Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 36:5

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Genesis 36:5

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

Genesis 36:5

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"and Oholibamah bare Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, that were born unto him in the land of Canaan." — Genesis 36:5 (ASV)

In the land of Canaan. —We find Esau with a band of armed men in Seir on Jacob’s return from Padan-aram, but he still had his home at Hebron with his father until Isaac’s death, twenty-two years afterwards. Evidently he had taken Aholibamah home there, and she had borne him three sons. After Isaac’s death the land of Seir had so great attractions for him that he migrated there with his share of Isaac’s wealth, and left Hebron to Jacob, who now moved down there from the town of Eder, and took possession of the homestead of his fathers.

And thus the inheritance of the birthright came finally to Jacob by Esau’s own act, and would doubtless have so come to him; only his father’s blessing and the transference to him of the Abrahamic promises would have been given him, not at the time of Isaac’s temporary illness, but on his deathbed.