Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does the Torah list the names of Esav's sons?
A: The Torah lists Esav's descendants to show the fulfillment of Hashem's blessing that Esav would become a great nation (Genesis 27:39-40). Rashi explains that even though Esav separated from Yaakov, the Torah still records his lineage because he was an important figure and ancestor of nations.
Q: Who were Elifaz and Reuel in the Torah?
A: Elifaz and Reuel were sons of Esav, born from his wives Ada and Basemat. According to Midrashic sources, Elifaz later became the father of Amalek (Genesis 36:12), while Reuel's descendants formed other Edomite clans. The Ramban notes that these names reappear later in Tanach among the nations descended from Esav.
Q: What can we learn from the mention of Esav's wives in this verse?
A: The verse specifies which son came from which wife to teach us about family lineage and tribal origins. The Talmud (Bava Batra 115b) discusses how such detailed genealogies help establish proper Jewish lineage (yichus). Additionally, Rashi notes that mentioning the mothers shows that Esav's wives were significant in shaping these nations.
Q: Why does the Torah give so much detail about Esav's family?
A: The Torah details Esav's family for several reasons: 1) To show how Hashem's promise to Avraham about many nations coming from him was fulfilled through both Yaakov and Esav (Genesis 17:4-6). 2) To help identify future nations that would interact with Israel. 3) As the Sforno explains, to contrast Esav's physical legacy with Yaakov's spiritual legacy.
Q: How do the names of Esav's sons connect to later Jewish history?
A: Elifaz's lineage produced Amalek (Israel's eternal enemy), showing how family roots impact future relationships between nations. The Malbim explains that recording these names helps us understand later conflicts in Tanach, like those between Israel and Edom. The names also appear in prophecies about the end of days (Ovadiah 1:18).
Names and Lineage of Esav's Sons
The verse lists the names of Esav's sons, emphasizing their maternal lineage by mentioning their mothers, Ada and Basemat. This follows the Torah's pattern of recording genealogies with precision, as seen in other biblical narratives (e.g., Bereishit 36:1-43). Rashi (on Bereishit 36:2) notes that the Torah specifies "the wife of Esav" to clarify that these women were legally married to Esav, countering any potential misconception that his children were born from illicit relationships.
Significance of Maternal Lineage
The mention of the mothers—Ada and Basemat—highlights their influence on Esav's descendants. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 82:13) explains that the names and origins of these women are recorded to show that Esav's marriages were significant in shaping his offspring. Ada, a daughter of Elon the Hittite (Bereishit 36:2), and Basemat, a daughter of Yishmael (Bereishit 36:3), represent connections to other nations, which later influenced Edom's character.
Elifaz and Reu'el: Leaders of Edom
Elifaz, Esav's firstborn, became the progenitor of powerful Edomite clans (Bereishit 36:15-16). The Talmud (Sanhedrin 39b) notes that Elifaz's descendants included Amalek, illustrating how Esav's lineage carried both greatness and moral challenges. Reu'el's line (Bereishit 36:17) also produced leaders, reinforcing the idea that Esav's children inherited his strength and political influence.
Torah's Emphasis on Esav's Descendants
The detailed genealogy of Esav serves multiple purposes: it establishes the origins of neighboring nations (Edom), fulfills the prophecy that Esav would father princes (Bereishit 25:23), and contrasts Yaakov's spiritual legacy with Esav's worldly power. The Sforno (on Bereishit 36:1) explains that recording these names demonstrates G-d's providence over all nations, not just Israel.