Genesis 36:36
ESV
Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
NIV
When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.
NASB
Then Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah became king in his place.
CSB
When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.
NLT
When Hadad died, Samlah from the city of Masrekah became king in his place.
KJV
And Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his stead.
NKJV
When Hadad died, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.
What does Genesis 36:36 mean?
This passage (Genesis 36:31) describes the kings who ruled over Edom (Genesis 36:1). Notably, these rulers controlled their land in an era before Israel had any kings, at all. As Esau's descendants are conquering Seir (Genesis 14:6; Deuteronomy 2:12), Jacob's family will be enslaved in Egypt for centuries (Exodus 12:40), and even when freed will not immediately appoint a king (Judges 21:25).Hadad (Genesis 36:35) died, and Samlah took over as king, ruling from the city of Masrekah.
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.
