What does Genesis 36:31 mean?
This opens a passage listing those who ruled over Edom during a specific era: the years before Israel had any kings. It's unclear whether this era extended right up to the time of Israel's first king (1 Samuel 8:4–5) or if it happened much earlier.Esau (Genesis 36:1) and his family conquered the land of Seir (Genesis 14:6; Deuteronomy 2:12). His twin brother, Jacob, was renamed Israel (Genesis 35:10), but his descendants will not arrive in the Promised Land for several centuries (Exodus 1:1–5; 12:40), after which time they will be ruled by "judges," not kings (Judges 21:25).
Genesis 36:31–43 lists eight kings of Edom, the nation which descended from Esau (Genesis 36:1), all apparently ruling from a different city. This passage pointedly notes that Edom's kings all reigned before Israel had kings of her own. While Edom is conquering Seir (Genesis 36:9), Israel must endure centuries of slavery (Exodus 12:40). This was followed by a long period under a series of "judges" (Judges 21:25) before their first appointed king (1 Samuel 8:4–5). Finally, in this section, the clan leaders are listed, each likely representing a specific region in the land of Edom.
Genesis 36 describes the generations of Esau, mostly focusing on the genealogy and rulers of the land of Edom. Repeatedly, the chapter emphasizes that Esau is Edom, repeating an association made earlier in Genesis (Genesis 25:25, 30). The Edomite people are his descendants. The regions in the land of Edom are named for his offspring. The chapter diverts briefly to give the genealogy of the Horite people (Genesis 14:6) who occupied the land before it was conquered (Deuteronomy 2:12). Finally, the chapter lists eight kings of Edom, along with the chiefs whose names became associated with the regions their clans occupied.
