Birth of a Nation

Genesis 36

Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

I’m reading the Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Jacob became Israel and Esau became Edom This chapter is about Edom’s descendants, or, really, the birth of a nation.

The separation of the brothers Israel and Edom is reminiscent of the amicable separation of Abraham and Lot, as they were too prosperous and each needed more land. But unlike Lot, who comes to ruin, Esau prospers.

I’m not sure how important the names of the descendants of Esau are, but a brief look-up of Edom shows that the Edomites had indeed existed as a nation. Edom, as a nation, apparently plays a role later on in the Bible, so it’s good to keep in mind that the Edomites are relationally closer to Israelites than other nations might be.

I don’t know if the relationship is historically accurate or not. I don’t know if Jacob/Israel was really the father of Israelites, or if Esau/Edom was the father of Edomites. But the relationship is presumably of symbolic importance to the writers of the Bible.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

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