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Genesis 26:34 - Esav marries idolatrous wives—why?

Genesis 26:34 - בראשית 26:34

Hebrew Text

וַיְהִי עֵשָׂו בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה וַיִּקַּח אִשָּׁה אֶת־יְהוּדִית בַּת־בְּאֵרִי הַחִתִּי וְאֶת־בָּשְׂמַת בַּת־אֵילֹן הַחִתִּי׃

English Translation

And ῾Esav was forty years old when he took to wife Yehudit the daughter of Be᾽eri the Ḥittite, and Basemat the daughter of Elon the Ḥittite:

Transliteration

Vayehi Esav ben-arba'im shanah vayikach isha et-Yehudit bat-Be'eri hachiti ve'et-Basmat bat-Eilon hachiti.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְהִ֤י עֵשָׂו֙ בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וַיִּקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ אֶת־יְהוּדִ֔ית בַּת־בְּאֵרִ֖י הַֽחִתִּ֑י וְאֶת־בָּ֣שְׂמַ֔ת בַּת־אֵילֹ֖ן הַֽחִתִּֽי׃
וַיְהִ֤י עֵשָׂו֙ בֶּן־אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וַיִּקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ אֶת־יְהוּדִ֔ית בַּת־בְּאֵרִ֖י הַֽחִתִּ֑י וְאֶת־בָּ֣שְׂמַ֔ת בַּת־אֵילֹ֖ן הַֽחִתִּֽי׃

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Parasha Commentary

Age of Esav at Marriage

The verse states that Esav was forty years old when he took wives. Rashi (on Genesis 25:20) notes that this parallels Yitzchak's age at his marriage (also forty, as stated in Genesis 25:20). This comparison highlights a contrast—while Yitzchak married righteous women (Rivkah), Esav married idolatrous women from the Hittites, demonstrating his divergence from his father's path.

The Choice of Wives

Esav married two Hittite women: Yehudit and Basemat. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 65:1) explains that these names reflect their actions:

  • Yehudit: Her name suggests she sought to "acknowledge" (from the root hoda'ah) or deceive Yitzchak into thinking she had abandoned idolatry.
  • Basemat: Her name means "spice," alluding to her use of incense for idol worship (Rashi on Genesis 26:34).

The Ramban (Genesis 26:34) adds that Esav's marriages to Canaanite women violated Avraham's directive (Genesis 24:3) not to take wives from the local nations, further emphasizing his rebellious nature.

Spiritual Implications

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 57b) teaches that Esav's marriages to Hittite women were particularly grievous because the Hittites were among the seven Canaanite nations whose influence was spiritually corrosive. The Sforno (Genesis 26:34) notes that Esav deliberately chose wives who would not challenge his ways, unlike Yaakov, who sought righteousness in his marriages.

Parental Disapproval

The Torah later states (Genesis 26:35) that these wives were a "bitterness of spirit" to Yitzchak and Rivkah. Rashi explains that their idolatrous practices caused distress, as they burned incense to foreign gods. This further alienated Esav from his family's spiritual legacy.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bava Batra 16b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about Esau's marriages and his character, illustrating his choices and their implications.
📖 Sanhedrin 106a
Mentioned in a broader discussion about the descendants of Esau and their relationships with other nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah mention Esav's age when he got married?
A: Rashi explains that the Torah mentions Esav was 40 years old when he married to draw a comparison to his father Yitzchak, who also married at 40 (Genesis 25:20). This highlights how Esav appeared to follow his father's ways outwardly, but his choice of wives from the Hittites showed his true character differed from his righteous parents.
Q: Why was it problematic that Esav married Hittite women?
A: The Hittites were idol worshippers, and marrying them went against the values of Avraham's family. The Torah (Genesis 24:3) tells us Avraham made his servant swear not to take a wife for Yitzchak from the Canaanites. Rashi notes these marriages caused grief to Yitzchak and Rivkah (Genesis 26:35).
Q: What is the significance of naming Esav's wives in this verse?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 67:8) explains that the names Yehudit and Basemat represent how these women tried to disguise their idolatrous ways ('Yehudit' implying Jewishness and 'Basemat' meaning spice/pleasantness). Despite their names, they maintained their idolatrous practices, showing Esav's poor judgment in choosing them.
Q: How does Esav's marriage relate to Jewish values about choosing a spouse?
A: This episode teaches the importance of shared values in marriage. The Rambam (Hilchos Ishus 15:2) derives from such verses that character and religious commitment are primary considerations in choosing a spouse. Esav's mistake was prioritizing other factors over spiritual compatibility.