7 Their possessions were too great for them to remain together; the land where they were staying could not support them both because of their livestock.
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.
7 For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.
7 The brothers had too many possessions to live together in the same place; the land couldn't support their combined herds of livestock.
7 For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock.
7 There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired.
8 So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.
8 Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom.
8 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. ( Esau is Edom.)
8 So Esau ended up settling in the hill country of Seir (Esau and Edom are the same).
8 So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.
8 So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir.
Esau and his descendants.
The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the covenant get the start. We may suppose it a 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. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, Luke 16:25; while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 36:7
Chapter Contents
Esau and his descendants.
The registers in this chapter show the faithfulness of God to his promise to Abraham. Esau is here called Edom, that name which kept up the remembrance of his selling his birth-right for a mess of pottage. Esau continued the same profane despiser of heavenly things. In outward prosperity and honour, the children of the covenant are often behind, and those that are out of the covenant get the start. We may suppose it a 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. Mount Seir is called the land of their possession. Canaan was at this time only the land of promise. Seir was in the possession of the Edomites. The children of this world have their all in hand, and nothing in hope, Luke 16:25; while the children of God have their all in hope, and next to nothing in hand. But, all things considered, it is beyond compare better to have Canaan in promise, than mount Seir in possession.