Genesis 36:31 - Edom's kings precede Israel's monarchy?

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Hebrew Text

וְאֵלֶּה הַמְּלָכִים אֲשֶׁר מָלְכוּ בְּאֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם לִפְנֵי מְלָךְ־מֶלֶךְ לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל׃

English Translation

And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Yisra᾽el.

Transliteration

Ve'eleh hamelachim asher malchu be'eretz Edom lifnei melech-melech livnei Yisrael.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ הַמְּלָכִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָלְכ֖וּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֑וֹם לִפְנֵ֥י מְלׇךְ־מֶ֖לֶךְ לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

The verse (Bereshit 36:31) lists the kings who ruled in Edom before any king reigned over Bnei Yisrael. This passage appears in the genealogy of Esav (Edom), and its placement is significant in understanding the broader narrative of Sefer Bereshit.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 36:31) notes that this verse foreshadows the future kingship of Bnei Yisrael. He explains that the Torah mentions Edom's kings first to teach that Edom's monarchy was temporary and unstable ("these kings died, and others arose"), whereas the kingship of Yisrael—beginning with Shaul and continuing through the Davidic dynasty—would be enduring. This aligns with the blessing given to Yaakov (Bereshit 35:11), where Hashem promises that "kings shall come forth from you."

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 83:2) elaborates that the phrase "before there reigned any king over Bnei Yisrael" hints at the eventual establishment of a righteous monarchy in Yisrael, contrasting with Edom's flawed leadership. The Midrash also connects this to the future downfall of Edom (a symbol of oppression against Yisrael) and the ultimate triumph of Mashiach, descended from David.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Melachim (1:2), the Rambam discusses the criteria for a Jewish king, emphasizing that the monarchy must align with Torah law. The mention of Edom's kings here serves as a contrast—their reigns were not bound by divine commandments, whereas Yisrael's kings were meant to uphold Torah and justice.

Symbolism of Edom

Edom represents the forces of din (strict judgment) and opposition to Yisrael's spiritual mission (see Malbim on Ovadiah 1:1).
The instability of Edom's kings (each dying without succession) reflects the transient nature of worldly power without divine sanction.
This foreshadows the eventual dominance of Yisrael's divinely ordained kingship, particularly the Davidic line leading to Mashiach.

Halachic Implication

The Sforno (Bereshit 36:31) highlights that the Torah's mention of kingship here implicitly validates the concept of a Jewish monarchy, provided it operates under Torah authority—a theme later codified in Devarim 17:14-20.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Horayot 11b

The verse is cited in a discussion about the chronology of kings and the historical context of Edomite kingship before the Israelite monarchy.

📖 Avodah Zarah 10a

Mentioned in a broader discussion about the history of nations and their rulers, contrasting Edomite kings with Israelite kingship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah list the kings of Edom before mentioning kings of Israel?
A: Rashi explains that this teaches us that Edom had established kings before Israel did. This shows that Hashem's plan unfolds in its proper time—Israel would only have kings when it was the right moment in history, as seen later with King Saul and King David.

Q: What is the significance of Edom having kings before Israel?
A: The Midrash teaches that this hints at the future dominance of other nations (symbolized by Edom) before the ultimate redemption when Israel will rise to its destined leadership. This reminds us that temporary worldly powers do not override Hashem's ultimate plan for the Jewish people.

Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish history?
A: The Ramban notes that this verse sets the stage for understanding the development of nations in relation to Israel. Edom (descendants of Esav) represents a rival kingdom, and the Torah contrasts their early kingship with Israel's later, Divinely appointed monarchy—highlighting that Israel's leadership comes from a holy, chosen path.

Q: What lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 10b) derives that worldly kingdoms rise and fall, but Israel's destiny is eternal. This teaches patience—even when other nations seem powerful, we trust in Hashem's timeline for the Jewish people's ultimate fulfillment of their purpose.