Genesis 36:16
Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah.
Korah,

Korah was a chief among the descendants of Eliphaz and belonged to the ruling structure that developed from Esau’s family. His name means “bald” or “ice.” He must be distinguished from the Levite Korah who rebelled against Moses in the wilderness. His inclusion records the rapid growth of Esau’s line into established clans with recognized leaders.

1Ch 1:35 The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
Deu 23:7-8 Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother.…

Gatam,

Gatam, whose name may mean “their touch” or “burnt valley,” was another Edomite chief descended through Eliphaz. Though Scripture gives no further account of his life, his place in the genealogy shows that God preserved the history of Esau’s descendants as surely as He preserved the line through which He would bring Israel.

1Ch 1:36 The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam…
Oba 1:10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob,…

and Amalek.

Amalek was born to Eliphaz through Timna and became the ancestor of the Amalekites. The Amalekites later attacked Israel after the exodus and remained persistent enemies of God’s covenant people. Their opposition to Israel revealed the continuing conflict between those who resisted God’s purposes and the people through whom He was fulfilling His promises.

Deu 25:17-19 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way…
Exo 17:8-16 After this, the Amalekites came and attacked…
1Sa 15:2-3 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed…

They are the chiefs of Eliphaz

Eliphaz, Esau’s firstborn son, produced a line of influential Edomite clans. The title “chief” indicates tribal authority, likely involving leadership in matters of protection, justice, and warfare. Esau’s descendants became a strong people, fulfilling God’s word that he too would become a nation.

1Ch 1:51-54 Then Hadad died. Now the chiefs of Edom were…
Ezk 35:2-3 Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir……

in the land of Edom,

Edom was the land occupied by Esau’s descendants, south and southeast of the land promised to Jacob. Although Edom and Israel were bound by family ancestry, their history was often marked by hostility. The record of Edom’s chiefs confirms that this neighboring nation possessed an ordered political identity long before Israel entered Canaan.

Num 20:14-21 From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom,…
Deu 2:4-8 You will pass through the territory of your brothers…
Oba 1:1-4 This is what the Lord GOD says about Edom…

and they are the grandsons of Adah.

Adah was Esau’s wife and the mother of Eliphaz. The genealogy traces these chiefs back to Esau’s household, showing how individual family lines became tribes and nations. God’s covenant remained centered in Jacob’s line, yet Esau’s family also received the earthly fruitfulness promised to Abraham’s descendants.

Gen 26:34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives…
Mal 1:2-3 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask……
Heb 12:16-17 See to it that no one is sexually immoral…

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
1. How does the lineage of Esau, particularly through Eliphaz, influence the future interactions between Edom and Israel?

2. In what ways can understanding the genealogies in Genesis help us appreciate the broader account of the Bible?

3. What lessons can we learn from the ongoing conflict between the descendants of Esau and Israel, and how can we apply these lessons to conflicts in our own lives?

4. How does the role of leadership, as seen in the chiefs of Edom, inform our understanding of spiritual and community leadership today?

5. Considering the distinct paths of Edom and Israel, how can we discern and follow God's specific calling for our lives while respecting the paths of others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 17
The Amalekites, descendants of Amalek, attack Israel, highlighting the ongoing conflict between the two nations.

1 Samuel 15
King Saul's battle against the Amalekites, illustrating the enduring enmity and God's command to destroy them.

Obadiah 1
Prophecies against Edom, reflecting the tension and judgment against Esau's descendants.
Increase of Esau's HouseM. M. Kalisch, Ph. D.Genesis 36:1-43
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 36:1-43
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 36:1-43
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 36:1-43
The History of the Generations of EsauT. H. LealeGenesis 36:1-43
People
Achan, Achbor, Adah, Aholibamah, Aiah, Ajah, Akan, Alvah, Alvan, Amalek, Anah, Aran, Baalhanan, Bashemath, Basmath, Bedad, Bela, Beor, Bilhan, Canaanites, Cheran, Dishan, Dishon, Edomites, Elah, Eliphaz, Elon, Esau, Eshban, Ezer, Gatam, Hadad, Hadar, Hanan, Hemam, Heman, Hemdan, Hivite, Homam, Hori, Horites, Husham, Iram, Ishmael, Israelites, Ithran, Jaalam, Jacob, Jetheth, Jeush, Jobab, Kenaz, Korah, Lotan, Magdiel, Manahath, Matred, Mehetabel, Mezahab, Mibzar, Midianites, Mizzah, Nahath, Nebaioth, Nebajoth, Omar, Onam, Pinon, Reuel, Samlah, Saul, Seir, Shammah, Shaul, Shepho, Shobal, Teman, Temanites, Timna, Timnah, Zaavan, Zepho, Zerah, Zibeon
Places
Avith, Bozrah, Canaan, Dinhabah, Edom, Euphrates River, Hebron, Masrekah, Midian, Moab, Pau, Rehoboth, Seir
Topics
Adah, Amalek, Am'alek, Chief, Chiefs, Descendants, Descended, Duke, Dukes, Edom, Eliphaz, El'iphaz, Gatam, Grandsons, Korah, Offspring, Seed, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 36:10-43

     7230   genealogies

Genesis 36:16-17

     5696   grandchildren

Library
Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
SYRIA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EGYPTIAN CONQUEST NINEVEH AND THE FIRST COSSAEAN KINGS-THE PEOPLES OF SYRIA, THEIR TOWNS, THEIR CIVILIZATION, THEIR RELIGION-PHOENICIA. The dynasty of Uruazagga-The Cossseans: their country, their gods, their conquest of Chaldaea-The first sovereigns of Assyria, and the first Cossaean Icings: Agumhakrime. The Egyptian names for Syria: Khara, Zahi, Lotanu, Kefatiu-The military highway from the Nile to the Euphrates: first section from Zalu to Gaza-The Canaanites:
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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