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英文原文
In this chapter we have an account of the posterity of Esau, who, from him, were called Edomites, that Esau who sold his birthright, and lost his blessing, and was not loved of God as Jacob was. Here is a brief register kept of his family for some generations. 1. Because he was the son of Isaac, for whose sake this honour is put upon him. 2. Because the Edomites were neighbours to Israel, and their genealogy would be of use to give light to the following stories of what passed between them. 3. It is to show the performance of the promise to Abraham, that he should be "the father of many nations," and of that answer which Rebekah had from the oracle she consulted, "Two nations are in thy womb," and of the blessing of Isaac, "Thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth." We have here, I. Esau's wives, Ge 36:1-5. II. His remove to mount Seir, Ge 36:6-8. III. The names of his sons, Ge 36:9-14. IV. The dukes who descended of his sons, Ge 36:15-19. V. The dukes of the Horites, Ge 36:20-30. VI. The kings and dukes of Edom, Ge 36:31-43. Little more is recorded than their names, because the history of those that were out of the church (though perhaps it might have been serviceable in politics) would have been of little use in divinity. It is in the church that the memorable instances are found of special grace, and special providence; for that is the enclosure, the rest is common. This chapter is abridged, 1Ch 1:35-54, etc.
1-8
The Generations of Esau (1780 BC)
以掃的後代(主前 1780 年)
¹ 以掃就是以東,他的後代記在下面。 ² 以掃娶迦南的女子為妻,就是赫人以倫的女兒亞大,和希未人祭便的孫女、亞拿的女兒阿何利巴瑪; ³ 又娶了以實瑪利的女兒、尼拜約的妹子巴實抹。 ⁴ 亞大給以掃生了以利法;巴實抹生了流珥; ⁵ 阿何利巴瑪生了耶烏施、雅蘭、可拉。這都是以掃的兒子,是在迦南地生的。 ⁶ 以掃帶著他的妻子、兒女,與家中一切的人口,並他的牛羊、牲畜,和一切貨財,就是他在迦南地所得的,往別處去,離了他兄弟雅各。 ⁷ 因為二人的財物群畜甚多,寄居的地方容不下他們,不能同居。 ⁸ 於是以掃住在西珥山裡;以掃就是以東。
此處當注意:1. 關於以掃本人(創 36:1)。他被稱為以東(創 36:8 又再稱一次)——這名字使他所行那樁愚蠢交易永遠被人記念:他為了那紅豆湯,那紅的東西,把長子名分賣了。單提這名字,已足以暗示他的家族何以被如此簡略地打發過去。當注意:人若作了錯事,日後被提起來作為羞辱,只能怪自己。2. 關於他的妻子們,以及她們在迦南地為他所生的兒女。他有三個妻子,卻一共只生了五個兒子:許多人只憑一個妻子所生的,比這還多。神在他的護理中,常使那些用不正常手段建立家族的人失望;然而在此應許仍舊得勝,以掃的家族到底建立起來了。3. 關於他遷居西珥山——這是神為他劃定的產業,同時把迦南保留給雅各的後裔。神很久以後仍承認此事:我將西珥山賜給以掃(申 2:5;書 24:4)——這正是以東人在他們的產業上不可被擾亂的原因。那些沒有像雅各那樣憑應許對迦南享有權利的人,仍可像以掃對西珥山那樣,憑神的護理對自己的產業有十分正當的權利。以掃在雅各從巴旦亞蘭回來之前,就已開始在岳家所在的西珥一帶定居(創 32:3)。以撒大概曾打發他到那裡去(正如亞伯拉罕在世時,把庶出的眾子從以撒跟前打發往東方去,創 25:6),好為雅各得著應許之地開出一條更清楚的路。然而在以撒活著的日子,以掃大概仍在迦南留有些產業;以撒死後,他便全然退到西珥山去,把自己在父親私產中所應得的一份帶走,把迦南留給雅各——不僅因為雅各有應許,也因為以掃看出,他們若照起初那樣繼續興旺下去,這地容不下他們兩人。於是以掃住在西珥山裡(創 36:8)。當注意:無論人多麼反對,神的話必定成就;甚至那些反對的人,遲早也要看見自己不得不屈服並順從。以掃曾與人爭奪迦南,如今卻乖乖退到西珥山去;因為神關乎所定的時候、關乎我們居住的疆界,他的旨意必定立定。
英文原文
The Generations of Esau (1780 BC)
¹ Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.
² Esau took his wives of the daughters of Canaan; Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;
³ And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.
⁴ And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
⁵ And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
⁶ And Esau 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 got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
⁷ For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
⁸ Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.
Observe here, 1. Concerning Esau himself, Ge 36:1. He is called Edom (and again, Ge 36:8), that name by which was perpetuated the remembrance of the foolish bargain he made, when he sold his birthright for that red, that red pottage. The very mention of that name is enough to intimate the reason why his family is turned off with such a short account. Note, If men do a wrong thing they must thank themselves, when it is, long afterwards, remembered against them to their reproach. 2. Concerning his wives, and the children they bore him in the land of Canaan. He had three wives, and, by them all, but five sons: many a one has more by one wife. God in his providence often disappoints those who take indirect courses to build up a family; yet here the promise prevailed, and Esau's family was built up. 3. Concerning his removal to mount Seir, which was the country God had given him for a possession, when he reserved Canaan for the seed of Jacob. God owns it, long afterwards: I gave to Esau mount Seir (De 2:5, Jos 24:4), which was the reason why the Edomites must not be disturbed in their possession. Those that have not a right by promise, such as Jacob had, to Canaan, may have a very good title by providence to their estates, such as Esau had to mount Seir. Esau had begun to settle among his wives' relations, in Seir, before Jacob came from Padan-aram, Ge 32:3. Isaac, it is likely, had sent him thither (as Abraham in his life-time had sent the sons of the concubines from Isaac his son into the east country, Ge 26:6), that Jacob might have the clearer way made for him to the possession of the promised land. During the life of Isaac, however, Esau had probably still some effects remaining in Canaan; but, after his death, he wholly withdrew to mount Seir, took with him what came to his share of his father's personal estate, and left Canaan to Jacob, not only because he had the promise of it, but because Esau perceived that if they should continue to thrive as they had begun there would not be room for both. Thus dwelt Esau in Mount Seir, Ge 36:8. Note, Whatever opposition may be made, God's word will be accomplished, and even those that have opposed it will see themselves, some time or other, under a necessity of yielding to it, and acquiescing in it. Esau had struggled for Canaan, but now he tamely retires to mount Seir; for God's counsels shall certainly stand, concerning the times before appointed, and the bounds of our habitation.
9-43
The Dukes of Edom (1729 BC)
以東的諸族長(主前 1729 年)
⁹ 以掃是西珥山裡以東人的始祖,他的後代記在下面。 ¹⁰ 以掃眾子的名字如下:以掃妻亞大的兒子以利法,以掃妻巴實抹的兒子流珥。 ¹¹ 以利法的兒子是提幔、阿抹、洗玻、迦坦、基納斯。 ¹² 亭納是以掃兒子以利法的妾;她給以利法生了亞瑪力。這是以掃的妻子亞大的子孫。 ¹³ 流珥的兒子是拿哈、謝拉、沙瑪、米撒。這是以掃妻子巴實抹的子孫。 ¹⁴ 以掃的妻子阿何利巴瑪是祭便的孫女、亞拿的女兒;她給以掃生了耶烏施、雅蘭、可拉。 ¹⁵ 以掃子孫中作族長的記在下面。以掃的長子以利法的子孫中,有族長提幔、族長阿抹、族長洗玻、族長基納斯, ¹⁶ 族長可拉、族長迦坦、族長亞瑪力。這是在以東地從以利法所出的族長,都是亞大的子孫。 ¹⁷ 以掃的兒子流珥的子孫中,有族長拿哈、族長謝拉、族長沙瑪、族長米撒。這是在以東地從流珥所出的族長,都是以掃妻子巴實抹的子孫。 ¹⁸ 以掃的妻子阿何利巴瑪的子孫中,有族長耶烏施、族長雅蘭、族長可拉。這是從以掃的妻子、亞拿的女兒阿何利巴瑪所出的族長。 ¹⁹ 以上的族長都是以掃的子孫;以掃就是以東。
當在此注意:1. 此處只記以掃的兒子和孫子的名字——只有他們的名字,沒有他們的歷史;因為摩西所保存記錄的是教會,不是那些在教會之外之人的記錄。那些單憑信心生活的古人,才得了美好的證據。是錫安產生名士,不是西珥(詩 87:5)。而且這家譜只到第三第四代為止;此後所有人的名字都埋沒在遺忘中。惟有以色列人的家譜——他們將要承受迦南,應許的後裔、聖潔的種類也要從他們而出——才被拉長到所需要的長度,甚至各支派直到迦南被分給他們為止,王室也直到基督降生為止。2. 以掃的這些兒子和孫子被稱為族長(創 36:15-19)。他們大概是軍事首領——族長或將領,手下有兵卒;因為以掃和他的家族是靠刀劍度日的(創 27:40)。當注意:尊榮的頭銜,在教會之外比在教會之內更早出現。雅各的兒子不過是平凡的牧人時(創 47:3),以掃的兒子已是族長。這不是基督徒不當使用這類頭銜的理由;卻是人不可因此自視過高、或視別人過高的理由。有一種從神而來的尊榮,在他家中的一個名分,是無比寶貴的。以東人在人前可作族長,但真以色列人卻被我們的神立為君王和祭司。3. 我們可設想那些族長有眾多的兒女和僕人的家族,這便是他們的族長領地。神曾應許使雅各增多、使他富足;然而以掃卻先增多、先得富足。當注意:這世代的人兒女眾多,肚腹也充滿隱藏的財寶(詩 17:14),這並非新鮮事。神對雅各的應許開始得著成就雖晚,其果效卻持久得多,並要在屬靈的以色列身上完全應驗。
²⁰ 那地原有的居民何利人西珥的子孫記在下面:羅坍、朔巴、祭便、亞拿、 ²¹ 底順、以察、底珊。這是在以東地的何利人西珥子孫中作族長的。 ²² 羅坍的兒子是何利、希幔;羅坍的妹子是亭納。 ²³ 朔巴的兒子是亞勒文、瑪拿轄、以巴錄、示玻、阿南。 ²⁴ 祭便的兒子是亞雅、亞拿。當時在曠野放他父親祭便的驢,遇見溫泉的,就是這亞拿。 ²⁵ 亞拿的兒子是底順;亞拿的女兒是阿何利巴瑪。 ²⁶ 底順的兒子是欣但、伊是班、益蘭、基蘭。 ²⁷ 以察的兒子是辟罕、撒番、亞干。 ²⁸ 底珊的兒子是烏斯、亞蘭。 ²⁹ 從何利人所出的族長記在下面:族長羅坍、族長朔巴、族長祭便、族長亞拿、 ³⁰ 族長底順、族長以察、族長底珊。這是從何利人所出的族長,都在西珥地按著族長作族長。
在以東人家譜的中間,這裡插入了何利人的家譜——他們是那些迦南人,或赫人(比較創 26:34),原是西珥山的土著。創 14:6 提到他們,以及他們在以東人取得西珥山之前對該地的權益(申 2:12,22)。這段記載插在此處,不僅為說明歷史,也是要成為對以東人與他們通婚的一個長久責備——他們大概是藉此學了他們的道,使自己敗壞了。以掃既賣了長子名分,又失去了祝福,並與赫人結盟,他的後裔與西珥的子孫便在此一同被數算。當注意:那些背信棄義地離棄神教會的人,公義地被列在那些從未在其中的人中間;背道的以東人與受咒詛的何利人站在同等地位。此處特別記了一個亞拿——他放他父親祭便的驢(創 36:24),卻被稱為族長亞拿(創 36:29)。當注意:想要升高的人當從卑微開始。尊貴的家世不當使人不肯作誠實的職業,卑微的職業也不妨礙任何人的高升。這個亞拿不但在本業上勤奮,而且有才智、有成就;因為他在曠野發現了騾(有人讀作水——溫泉)。在自己事業上勤奮的人,有時會發現出乎意料的益處。
³¹ 以色列人未有君王治理以先,在以東地作王的記在下面。 ³² 比珥的兒子比拉在以東作王,他的京城名叫亭哈巴。 ³³ 比拉死了,波斯拉人謝拉的兒子約巴接續他作王。 ³⁴ 約巴死了,提幔地的人戶珊接續他作王。 ³⁵ 戶珊死了,比達的兒子哈達接續他作王。這哈達就是在摩押地殺敗米甸人的,他的京城名叫亞未得。 ³⁶ 哈達死了,瑪士利加人桑拉接續他作王。 ³⁷ 桑拉死了,大河邊的利河伯人掃羅接續他作王。 ³⁸ 掃羅死了,亞革波的兒子巴勒哈南接續他作王。 ³⁹ 亞革波的兒子巴勒哈南死了,哈達接續他作王,他的京城名叫巴烏;他的妻子名叫米希他別,是米薩合的孫女、瑪特列的女兒。 ⁴⁰ 從以掃所出的族長,按著他們的宗族、住處、名字記在下面:族長亭納、族長亞勒瓦、族長耶帖、 ⁴¹ 族長阿何利巴瑪、族長以拉、族長比嫩、 ⁴² 族長基納斯、族長提幔、族長米比薩、 ⁴³ 族長瑪基疊、族長以蘭。這是以東人在所得為業的地上,按著他們的住處所出的族長。以掃就是以東人的始祖。
看來以東人是漸漸把何利人排擠出去,取得了全境,並有了自己的政府。1. 他們由君王治理——這些王治理全國,看來是藉選舉登基,而非按世襲;帕特里克主教如此觀察。這些王在以色列人未有君王治理以先,就在以東作王——就是說,在摩西之前;因為他在耶書崙作王(申 33:5)。神最近才應許雅各有君王從他腰中而出(創 35:11),然而以掃的血卻比雅各任何一支系早得多成為王族。當注意:在外表的興旺和尊榮上,聖約的兒女常被甩在後頭,那些在聖約之外的人反而搶了先。惡人的得勢或許很快,卻很短暫;很快成熟,也很快朽壞:但應許的果子雖然遲慢,卻是確定而持久;到了末後還是要說話,並不虛謊。我們可以設想,當神的以色列在埃及為奴時,聽見以東諸王的威榮和權勢,對他們的信心是個極大的試驗;但那盼望從神得大事的人,必須情願等候;神的時候是最好的時候。2. 他們後來由族長治理——此處再次列名;我想他們是同時在全國各地分別治理的。他們或是效法何利人而設立了這種政體(何利人向來如此行,創 36:29),或是如有人猜想,神的護理使他們降為此,為要管教他們對以色列的不仁——不肯容以色列人經過他們的境內(民 20:18)。當注意:權力若被濫用,神公義地使它削弱,把它分流到多個渠道。邦國因有罪過,君王就多更換。罪使以東從君王降為族長,從冠冕降為小花冠。我們讀到以東的族長(出 15:15),然而很久之後又讀到他們有君王。3. 西珥山被稱為他們所得為業之地(創 36:43)。當以色列人住在奴役之家、他們的迦南不過是應許之地時,以東人卻住在自己的住處,西珥在他們掌握之中。當注意:這世代的兒女所有的都在手中,毫無在盼望之中(路 16:25);而神的兒女卻幾乎所有的都在盼望之中,在手中的少之又少。但綜觀一切,有迦南在應許中,勝過有西珥山在掌握中。
英文原文
The Dukes of Edom (1729 BC)
⁹ And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:
¹⁰ These are the names of Esau's sons; Eliphaz the son of Adah the wife of Esau, Reuel the son of Bashemath the wife of Esau.
¹¹ And the sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenaz.
¹² And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
¹³ And these are the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
¹⁴ And these were the sons of Aholibamah, the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon, Esau's wife: and she bare to Esau Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.
¹⁵ These were dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn son of Esau; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
¹⁶ Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah.
¹⁷ And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
¹⁸ And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau's wife.
¹⁹ These are the sons of Esau, who is Edom, and these are their dukes.
Observe here, 1. That only the names of Esau's sons and grandsons are recorded, only their names, not their history; for it is the church that Moses preserves the records of, not the record of those that are without. Those elders that lived by faith alone obtained a good report. It is Sion that produces the men of renown, not Seir, Ps 87:5. Nor does the genealogy go any further than the third and fourth generation; the very names of all after are buried in oblivion. It is only the pedigree of the Israelites, who were to be the heirs of Canaan, and of whom were to come the promised seed, and the holy seed, that is drawn out to any length, as far as there was occasion for it, even of all the tribes till Canaan was divided among them, and of the royal line till Christ came. 2. That these sons and grandsons of Esau are called dukes, Ge 36:15-19. Probably they were military commanders, dukes, or captains, that had soldiers under them; for Esau and his family lived by the sword, Ge 27:40. Note, Titles of honour have been more ancient out of the church than in it. Esau's sons were dukes when Jacob's sons were but plain shepherds, Ge 47:3. This is not a reason why such titles should not be used among Christians; but it is a reason why men should not overvalue themselves, or others, for the sake of them. There is an honour that comes from God, and a name in his house that is infinitely more valuable. Edomites may be dukes with men, but Israelites indeed are made to our God kings and priests. 3. We may suppose those dukes had numerous families of children and servants that were their dukedoms. God promised to multiply Jacob, and to enrich him; yet Esau increases, and is enriched first. Note, It is no new thing for the men of this world to be full of children, and to have their bellies too filled with hidden treasures, Ps 17:14. God's promise to Jacob began to work late, but the effect of it remained longer, and it had its complete accomplishment in the spiritual Israel.
²⁰ These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who inhabited the land; Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,
²¹ And Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan: these are the dukes of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom.
²² And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan's sister was Timna.
²³ And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
²⁴ And these are the children of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.
²⁵ And the children of Anah were these; Dishon, and Aholibamah the daughter of Anah.
²⁶ And these are the children of Dishon; Hemdan, and Eshban, and Ithran, and Cheran.
²⁷ The children of Ezer are these; Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.
²⁸ The children of Dishan are these; Uz, and Aran.
²⁹ These are the dukes that came of the Horites; duke Lotan, duke Shobal, duke Zibeon, duke Anah,
³⁰ Duke Dishon, duke Ezer, duke Dishan: these are the dukes that came of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Seir.
In the midst of this genealogy of the Edomites here is inserted the genealogy of the Horites, those Canaanites, or Hittites (compare Ge 26:34), that were the natives of Mount Seir. Mention is made of them, Ge 14:6, and of their interest in Mount Seir, before the Edomites took possession of it, De 2:12,22. This comes in here, not only to give light to the story, but to be a standing reflection upon the Edomites for intermarrying with them, by which, it is probable, they learned their way, and corrupted themselves. Esau having sold his birthright, and lost his blessing, and entered into alliance with the Hittites, his posterity and the sons of Seir are here reckoned together. Note, Those that treacherously desert God's church are justly numbered with those that were never in it; apostate Edomites stand on the same ground with accursed Horites. Particular notice is taken of one Anah who fed the asses of Zibeon his father (Ge 36:24), and yet is called duke Anah, Ge 36:29. Note, Those that expect to rise high should begin low. An honourable descent should not keep men from an honest employment, nor a mean employment hinder any man's preferment. This Anah was not only industrious in his business, but ingenious too, and successful; for he found mules, or (as some read it) waters, hot-baths, in the wilderness. Those that are diligent in their business sometimes find more advantages than they expected.
³¹ And these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel.
³² And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.
³³ And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.
³⁴ And Jobab died, and Husham of the land of Temani reigned in his stead.
³⁵ And Husham died, and Hadad the son of Bedad, who smote Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Avith.
³⁶ And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
³⁷ And Samlah died, and Saul of Rehoboth by the river reigned in his stead.
³⁸ And Saul died, and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his stead.
³⁹ And Baal-hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead: and the name of his city was Pau; and his wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
⁴⁰ And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,
⁴¹ Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
⁴² Duke Kenaz, duke Teman, duke Mibzar,
⁴³ Duke Magdiel, duke Iram: these be the dukes of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession: he is Esau the father of the Edomites.
By degrees, it seems, the Edomites wormed out the Horites, obtained full possession of the country, and had a government of their own. 1. They were ruled by kings, who governed the whole country, and seem to have come to the throne by election, and not by lineal descent; so bishop Patrick observes. These kings reigned in Edom before there reigned any king over the children of Israel, that is, before Moses's time, for he was king in Jeshurun, De 33:5. God had lately promised Jacob that kings should come out of his loins (Ge 35:11), yet Esau's blood becomes royal long before any of Jacob's did. Note, In external prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often cast behind, and those that are out of covenant get the start. The triumphing of the wicked may be quick, but it is short; soon ripe, and as soon rotten: but the products of the promise, though they are slow, are sure and lasting; at the end it shall speak, and not lie. We may suppose it was a great trial to the faith of God's Israel to hear of the pomp and power of the kings of Edom, while they were bond-slaves in Egypt; but those that look for great things from God must be content to wait for them; God's time is the best time. 2. They were afterwards governed by dukes, again here named, who, I suppose, ruled all at the same time in several places in the country. Either they set up this form of government in conformity to the Horites, who had used it (Ge 36:29), or God's providence reduced them to it, as some conjecture, to correct them for their unkindness to Israel, in refusing them a passage though their country, Nu 20:18. Note, When power is abused, it is just with God to weaken it, by turning it into divers channels. For the transgression of a land, many are the princes thereof. Sin brought Edom from kings to dukes, from crowns to coronets. We read of the dukes of Edom (Ex 15:15), yet, long afterwards, of their kings again. 3. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession, Ge 36:43. While the Israelites dwelt in the house of bondage, and their Canaan was only the land of promise, the Edomites dwelt in their own habitations, and Seir was in their possession. Note, The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope (Lu 16:25); while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is better to have Canaan in promise than mount Seir in possession.
本章記述以掃的後裔;他們因以掃而被稱為以東人——那個賣了長子名分、失去祝福、不像雅各那樣蒙神所愛的以掃。這裏為他的家族保存了簡略的家譜,記錄了數代:1. 因為他是以撒的兒子,為以撒的緣故,這尊榮加在他身上。2. 因為以東人是以色列的鄰舍,他們的家譜有助於照亮後來以色列與以東之間所發生之事的記載。3. 為要顯明對亞伯拉罕應許的應驗——他要作「多國的父」;也要顯明利百加從她求問的神諭所得的回答——「兩國在你腹內」;以及以撒的祝福——「地上的肥土必為你所住」。本章內容包括:一、以掃的妻子(創 36:1-5)。二、他遷往西珥山(創 36:6-8)。三、他眾子的名字(創 36:9-14)。四、從他兒子們所出的族長(創 36:15-19)。五、何利人的族長(創 36:20-30)。六、以東的王和族長(創 36:31-43)。除了他們的名字之外,所記的並不多;因為那些在教會以外之人的歷史(雖然在政治上可能有用),在神學上卻用處甚微。只有在教會之中,才能找到特別恩典與特別護理之難忘實例;因為教會是圍起來的園子,其餘的是共用地。本章在歷代志上 1:35-54 等處有所摘述。