The Meaning of Genesis 36:8 Explained

Genesis 36:8

KJV: Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

YLT: and Esau dwelleth in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

Darby: Thus Esau dwelt in mount Seir; Esau is Edom.

ASV: And Esau dwelt in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thus dwelt  Esau  in mount  Seir:  Esau  [is] Edom. 

What does Genesis 36:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 36:1-8 - Jacob's Sons Esau's Sons Isaac's Death
From Bethel to Bethlehem is not far. The one, the House of God; the other, the House of Bread. We need them both, if we are to bear up under the repeated shocks of life, such as the death of the old nurse Deborah, the death of our beloved Rachels, the sins of our children, and the breakup of the old home, as when our father is borne to his grave. Well was it for Jacob that he had got right with God before these repeated waves broke upon him. Isaac had not lived a great life, but his full years gave him a claim on the veneration of his sons, who forgot their jealousies and feuds as they stood together at his bier. But how greatly men misjudge death. It is not the end, but the beginning. We find hereafter Isaac associated with Abraham and Jacob, as welcoming the saints homeward. Death greatens good men! [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 36

1  Esau's three wives
6  His removal to mount Seir
9  His sons
15  The dukes which descended of his sons
20  The sons and dukes of Seir the Horite
24  Anah finds mules
31  The kings of Edom
40  The dukes that descended of Esau

What do the individual words in Genesis 36:8 mean?

So dwelt Esau in the hill country of Seir Esau is Edom
וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב עֵשָׂו֙ בְּהַ֣ר שֵׂעִ֔יר עֵשָׂ֖ו ה֥וּא אֱדֽוֹם

וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב  So  dwelt 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
עֵשָׂו֙  Esau 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֵשָׂו  
Sense: eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples.
בְּהַ֣ר  in  the  hill  country 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: הַר  
Sense: hill, mountain, hill country, mount.
שֵׂעִ֔יר  of  Seir 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: שֵׂעִיר 
Sense: patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites.
עֵשָׂ֖ו  Esau 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֵשָׂו  
Sense: eldest son of Isaac and Rebecca and twin brother of Jacob; sold the birthright for food when he was hungry and the divine blessing went to Jacob; progenitor of the Arab peoples.
אֱדֽוֹם  Edom 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱדֹום 
Sense: Edom.