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Genesis 36:36 - Edom's fleeting royal succession

Genesis 36:36 - בראשית 36:36

Hebrew Text

וַיָּמָת הֲדָד וַיִּמְלֹךְ תַּחְתָּיו שַׂמְלָה מִמַּשְׂרֵקָה׃

English Translation

And Hadad died, and Samla of Masreqa reigned in his place;

Transliteration

Va'yamat Hadad va'yimloch tachtav Samla mi'Masreka.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיָּ֖מׇת הֲדָ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו שַׂמְלָ֖ה מִמַּשְׂרֵקָֽה׃
וַיָּ֖מׇת הֲדָ֑ד וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תַּחְתָּ֔יו שַׂמְלָ֖ה מִמַּשְׂרֵקָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Bereishit

The verse (Bereishit 36:36) appears in the genealogy of Esav's descendants, listing the kings who ruled in the land of Edom before any king reigned over Bnei Yisrael. This section emphasizes the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham that kings would descend from him (Bereishit 17:6), even through Esav's line.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi notes that the phrase "Samla of Masreqa" indicates that Samla originated from the city of Masreqa. He explains that these Edomite kings were not hereditary rulers, as each king came from a different city (based on Bereishit 36:31). This contrasts with the later monarchy of Yisrael, which followed dynastic succession.

Ibn Ezra's Observations

Ibn Ezra points out that the Torah meticulously records these Edomite kings to demonstrate that Esav's descendants indeed became a powerful nation with an established monarchy, fulfilling the blessing Yitzchak gave Esav (Bereishit 27:40).

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 83:2) teaches that these kings reigned briefly to show that worldly kingship is temporary, unlike the eternal kingship of Hashem.
  • Some commentators suggest the name "Samla" relates to the Hebrew word for "garment" (simlah), symbolizing how worldly power clothes a person temporarily before passing to another.

Halachic Perspective

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 1:2) references these verses when discussing the Torah's requirements for Jewish monarchy, noting how the Edomite kingship model differed from the Torah's prescribed system for Jewish kings.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Hadad in Genesis 36:36?
A: Hadad was one of the early kings of Edom (Edom) mentioned in the Torah. According to Rashi and other commentators, these were kings who ruled before the Jewish people had kings. The Torah lists them to show the lineage and history of Esau's descendants (Edomites).
Q: Why does the Torah mention the death of Hadad and succession of Samla?
A: The Torah lists the kings of Edom (descendants of Esau) to contrast them with the future kings of Israel. Ramban explains that this shows how Edom's kingship was unstable (kings kept changing), while Israel's future kingship would be more enduring through the Davidic dynasty.
Q: What is the significance of 'Masreqa' in Genesis 36:36?
A: Masreqa was the place where King Samla came from. The Talmud and Midrash explain that the names and places of these Edomite kings are recorded to give us historical context about the nations surrounding Israel, showing that even other nations' histories are noted in the Torah when relevant to Jewish history.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 36:36 about leadership?
A: The quick succession of Edomite kings teaches that true leadership stability comes from righteousness. As the Sages explain, Edom's frequent leadership changes reflect their lack of merit, while proper Jewish leadership (when it follows Torah values) brings lasting stability.
Q: How does Genesis 36:36 connect to later Jewish history?
A: This verse is part of a pattern showing Edom's (later Rome's) unstable leadership, which the prophets contrast with the eventual eternal kingship of Mashiach from the House of David. The Midrash connects these early Edomite kings to later world powers that opposed Jewish sovereignty.