are not from the chosen lineage of Abraham but from the Canaanites, the very people God had declared His people should not intermarry with. This choice, detailed with specific ancestral names like Elon the Hittite and Zibeon the Hivite, marks a significant divergence from his brother Jacob's path and foreshadows the complex relationship between their descendants.
Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage details Esau's family and his decision to move away from his brother Jacob. It explains that Esau married Canaanite women, listing two of his wives: Adah, daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah, daughter of Anah. The narrative then shifts to describe Esau gathering his family, possessions, and moving to Mount Seir due to the abundance of their wealth, which made it impossible for them to live together.
Why does the Bible seem to list different names for Esau's wives? It's more than just a clerical error; it reveals something profound about God's purposes.
The Complexity of Identity
It's fascinating how the Bible presents Esau's wives with varying names across different passages. For instance, Adah is also called Bashemath, and Aholibamah is linked to Judith and Bathshemath.
Esau’s choice of wives wasn't just a personal decision; it had lasting implications for his relationship with God and his brother Jacob.
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The Significance of Canaanite Wives
The text specifies that Esau married wives "from the daughters of Canaan." This is a significant detail, especially when contrasted with Abraham's instruction to Isaac to find a wife from their own people (Genesis 24:3-4).
Understand the original words
Kena'ani · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A term describing the indigenous inhabitants of the land of Canaan, often used to refer to the various tribes and peoples living there who were typically characterized by pagan practices during the time of the patriarchs.
Hitti · Hebrew Noun
A major ethnic group inhabiting the land of Canaan during the biblical period, known for their powerful presence and interactions with the patriarchs as recorded in the historical narratives.
Hiwwi · Hebrew Noun
A people group mentioned among the inhabitants of the land of Canaan, known as one of the groups occupying the territory before the Israelites took possession of the land.
Esau's marriages to Canaanite women, a departure from his father's instructions, highlight his contrasting path with Jacob's and foreshadow the eventual separation and distinct destinies of their descendants.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham and Isaac's Covenant Marriages
Abraham instructs his servant to find a wife for Isaac from his relatives in Mesopotamia, not from the Canaanites. Isaac himself later warns Esau against marrying Canaanite women.
c. 1760 BC
Esau's First Canaanite Marriages
At age 40, Esau marries Judith, daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath, daughter of Elon the Hittite. Rebekah grieves over these marriages.
c. 1742 BC
Jacob Flees to Paddan-aram
After stealing Esau's blessing, Jacob flees to his uncle Laban's home. This marks a significant separation between the brothers and their lines.
c. 1740 BC
Esau Marries into Ishmael's Family
Seeking to appease his parents, Esau marries Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth, in addition to his Canaanite wives.
c. 1724 BC
Jacob Returns to Canaan
After 20 years, Jacob returns to Canaan, a wealthy man with a large family, setting the stage for renewed interaction and eventual separation from Esau.
c. 1716 BC— this verse
Esau Moves to Mount Seir
Due to vast possessions and inability to dwell together, Esau moves his household, including his wives and children, from Canaan to the hill country of Seir.
This passage introduces Esau's first marriages, highlighting the complexity of naming and lineage that continues into Genesis 36.
Genesis 28:9This verse shows Esau attempting to appease his parents by taking another wife, this time from Ishmael's line, providing context for his later marriages mentioned in Genesis 36.
Genesis 36:6-7These verses explain Esau's move to Mount Seir due to his growing wealth and inability to coexist with Jacob, setting the stage for the genealogical list that includes his wives.
Genesis 36:15-19This passage details the 'dukes' or chieftains descended from Esau's sons through these wives, showing the immediate impact of these unions on the formation of the Edomite nation.
Romans 9:13This New Testament passage directly quotes Malachi's affirmation that 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,' contrasting the destinies of the brothers whose diverging paths begin with choices like Esau's marriages.
calvinGenesis 36:1-43: "Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom."
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
Et accepit Esau uxores suas, et filios suos, et filias suas, et omnes animas domus suae, et pecudes suas, et omnia jumenta sua, et omnem acquisitionem suam, quam acquis…
pooleGenesis 36:2: "Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;"
If this account be compared with that Genesis 26:34 , we shall find some difficulties, which yet admit of an easy reconciliation, if these things be considered. 1. That it is very usual, and confessed by all, that the same persons are oft called by several names. 2. That the names of some persons are in Scripture given to o…
The verse subtly highlights that Esau's wives are not from the chosen lineage of Abraham but from the Canaanites, the very people God had declared His people should not intermarry with. This choice, detailed with specific ancestral names like Elon the Hittite and Zibeon the Hivite, marks a significant divergence from his brother Jacob's path and foreshadows the complex relationship between their descendants.
This passage details Esau's family and his decision to move away from his brother Jacob. It explains that Esau married Canaanite women, listing two of his wives: Adah, daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah, daughter of Anah. The narrative then shifts to describe Esau gathering his family, possessions, and moving to Mount Seir due to the abundance of their wealth, which made it impossible for them to live together.
This passage details Esau's family and his decision to move away from his brother Jacob. It explains that Esau married Canaanite women, listing two of his wives: Adah, daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah, daughter of Anah. The narrative then shifts to describe Esau gathering his family, possessions, and moving to Mount Seir due to the abundance of their wealth, which made it impossible for them to live together.
"Esau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite," — The verse subtly highlights that Esau's wives are not from the chosen lineage of Abraham but from the Canaanites, the very people God had declared His people should not intermarry with. This choice,…
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Last reviewed October 2026