Genesis 36:7
◄  Genesis 36:7  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock.

New Living Translation (©2007)
There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
For their possessions were too many for them to live together, and because of their herds, the land where they stayed could not support them.

International Standard Version (©2012)
because their holdings were too vast to allow them to stay together, since the land where they had settled was not able to support all of their livestock.

NET Bible (©2006)
because they had too many possessions to be able to stay together and the land where they had settled was not able to support them because of their livestock.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
He did this because they had too many possessions to live together. There wasn't enough pastureland for all of their livestock.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land in which they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

American King James Version
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

American Standard Version
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojournings could not bear them because of their cattle.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For they were exceeding rich, and could not dwell together: neither was the land in which they sojourned able to bear them, for the multitude of their flocks.

Darby Bible Translation
For their property was too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were sojourners could not bear them, because of their cattle.

English Revised Version
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojournings could not bear them because of their cattle.

Webster's Bible Translation
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together: and the land wherein they were strangers could not sustain them, because of their cattle.

World English Bible
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn't bear them because of their livestock.

Young's Literal Translation
for their substance was more abundant than to dwell together, and the land of their sojournings was not able to bear them because of their cattle;

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.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers - literally, of their wanderings (cf. Genesis 28:4; Genesis 37:1) - could not bear them because of their cattle. This does not necessarily imply that Jacob was established in Canaan before Esau removed. Esau may have recognized the impossibility of two so rich and powerful chieftains as himself and his brother occupying Canaan, and may have retired Before Jacob actually took possession (Keil, Inglis).

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

For their riches were more than that they might dwell together,.... And therefore it was proper to part, as Abraham and Lot had done before, Genesis 13:6,

and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them, because of their cattle; their cattle were so numerous that they could not get pasturage for them, there not being enough left them by the inhabitants of it for them to occupy; nor could they hire land of them sufficient for them both; they being not possessors but sojourners in it, and therefore could have no more of it than the inhabitants thought fit to let unto them.

Genesis 36:7 Parallel Commentaries
Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Esau's Descendants
…6And 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. 7For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle. 8Thus dwelled Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom. …

Hebrews 11:9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
Genesis 13:6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.
Genesis 17:8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God."
1 Chronicles 29:15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
Psalm 39:12 "Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
Jeremiah 35:7 Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.'