Genesis 36:25 - Esau's lineage: hidden significance?

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Hebrew Text

וְאֵלֶּה בְנֵי־עֲנָה דִּשֹׁן וְאָהֳלִיבָמָה בַּת־עֲנָה׃

English Translation

And the children of ῾Ana were these; Dishon, and Oholivama the daughter of ῾Ana.

Transliteration

Ve'eleh venei-Anah Dishon ve'Oholivama bat-Anah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי־עֲנָ֖ה דִּשֹׁ֑ן וְאׇהֳלִיבָמָ֖ה בַּת־עֲנָֽה׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Bereishit

The verse (Bereishit 36:25) lists the descendants of Seir the Horite, focusing on the lineage of Anah. This passage appears in the genealogy of Esav (Esau), detailing the families and clans of the land of Edom before Bnei Yisrael's emergence.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) notes that Anah is the same individual mentioned earlier (Bereishit 36:2) as the father of Oholivama, one of Esav's wives. Rashi clarifies that Anah was the son of Tzivon (Bereishit 36:24), making Oholivama both the daughter and granddaughter of Anah (since Tzivon was also called Anah in some interpretations). This reflects a common Torah practice of referring to grandchildren as "children."

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra emphasizes that the repetition of Anah's name underscores his significance in Edomite lineage. The mention of Oholivama as "bat-Anah" (daughter of Anah) highlights her distinguished status, as she later became a wife of Esav, linking her directly to the leadership of Edom.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 82:14) connects Anah's name (עֲנָה) to the root "to answer" (ענה), suggesting he was a figure of prominence who "answered" or led his generation. Dishon, his son, is interpreted as having a name meaning "antelope" (דישון), symbolizing swiftness or agility, possibly alluding to traits valued in Edomite society.

Halachic and Historical Significance

Genealogical Importance: The Torah meticulously records these lineages to distinguish the families of Esav from those of Yaakov, ensuring clarity in Jewish identity.
Oholivama's Role: As a matriarch of Edomite chiefs (Bereishit 36:41), her inclusion here reinforces the Torah's historical accuracy regarding neighboring nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who were Dishon and Oholivama in Genesis 36:25?
A: Dishon and Oholivama were children of Ana, who was part of the lineage of Seir the Horite (Genesis 36:20). The Torah lists them among the descendants of Esau (Edom) to show the fulfillment of G-d's promise that Esau would become a great nation (Genesis 25:23). Rashi explains that these genealogies are recorded to establish the nations that descended from Esau.

Q: Why does the Torah mention Oholivama as 'the daughter of Ana' specifically?
A: The Torah emphasizes Oholivama's lineage because she later became one of Esau's wives (Genesis 36:2). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 82:14) notes that listing her parentage helps distinguish her from another Oholivama mentioned earlier in the parsha. This precision in genealogy is characteristic of Torah narratives about family lines.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 36:25 about family history?
A: This verse teaches the importance of recording and remembering family lineages. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 12:3) explains that tracking genealogies preserves Jewish identity and tribal affiliations. Even for non-Jewish nations like Edom, the Torah shows that every family has significance in G-d's plan for humanity.