Esau, the elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of his family relationships and descendants. His marriages and offspring are detailed in the Book of Genesis, providing insight into the lineage and tribal affiliations that emerged from him.

Wives of Esau

1. Judith: Esau's first wife, Judith, was the daughter of Beeri the Hittite. Her marriage to Esau is mentioned in Genesis 26:34: "When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite." The union with Hittite women was a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah, as noted in Genesis 26:35.

2. Basemath: Also a Hittite, Basemath was the daughter of Elon. Her marriage to Esau is recorded alongside Judith's in Genesis 26:34. The Hittite heritage of Esau's first two wives is significant, as it reflects Esau's departure from the covenantal lineage of his father, Isaac.

3. Mahalath: In an attempt to please his parents after realizing their disapproval of his Hittite wives, Esau married Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. This marriage is documented in Genesis 28:9: "So Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had." This union connected Esau to the broader Abrahamic family, though still outside the direct line of the covenant.

4. Adah: In Genesis 36:2, Adah is mentioned as another wife of Esau, identified as the daughter of Elon the Hittite. There is some scholarly debate regarding the names and identities of Esau's wives due to variations in the biblical text, but Adah is consistently noted as a significant figure in Esau's family.

5. Oholibamah: Also mentioned in Genesis 36:2, Oholibamah was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite. Her inclusion in Esau's family further illustrates the diverse tribal connections established through Esau's marriages.

Sons of Esau

Esau's sons became the progenitors of the Edomite tribes, a significant nation in the biblical narrative. The sons of Esau are listed in Genesis 36, highlighting their roles in the formation of Edom:

1. Eliphaz: The son of Adah, Eliphaz is noted as a prominent figure among Esau's descendants. Genesis 36:4 states, "And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau." Eliphaz's own sons, including Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz, became leaders of Edomite clans.

2. Reuel: Born to Basemath, Reuel is another of Esau's sons. Genesis 36:4 records, "And Basemath bore Reuel." His descendants, Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah, also became chiefs within Edom.

3. Jeush, Jalam, and Korah: These sons were born to Oholibamah, as noted in Genesis 36:5: "And Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah." They too became leaders of Edomite tribes, contributing to the nation's development.

Esau's family, through his wives and sons, played a crucial role in the establishment of the Edomite nation, which frequently interacted with the Israelites throughout biblical history. The marriages and offspring of Esau illustrate the complex interrelations between the descendants of Abraham and the surrounding peoples.