Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 36:8

"And Esau dwelt in mount Seir: Esau is Edom." — Genesis 36:8 (ASV)

Mount Seir. —The land of Idumea extends from the southern extremity of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Elath, and consists of a chain of mountains running parallel to the Akaba, or continuation of the deep depression through which the Jordan flows till it loses itself in the Dead Sea. The hills are of limestone, with masses here and there of basalt; and though large portions are so covered with stones as to be barren, the rest is moderately fertile, not indeed in grain, but in figs, pomegranates, and other fruits. The climate is pleasant, the heat in summer being moderated by cool winds, but the winters are cold. Its border was only some fifty or sixty miles from Hebron, so Esau’s move there was an easy matter. (Compare to Note on Genesis 27:39.)