Genesis 36:3 - Ismael's daughter marries Esau?

Introduction to the Verse

The verse "וְאֶת־בָּשְׂמַת בַּת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל אֲחוֹת נְבָיוֹת" (and Basemat, daughter of Yishma'el, sister of Nevayot) appears in Bereshit 36:3 as part of the genealogy of Esav (Esau). This verse identifies Basemat as both the daughter of Yishma'el and the sister of Nevayot, connecting her to two significant figures in the Torah.

Context in the Torah

Basemat is mentioned as one of Esav's wives, alongside other wives such as Adah and Oholibamah. The Torah provides genealogical details to clarify lineage and relationships, particularly in the context of Esav's descendants, who became the Edomites. The mention of Basemat as the daughter of Yishma'el highlights a marital alliance between the families of Yitzchak (Isaac) and Yishma'el (Ishmael).

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi (Bereshit 36:3) notes that Basemat is also referred to as Machalat in Bereshit 28:9, where Esav takes her as a wife after seeing that Yitzchak instructed Yaakov (Jacob) not to marry a Canaanite woman. Rashi explains that the name change (or dual naming) may signify a spiritual transformation or an event tied to her marriage. He further connects the name Machalat to the root מחל (forgiveness), suggesting that Esav's sins were "forgiven" when he married her, as it demonstrated his desire to follow his father's example in avoiding Canaanite wives.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 67:13) elaborates on the significance of Basemat being the daughter of Yishma'el. It emphasizes that Esav sought to emulate his father Yitzchak by marrying within the family of Avraham, rather than taking Canaanite wives like his earlier marriages (e.g., Yehudit, daughter of Be'eri). This reflects a partial return to the values of his forefathers, albeit incompletely, as Esav's overall character remained flawed.

Nevayot's Mention

The phrase "sister of Nevayot" is significant because Nevayot was Yishma'el's firstborn (Bereshit 25:13). By identifying Basemat in relation to Nevayot, the Torah underscores her prominent lineage within Yishma'el's family. Ramban (Nachmanides) suggests that this detail reinforces the nobility of her ancestry, as Nevayot was a chieftain of a notable clan.

Lessons from the Verse

• Marital Alliances: The marriage between Esav and Basemat reflects the importance of maintaining familial and covenantal ties, even among divergent branches of Avraham's descendants.
• Repentance and Forgiveness: Rashi's connection to the name Machalat teaches that sincere efforts to improve one's ways can lead to divine forgiveness.
• Genealogical Clarity: The Torah's precise recording of relationships ensures clarity in understanding the origins of nations and the fulfillment of prophecies regarding Esav and Yishma'el's descendants.