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Genesis 36:14 - Esav's lineage through Oholivama

Genesis 36:14 - בראשית 36:14

Hebrew Text

וְאֵלֶּה הָיוּ בְּנֵי אָהֳלִיבָמָה בַת־עֲנָה בַּת־צִבְעוֹן אֵשֶׁת עֵשָׂו וַתֵּלֶד לְעֵשָׂו אֶת־יעיש [יְעוּשׁ] וְאֶת־יַעְלָם וְאֶת־קֹרַח׃

English Translation

And these were the sons of Oholivama, the daughter of ῾Ana the daughter of Żiv῾on, ῾Esav’s wife: and she bore to ῾Esav Ye῾ush, and Ya῾lam, and Qoraĥ.

Transliteration

Ve'eleh hayu bnei Oholivama bat-Ana bat-Tziv'on eshet Esav vateiled le'Esav et Ye'ush ve'et Ya'alam ve'et Korach.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאֵ֣לֶּה הָי֗וּ בְּנֵ֨י אׇהֳלִיבָמָ֧ה בַת־עֲנָ֛ה בַּת־צִבְע֖וֹן אֵ֣שֶׁת עֵשָׂ֑ו וַתֵּ֣לֶד לְעֵשָׂ֔ו אֶת־<span class="mam-kq"><span class="mam-kq-q">[יְע֥וּשׁ]</span> <span class="mam-kq-k">(יעיש)</span></span> וְאֶת־יַעְלָ֖ם וְאֶת־קֹֽרַח׃
וְאֵ֣לֶּה הָי֗וּ בְּנֵ֨י אׇהֳלִיבָמָ֧ה בַת־עֲנָ֛ה בַּת־צִבְע֖וֹן אֵ֣שֶׁת עֵשָׂ֑ו וַתֵּ֣לֶד לְעֵשָׂ֔ו אֶת־[יְע֥וּשׁ] (יעיש) וְאֶת־יַעְלָ֖ם וְאֶת־קֹֽרַח׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse appears in Bereshit (Genesis) 36:14, listing the descendants of Esav (Esau) through his wife Oholivama. The Torah provides detailed genealogies of Esav's lineage, emphasizing the fulfillment of Hashem's promise to Avraham that his descendants would become numerous nations (Bereshit 17:4-6).

Oholivama’s Lineage

Oholivama is identified as the daughter of Ana bat Tzivon (Ana the daughter of Tzivon). Rashi (Bereshit 36:2) explains that Tzivon was a Chiti (Hittite), making Oholivama a descendant of the Canaanite nations. The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 82:13) notes that Esav’s marriages to Canaanite women, contrary to the values of his fathers, demonstrated his divergence from the path of Avraham and Yitzchak.

The Names of Oholivama’s Sons

The three sons born to Esav and Oholivama are:

  • Ye'ush (יעוש) – The name may derive from the root עוש, meaning "to hasten" or "to act quickly." Ramban (Bereshit 36:5) suggests that Esav’s descendants often had names reflecting strength or swiftness, traits associated with Esav himself (Bereshit 25:27).
  • Ya'lam (יעלם) – This name may relate to עלם ("hidden" or "concealed"), possibly alluding to the hidden nature of Esav’s descendants' future roles in history.
  • Korach (קרח) – The name is identical to that of the rebellious figure in Bamidbar (Numbers) 16. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109b) discusses whether this Korach was the same as the one who challenged Moshe, but most commentators (including Rashi) clarify that they were different individuals.

Esav’s Mixed Legacy

The inclusion of Esav’s genealogy serves multiple purposes:

  • It distinguishes Yaakov’s lineage (the chosen line) from Esav’s (who became the progenitor of Edom and other nations).
  • It fulfills the prophecy that Rivka received: "Two nations are in your womb" (Bereshit 25:23).
  • The Midrash (Tanchuma, Toldot 8) teaches that recording Esav’s descendants ensures clarity in Jewish identity and prevents future confusion between the righteous and the wicked.

Spiritual Lessons

The Sages derive lessons from Esav’s family:

  • Marriage Choices: Esav’s unions with Canaanite women (like Oholivama) contrast with Yaakov’s marriage within the family of Avraham, teaching the importance of spiritual compatibility in marriage (Rambam, Hilchot Issurei Bi'ah 12:22).
  • Names Reflect Destiny: The names of Esav’s children often hint at their future roles, reinforcing the Torah’s principle that names carry significance (Bereshit Rabbah 37:7).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Oholivama mentioned in Genesis 36:14?
A: Oholivama was one of the wives of Esav (Esau). She was the daughter of Ana and the granddaughter of Ziv'on. According to Rashi, her name means 'tent of the high place,' possibly alluding to her background or character.
Q: Why does the Torah list Esav's descendants in detail?
A: The Torah lists Esav's descendants to show the fulfillment of Hashem's blessing to Avraham that his offspring would become many nations (Genesis 17:4-6). Additionally, the Talmud (Sotah 13b) explains that recording these lineages helps distinguish between the families of Yaakov (Jacob) and Esav.
Q: What is the significance of the names of Esav's sons in this verse?
A: The names Ye'ush, Ya'lam, and Korach reflect Esav's worldly nature. Rashi notes that 'Ye'ush' means 'despair,' possibly indicating Esav's outlook. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah) suggests these names hint at the transient nature of Esav's legacy compared to Yaakov's eternal spiritual inheritance.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader story of Yaakov and Esav?
A: This verse continues the contrast between Yaakov and Esav's lineages. While Yaakov's descendants became the 12 tribes of Israel with a spiritual mission, Esav's descendants formed earthly nations. The Ramban explains that documenting both lines emphasizes the divergent paths of these brothers.
Q: Why is Esav's wife's lineage traced back to her grandfather Ziv'on?
A: The Torah traces Oholivama's lineage to highlight her connection to the Horite chiefs (Genesis 36:20-21), showing Esav's integration into Canaanite society. Rashi explains that Ziv'on was originally a Horite prince, demonstrating how Esav married into local nobility, contrary to Yitzchak and Rivka's values.