Genesis 36:6-7
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What's striking here is how Esau's departure isn't just about packing up; it's an act of immense physical accumulation. He gathers everything he's acquired—all his wives, children, household members, livestock, and property—before leaving, highlighting the sheer scale of his material wealth, which ultimately makes cohabitation with Jacob impossible. This isn't merely a man moving; it's a massive migration driven by abundance that forces a separation.
Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage marks a significant separation between Esau and Jacob, detailing Esau's departure from Canaan with his entire household and possessions. It occurs after Isaac's death and is presented as a consequence of their combined wealth, which made it impossible for them to continue living together in the same land. This move to a separate territory ultimately fulfills the prophetic blessing given to Esau by Isaac, positioning him and his descendants as a distinct nation.
Why did Esau leave the land of Canaan, the land promised to his descendants? It wasn't just his own choice.
Esau's departure from Canaan isn't simply a personal decision driven by his own desires. The text highlights God's powerful hand at work, orchestrating events to fulfill His promises.
Beyond Human Intentions
While Esau had his reasons – the country being suited for hunting, his wives' inclinations, and a desire for more space due to his great wealth – the ultimate reason for his leaving was divine providence. God used Esau's circumstances and even his potentially selfish motivations to clear the way for Jacob and his lineage to possess the promised land. This shows God's sovereign control over all events, even those that seem driven by human choice or circumstance.
Clearing the Path for Promise
Esau's departure, in essence, makes way for Jacob to receive and inhabit the land of Canaan. This isn't about Jacob forcing Esau out, but about God's intricate plan ensuring that the covenant promises would be secured. Even when human actions seem disconnected or even contrary to God's ultimate purpose, His overarching plan moves forward.
Esau left Canaan because of his 'riches' and 'substance.' What does this tell us about how possessions can shape our lives?
The abundance of Esau's possessions, along with Jacob's, created a practical problem: the land could no longer support them both comfortably. This situation, driven by material wealth, became a catalyst for Esau's move.
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More Than Enough to Dwell Together
The commentary points out that their riches were 'more than that they might dwell together.' This wasn't just about having a lot of stuff; it was about the practical implications of that wealth. Livestock require vast amounts of land for grazing, and as both brothers prospered, the shared space in Canaan became strained.
Possessions Dictating Location
Esau's decision to move to Mount Seir was heavily influenced by his acquired wealth ('all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan'). His material possessions directly impacted where he could live and how he managed his household. This serves as a reminder that our possessions can have a profound influence on our life's direction and the decisions we make.
Understand the original words
ish · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew term denoting a man, often used to refer to a husband, a person of status, or simply a member of the human race. In legal and genealogical contexts, it designates a specific male individual.
rekush · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the dwelling place or landed property belonging to an individual or family; in a biblical context, it often implies the tangible wealth and assets accumulated through labor or inheritance, subject to God's blessing.
qanah · Hebrew Verb
To acquire, gain, or possess; often used to describe the act of gathering wealth, property, or offspring, acknowledging that such increase is ultimately granted by God.
Kena'an · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the land promised to Abraham and his descendants; culturally and theologically, it is the center of the covenantal inheritance and the place where God’s people were called to dwell.
megurim · Hebrew Noun
A state of temporary residence or pilgrimage in a land that is not one's permanent home; it emphasizes the believer's status as a stranger or sojourner while on earth, awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises.
This move by Esau wasn't just a physical separation; it was a divinely orchestrated step ensuring that the land promised to Abraham's lineage would remain secure for Jacob, fulfilling God's plan despite human choices.
c. 1800-1700 BC
Isaac and Rebekah's sons mature
Esau and Jacob grow up in Canaan, with Esau pursuing hunting and Jacob living in tents. Their differing natures become apparent.
c. 1770 BC
Esau sells his birthright
Esau, returning from the field famished, sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew, forfeiting his privileged status.
c. 1760 BC
Jacob obtains the patriarchal blessing
Through deception, Jacob receives Isaac's blessing, intended for Esau, further straining their relationship and prompting Esau's anger.
c. 1760 BC
Esau's initial departure to Mount Seir
Fearing Jacob's vengeance after the deception, Esau moves from Canaan to the mountainous region of Seir, establishing his own domain.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Isaac's death and estate division
Upon Isaac's death, the family estate is formally divided between the brothers. Esau collects all his accumulated wealth and possessions from Canaan.
c. 1750 BC
Esau's final move to Edom
With his wealth and family, Esau permanently relocates to Mount Seir, now recognized as Edom, making way for Jacob and his descendants in Canaan.
This passage speaks of 'the son born according to the flesh' persecuting 'the son born according to the Spirit,' echoing the long-standing tension and eventual separation between Esau and Jacob, the progenitors of two distinct peoples.
Romans 9:13Quoting Malachi, this verse directly addresses the theological significance of Esau's lineage, stating 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,' highlighting the divine election that set Jacob apart for a specific purpose, even as Esau's prosperity is acknowledged.
Malachi 1:2-3This prophetic passage explicitly contrasts God's love for Jacob with His hatred for Esau, using the descendants of Esau (Edom) as an example of a people God rejected, even as they prospered geographically.
Genesis 27:41This verse records Esau's bitter prophecy of his intent to kill Jacob after Jacob received the blessing, providing the deep-seated motivation for Esau's eventual desire to be separate from his brother.
Deuteronomy 2:4-5God instructs the Israelites to pass through the territory of Esau's descendants without conflict, indicating Esau's people had established their own distinct domain, which Esau is now solidifying by leaving Canaan.
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…
clarkeGenesis 36:6: "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."
Esau took his wives, etc. - So it appears that Esau and Jacob dwelt together in Canaan, whither the former removed from Seir, probably soon after the return of Jacob. That they were on the most friendly footing this sufficiently p…
What's striking here is how Esau's departure isn't just about packing up; it's an act of immense physical accumulation. He gathers everything he's acquired—all his wives, children, household members, livestock, and property—before leaving, highlighting the sheer scale of his material wealth, which ultimately makes cohabitation with Jacob impossible. This isn't merely a man moving; it's a massive migration driven by abundance that forces a separation.
This passage marks a significant separation between Esau and Jacob, detailing Esau's departure from Canaan with his entire household and possessions. It occurs after Isaac's death and is presented as a consequence of their combined wealth, which made it impossible for them to continue living together in the same land. This move to a separate territory ultimately fulfills the prophetic blessing given to Esau by Isaac, positioning him and his descendants as a distinct nation.
This passage marks a significant separation between Esau and Jacob, detailing Esau's departure from Canaan with his entire household and possessions. It occurs after Isaac's death and is presented as a consequence of their combined wealth, which made it impossible for them to continue living together in the same land. This move to a separate territory ultimately fulfills the prophetic blessing given to Esau by Isaac, positioning him and his descendants as a distinct nation.
"Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his livestock, all his beasts, and all his property that he had acquired in the land of Canaan. He went into a land away from his brother Jacob. For t…" — What's striking here is how Esau's departure isn't just about packing up; it's an act of immense physical accumulation. He gathers everything he's acquired—all his wives, children, household member…
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Last reviewed October 2026
