Read & explore together
Esau, Seir and the Rulers of Edom in Chronicles
This genealogy reads like a reference guide. It keeps several Edomite lists in order so readers can trace family branches, kings, and chiefs directly from the text without turning the passage into a story.
Understanding the passage
Understanding this family record
In 1 Chronicles 1:35-54, the writer moves through four connected lists: Esau’s sons and grandsons, Seir’s descendants, the kings of Edom, and the chiefs of Edom. Verse 43 clearly signals the shift from family records to royal rule.
1 Chronicles 1:35–54Main takeaway
This passage preserves distinct, ordered lists for Edom’s family lines and rulers, with clear markers showing where each list begins.
Follow the family lines
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Esau’s descendants come firstThe passage opens with Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. It then narrows to two branches.
Explanation
The passage opens with Esau’s sons: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. It then narrows to two branches. Eliphaz’s sons are Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek. Reuel’s sons are Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. The wording stays simple and list-like.
02Seir’s line is a separate family listA new list begins with Seir’s sons: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
Explanation
A new list begins with Seir’s sons: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. Their descendants follow branch by branch: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan each have names attached. One extra note says Timna was Lotan’s sister.
03Then the text lists Edom’s kingsVerse 43 marks a clear change: “these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel”.
Explanation
Verse 43 marks a clear change: “these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel”. The kings are listed in sequence as one dies and another reigns: Bela, Jobab, Husham, Hadad, Samlah, Shaul, Baal Hanan, and Hadad.
04The passage ends with Edom’s chiefsAfter Hadad’s death, the final list names the chiefs of Edom. They are Timna, Aliah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram.
Explanation
After Hadad’s death, the final list names the chiefs of Edom. They are Timna, Aliah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram. The closing sentence confirms the category plainly: “These are the chiefs of Edom.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which verse clearly signals the move from family records to royal rule?
Look for the sentence that begins, “Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom”.
02What detail about Timna is given outside the usual “sons of” pattern?
Read the Lotan entry carefully and notice the family note added after his sons are named.
03Which king is identified by both his father and an action he did?
Find the king described as the son of Bedad and note the deed attached to his name.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Chronicles 1:35–54
35The sons of Esau: Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, and Korah.
36The sons of Eliphaz: Teman, Omar, Zephi, Gatam, Kenaz, Timna, and Amalek.
37The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
38The sons of Seir: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan.
39The sons of Lotan: Hori and Homam; and Timna was Lotan’s sister.
40The sons of Shobal: Alian, Manahath, Ebal, Shephi, and Onam. The sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah.
41The son of Anah: Dishon. The sons of Dishon: Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.
42The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.
43Now these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel: Bela the son of Beor; and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
44Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his place.
45Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.
46Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Avith.
47Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
48Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the River reigned in his place.
49Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
50Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
51Then Hadad died. The chiefs of Edom were: chief Timna, chief Aliah, chief Jetheth,
52chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon,
53chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar,
54chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom.