Genesis 36:16
New International Version
Korah, Gatam and Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in Edom; they were grandsons of Adah.

New Living Translation
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the clan leaders in the land of Edom who descended from Eliphaz. All these were descendants of Esau’s wife Adah.

English Standard Version
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

Berean Standard Bible
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah.

Berean Literal Bible
Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

King James Bible
Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

New King James Version
Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. They were the sons of Adah.

New American Standard Bible
chief Korah, chief Gatam, and chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

NASB 1995
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

NASB 1977
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

Legacy Standard Bible
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

Amplified Bible
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Adah.

Berean Annotated Bible
Korah, Gatam (a burnt valley), and Amalek (dweller in a valley). They are the chiefs of Eliphaz (my God is gold) in the land of Edom (red), and they are the grandsons of Adah (ornament).

Christian Standard Bible
chief Korah, chief Gatam, and chief Amalek. These are the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah.

American Standard Version
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these are the chiefs that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

Contemporary English Version
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These and Esau's other descendants lived in the land of Edom.

English Revised Version
duke Korah, duke Gatam, duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the tribal leaders descended from Eliphaz in Edom. They were the grandsons of Adah.

Good News Translation
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were all descendants of Esau's wife Adah.

International Standard Version
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These were the tribal leaders who descended from Eliphaz in the territory of Edom. These were Adah's sons.

NET Bible
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

New Heart English Bible
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah.

Webster's Bible Translation
Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes, descendants of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom: these were the sons of Adah.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah.

World English Bible
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These are the chiefs who came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, Chief Amalek; these [are] chiefs of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom; these [are] sons of Adah.

Berean Literal Bible
Chief Korah, Chief Gatam, and Chief Amalek. These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

Young's Literal Translation
chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek; these are chiefs of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom; these are sons of Adah.

Smith's Literal Translation
Chief Korah, chief Gatam, chief Amalek: these the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Adam: these the sons of Adah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Duke Core, duke Gatham, duke Amalech: these are the sons of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom, and these the Bone of Ada.

Catholic Public Domain Version
leader Korah, leader Gatam, leader Amalek. These are the sons of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom, and these the sons of Adah.

New American Bible
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the clans of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Adah.

New Revised Standard Version
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the clans of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Adah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Chief Gatham, chief Korah, and chief Amalek; these are the chiefs that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Prince Gatham, Prince Qurakh, Prince Amaleeq; these are the Princes of Eliphaz in the land of Adum; these are the sons of Ada.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the chief of Korah, the chief of Gatam, the chief of Amalek. These are the chiefs that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Adah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
chief Core, chief Gothom, chief Amalec. These are the chiefs of Eliphas, in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Ada.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Chiefs of Edom
15These are the chiefs among the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, 16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah. 17These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath.…

Cross References
Korah,

1 Chronicles 1:35
The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.

Deuteronomy 23:7-8
Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land. / The third generation of children born to them may enter the assembly of the LORD.
Gatam,

1 Chronicles 1:36
The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz; and by Timna, Amalek.

Obadiah 1:10
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.
and Amalek.

Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, / how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God. / When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!

Exodus 17:8-16
After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. / So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. …

1 Samuel 15:2-3
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt. / Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”
They are the chiefs of Eliphaz

1 Chronicles 1:51-54
Then Hadad died. Now the chiefs of Edom were Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, / Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, / Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, …

Ezekiel 35:2-3
“Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it, / and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I am against you, O Mount Seir. I will stretch out My hand against you and make you a desolate waste.
in the land of Edom,

Numbers 20:14-21
From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, / how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, / and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. …

Deuteronomy 2:4-8
and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful. / Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a footprint, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as his possession. / You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’” …

Obadiah 1:1-4
This is the vision of Obadiah: This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom—We have heard a message from the LORD; an envoy has been sent among the nations to say, “Rise up, and let us go to battle against her!”— / “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you will be deeply despised. / The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ …
and they are the grandsons of Adah.

Genesis 26:34
When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.

Malachi 1:2-3
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”

Hebrews 12:16-17
See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. / For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
Genesis 25:13-16
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, / Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. …


Treasury of Scripture

Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.

Duke Korah.

Genesis 36:11
And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.

Genesis 36:12
And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.

Genesis 36:5
And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.

dukes.

Exodus 15:15
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Jump to Previous
Adah Amalek Am'alek Chief Chiefs Descendants Descended Duke Dukes Edom Eliphaz El'iphaz Gatam Grandsons Korah Offspring
Jump to Next
Adah Amalek Am'alek Chief Chiefs Descendants Descended Duke Dukes Edom Eliphaz El'iphaz Gatam Grandsons Korah Offspring
Genesis 36
1. Esau's three wives.
6. His removal to mount Seir.
9. His sons.
15. The dukes which descended of his sons.
20. The sons and dukes of Seir the Horite.
24. Anah finds mules.
31. The kings of Edom.
40. The dukes that descended of Esau.












Korah
Korah is listed as one of the chiefs of Eliphaz, a son of Esau. The name Korah appears elsewhere in the Bible, notably in the rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16), though this is a different individual. The name means "bald" or "ice," and it is important to distinguish between the different Korahs in Scripture. This Korah's role as a chief indicates a position of leadership and influence within the Edomite clan structure.

Gatam
Gatam is another chief of Eliphaz. The name is not widely mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, suggesting that Gatam's influence was primarily within the Edomite context. The name may mean "their touch" or "burnt valley," which could reflect geographical or familial significance. As a chief, Gatam would have had responsibilities in governance and military leadership.

and Amalek
Amalek is a significant figure, as he is the progenitor of the Amalekites, a perennial enemy of Israel. The Amalekites are first mentioned in Genesis 14:7 and later become a symbol of opposition to God's people (Exodus 17:8-16). The conflict with Amalek is seen as a spiritual battle, with Amalek representing forces opposed to God's purposes. This enmity is prophesied to continue until the end times (Exodus 17:16).

They are the chiefs of Eliphaz
Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau, is a prominent figure in Edomite history. As chiefs, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek held positions of authority under Eliphaz, indicating a structured hierarchy within the Edomite tribes. This structure reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern practice of tribal leadership and governance.

in the land of Edom
Edom, located southeast of Israel, is the territory settled by Esau's descendants. The land is characterized by its rugged terrain and strategic location along trade routes. Edom's relationship with Israel is complex, marked by both kinship and conflict. The Edomites' refusal to allow Israel passage during the Exodus (Numbers 20:14-21) exemplifies this tension.

and they are the grandsons of Adah
Adah is one of Esau's wives, and her lineage is significant in the formation of the Edomite tribes. The mention of Adah highlights the matrilineal aspect of tribal identity, which was important in ancient genealogies. This connection underscores the familial ties that shaped the political and social structures of Edom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Korah
A chief descended from Eliphaz, son of Esau. His name is associated with leadership within the Edomite clans.

2. Gatam
Another chief from the lineage of Eliphaz. His role, like Korah's, signifies the establishment of tribal leadership in Edom.

3. Amalek
A notable chief whose descendants, the Amalekites, would later become significant adversaries of Israel. His mention here foreshadows future conflicts.

4. Eliphaz
The firstborn son of Esau and father of the chiefs mentioned. His lineage is significant in the establishment of the Edomite nation.

5. Edom
The land settled by Esau and his descendants. It represents a nation distinct from Israel, often in opposition to it.
Teaching Points
Understanding Lineage and Legacy
The genealogies in Genesis remind us of the importance of our spiritual heritage and the impact of our actions on future generations.

The Consequences of Conflict
The mention of Amalek foreshadows future hostilities, teaching us about the long-term effects of enmity and the importance of seeking peace.

God's Sovereignty in History
The unfolding of these genealogies shows God's hand in history, orchestrating events according to His divine plan.

The Role of Leadership
The chiefs of Edom illustrate the significance of leadership and its influence on a community or nation.

Distinction Between Nations
The separation of Edom and Israel serves as a reminder of the distinct paths God has for different peoples and the importance of following His specific calling for us.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 36:16?

2. How does Genesis 36:16 demonstrate God's faithfulness to Esau's descendants?

3. What can we learn from Esau's leadership roles in Genesis 36:16?

4. How does Genesis 36:16 connect to God's promises in Genesis 25:23?

5. In what ways can we honor God's faithfulness as seen in Genesis 36:16?

6. How can Esau's legacy in Genesis 36:16 inspire our family leadership today?

7. What is the significance of Korah being listed as a chief in Genesis 36:16?

8. How does Genesis 36:16 fit into the broader narrative of Esau's descendants?

9. Why is the genealogy of Esau important in Genesis 36:16?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 36?

11. What does the Bible say about sowing discord?

12. What is the historical identity of the Amalekites?

13. What is the Bible's stance on rebellion?

14. Who authored the books of the Bible?
What Does Genesis 36:16 Mean
Korah

“Korah… ” (Genesis 36:16)

• This Korah is an Edomite chief descended from Esau through Eliphaz, not the later Levite Korah who rebelled against Moses (Numbers 16:1–3).

• His mention confirms God’s promise that Esau would father a nation with many rulers (Genesis 25:23).

• By recording Korah’s name, Scripture preserves the historical reality of Edom’s early tribal structure, demonstrating that God accurately tracks every lineage (Genesis 36:40–43).


Gatam

“… Gatam… ”

• Scripture gives no further detail about Gatam beyond his position as an Edomite chief.

• His inclusion underscores that every clan, however obscure, has a place in God’s unfolding plan (Psalm 147:4).

• The listing of minor figures like Gatam reminds us that God keeps faithful record of all nations, even those outside the covenant line of Israel (Genesis 17:20).


Amalek

“… and Amalek.”

• Amalek was the son of Eliphaz by Timna (Genesis 36:12) and became progenitor of the Amalekites, Israel’s persistent enemy (Exodus 17:8–16; Deuteronomy 25:17–19).

• His appearance here signals future conflict: God foreknew the hostility that would arise between Jacob’s and Esau’s descendants (Obadiah 1:10).

• The Amalekites’ later judgment (1 Samuel 15:2–3) shows God’s sovereignty in raising and removing nations according to His righteous purposes (Romans 9:17–18).


They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom

“These were the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom…”

• “Chiefs” (or “dukes”) identifies clan leaders who governed territories within Edom, fulfilling the prophecy that kings and rulers would come from Abraham’s line (Genesis 17:6).

• Locating them “in the land of Edom” situates these clans south of the Dead Sea, an area later denied to Israel when God said, “Do not harass them” (Deuteronomy 2:4–5).

• The verse highlights that Esau’s descendants established organized leadership long before Israel requested a king (1 Samuel 8:5), illustrating different developments within the two brother-nations.


They are the grandsons of Adah

“… and they were grandsons of Adah.”

• Adah, Esau’s Hittite wife (Genesis 26:34), links Edom to Canaanite lines, explaining the spiritual divergence between Jacob’s and Esau’s families (Genesis 28:8–9).

• By stressing Adah’s role, the text affirms the literal, biological descent of these chiefs, grounding later historical events—such as Edom’s opposition to Israel—in reliable genealogy (Numbers 20:14–21).

• The reference to Adah also demonstrates that God’s covenant blessings follow His chosen line (Jacob), not merely blood descent from Abraham (Genesis 25:23; Malachi 1:2–3).


summary

Genesis 36:16 records three specific clan leaders—Korah, Gatam, and Amalek—born to Eliphaz, the son of Esau, and grandsons of Adah. The verse establishes the early political framework of Edom, affirms God’s meticulous record-keeping, and foreshadows future interactions between Edom (especially Amalek) and Israel. It assures us that every detail of Scripture is purposeful, showing God’s sovereign oversight of all families and nations.

(16) Duke Korah.--The Samaritan Pentateuch rightly omits this name. He was a son of the Horite wife, Aholibamah.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Korah,
קֹ֛רַח (qō·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7141: Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name

Gatam,
גַּעְתָּ֖ם (ga‘·tām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1609: Gatam -- an Edomite

and Amalek.
עֲמָלֵ֑ק (‘ă·mā·lêq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6002: Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity

They
אֵ֣לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the chiefs
אַלּוּפֵ֤י (’al·lū·p̄ê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 441: Familiar, a friend, gentle, a bullock, a chieftain

of Eliphaz
אֱלִיפַז֙ (’ĕ·lî·p̄az)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 464: Eliphaz -- 'God is fine gold', a son of Esau, also a friend of Job

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Edom,
אֱד֔וֹם (’ĕ·ḏō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 123: The name of a condiment

[and] they
אֵ֖לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

are the grandsons
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Adah.
עָדָֽה׃ (‘ā·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5711: Adah -- two non-Israelite women


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OT Law: Genesis 36:16 Chief Korah chief Gatam chief Amalek: these (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 36:15
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