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Genesis 36:6 - Esav departs, avoiding Yaakov's destiny

Genesis 36:6 - בראשית 36:6

Hebrew Text

וַיִּקַּח עֵשָׂו אֶת־נָשָׁיו וְאֶת־בָּנָיו וְאֶת־בְּנֹתָיו וְאֶת־כָּל־נַפְשׁוֹת בֵּיתוֹ וְאֶת־מִקְנֵהוּ וְאֶת־כָּל־בְּהֶמְתּוֹ וְאֵת כָּל־קִנְיָנוֹ אֲשֶׁר רָכַשׁ בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן וַיֵּלֶךְ אֶל־אֶרֶץ מִפְּנֵי יַעֲקֹב אָחִיו׃

English Translation

And ῾Esav took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had acquired in the land of Kena῾an; and went into another country away from his brother Ya῾aqov.

Transliteration

Vayikach Esav et-nashav ve'et-banav ve'et-bnotav ve'et-kol-neshamot beito ve'et-miknehu ve'et-kol-behemto ve'et kol-kin'yano asher rakhash be'eretz Kena'an vayelech el-eretz mipnei Ya'akov achiv.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּקַּ֣ח עֵשָׂ֡ו אֶת־נָ֠שָׁ֠יו וְאֶת־בָּנָ֣יו וְאֶת־בְּנֹתָיו֮ וְאֶת־כׇּל־נַפְשׁ֣וֹת בֵּיתוֹ֒ וְאֶת־מִקְנֵ֣הוּ וְאֶת־כׇּל־בְּהֶמְתּ֗וֹ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־קִנְיָנ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָכַ֖שׁ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אֶל־אֶ֔רֶץ מִפְּנֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֥ב אָחִֽיו׃
וַיִּקַּ֣ח עֵשָׂ֡ו אֶת־נָ֠שָׁ֠יו וְאֶת־בָּנָ֣יו וְאֶת־בְּנֹתָיו֮ וְאֶת־כׇּל־נַפְשׁ֣וֹת בֵּיתוֹ֒ וְאֶת־מִקְנֵ֣הוּ וְאֶת־כׇּל־בְּהֶמְתּ֗וֹ וְאֵת֙ כׇּל־קִנְיָנ֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָכַ֖שׁ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אֶל־אֶ֔רֶץ מִפְּנֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֥ב אָחִֽיו׃

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Parasha Commentary

Esav's Departure from Canaan

The verse describes Esav's decision to leave Canaan, relocating his entire household and possessions to another land due to his strained relationship with Yaakov. According to Rashi (on Bereishit 36:6), Esav recognized that he and Yaakov could not coexist in the same land because their material wealth was too great—"the land could not support them dwelling together" (Bereishit 36:7). This echoes the earlier conflict between Avraham and Lot (Bereishit 13:6), where proximity led to strife.

Esav's Wealth and Influence

The Torah emphasizes Esav's extensive possessions—wives, children, livestock, and property—highlighting his material success. The Ramban (on Bereishit 36:6) notes that Esav's wealth was acquired בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן ("in the land of Canaan"), suggesting he had established himself there, yet chose to leave rather than contend with Yaakov. This reflects the principle that peace between brothers is more valuable than territorial claims (see Talmud, Sanhedrin 6b on the preference for compromise).

The Reason for Esav's Departure

The phrase מִפְּנֵי יַעֲקֹב אָחִיו ("away from his brother Yaakov") is interpreted in multiple ways:

  • Rashi: Esav left because he felt indebted to Yaakov after their reconciliation (Bereishit 33:9), recognizing that Yaakov had a greater right to the land due to Yitzchak's blessing (Bereishit 27:28-29).
  • Sforno: Esav understood that Yaakov was the spiritual heir of Avraham and Yitzchak, and thus Canaan was rightfully his. His departure was an acknowledgment of Yaakov's destiny.
  • Midrash Tanchuma (Vayishlach 8): Esav feared future conflict, as Yaakov's growing family and blessings posed a threat to his own legacy.

Esav's Relocation to Seir

Later verses (Bereishit 36:8) clarify that Esav settled in Mount Seir, which the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 82:13) connects to his eventual role as the progenitor of Edom. This aligns with the prophecy given to Rivka (Bereishit 25:23) that her sons would become two nations. By separating, Esav and Yaakov each fulfilled their distinct paths—Yaakov as the bearer of the covenant and Esav as a powerful but secular nation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Megillah 17a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the descendants of Esau and their eventual fate, illustrating the separation between Jacob and Esau.
📖 Sanhedrin 12a
Mentioned in the context of discussing the possessions and wealth of Esau, and how he moved away from Jacob.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Esav leave Canaan and move away from Yaakov?
A: According to Rashi (Genesis 36:6), Esav moved away because he recognized that the land of Canaan was promised to Yaakov and his descendants. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 82:13) explains that Esav understood through divine prophecy that he would not inherit the land, so he chose to leave peacefully rather than fight over it.
Q: What is the significance of listing all of Esav's possessions when he left?
A: The Torah emphasizes Esav's wealth and large household to show that he was not lacking materially when he left. Ramban (Genesis 36:6) notes this demonstrates that Esav departed willingly, not because he was poor or forced out, but because he accepted that Canaan belonged to Yaakov's lineage.
Q: How does this verse relate to Jewish history?
A: This verse marks the separation between Yaakov's descendants (the Jewish people) and Esav's descendants (Edom). The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 10b) discusses how this division continued throughout history, with Edom representing forces that opposed the Jewish people's spiritual mission.
Q: What can we learn from Esav's decision to move away?
A: The Sforno (Genesis 36:6) teaches that we learn the importance of recognizing and accepting divine providence. Even though Esav had faults, here he demonstrated wisdom by acknowledging Yaakov's rightful claim to the land rather than engaging in conflict over it.
Q: Why does the Torah mention Esav's wives, children and household separately from his animals and possessions?
A: Rashi (Genesis 36:6) explains that the Torah first lists the people ('nefashot' - souls) to show they were more valuable than material possessions. This teaches the Jewish value that human life and family have greater importance than property or wealth.