The sons of Seir:
Seir is a mountainous region located in Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea. It is named after Seir the Horite, whose descendants inhabited the land before the Edomites. The Horites were a group of people mentioned in the Bible as early inhabitants of the region. The name "Seir" is often associated with rugged terrain, and the area is significant in biblical history as the land given to Esau, Jacob's brother, and his descendants, the Edomites. This connection to Esau is important as it highlights the ongoing relationship and tension between the descendants of Jacob and Esau.

Lotan:
Lotan is listed as the first son of Seir. The name Lotan may be related to the Hebrew word for "covering" or "enveloping." Lotan's descendants are mentioned in Genesis 36, where his sons Hori and Hemam are noted. The mention of Lotan and his family underscores the integration and influence of the Horites within the Edomite lineage, as they were eventually absorbed by Esau's descendants.

Shobal:
Shobal is another son of Seir, and his name means "flowing" or "overflowing." In Genesis 36, Shobal is noted as the father of several clans, including Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. The mention of Shobal and his descendants highlights the complex intermingling of tribes and families in the region, contributing to the diverse cultural and ethnic landscape of Edom.

Zibeon:
Zibeon is a son of Seir, and his name means "hyena" or "wild beast." He is also mentioned in Genesis 36, where he is noted as the father of Anah and Aiah. Zibeon's lineage is significant because his daughter, Oholibamah, becomes one of Esau's wives, further intertwining the Horite and Edomite lines. This connection illustrates the blending of cultures and the strategic alliances formed through marriage in ancient times.

Anah:
Anah is listed as a son of Seir, though in some genealogies, he is noted as a grandson through Zibeon. Anah is known for discovering hot springs in the wilderness while tending to his father's donkeys, as mentioned in Genesis 36. This discovery is a notable event, as it highlights the resourcefulness and adaptability of the people living in the harsh desert environment.

Dishon:
Dishon is another son of Seir, and his name means "thresher" or "swift." In Genesis 36, Dishon is noted as the father of several clans, including Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran. The mention of Dishon and his descendants emphasizes the expansion and establishment of various tribes within the region, contributing to the socio-political structure of Edom.

Ezer:
Ezer is a son of Seir, and his name means "treasure" or "help." Ezer's descendants are mentioned in Genesis 36, where his sons Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan are noted. The inclusion of Ezer in the genealogy underscores the importance of family lineage and heritage in maintaining identity and continuity among the tribes of Edom.

Dishan:
Dishan, also known as Dishon in some texts, is the final son of Seir mentioned in this verse. His name means "antelope" or "gazelle." In Genesis 36, Dishan is noted as the father of Uz and Aran. The repetition of similar names like Dishon and Dishan in the genealogies reflects the common practice of naming within families, which can sometimes lead to confusion in biblical records. Dishan's mention concludes the list of Seir's sons, highlighting the foundational role of these individuals in the development of the Horite and Edomite peoples.

1. Seir
A mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites, descendants of Esau. Seir is also the name of a Horite chief, indicating a connection to the land and its people.

2. Lotan
One of the sons of Seir, Lotan is a Horite chief. His descendants are part of the early inhabitants of Edom.

3. Shobal
Another son of Seir, Shobal is also a Horite chief. His lineage is significant in the genealogical records of Edom.

4. Zibeon
A son of Seir, Zibeon is noted as a Horite chief. His family line is part of the broader account of the Edomites.

5. Anah
A son of Seir, Anah is a Horite chief. He is mentioned in other genealogical records, indicating his importance in the lineage.

6. Dishon
Another son of Seir, Dishon is a Horite chief. His descendants are part of the Edomite genealogy.

7. Ezer
A son of Seir, Ezer is a Horite chief. His lineage contributes to the history of the Edomites.

8. Dishan
The last son of Seir mentioned in this verse, Dishan is a Horite chief. His descendants are included in the genealogical records of Edom.Understanding Genealogies
Genealogies in the Bible serve to connect historical accounts and demonstrate God's faithfulness through generations. They remind us of the importance of heritage and God's sovereignty over history.

The Role of the Edomites
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, play a significant role in biblical history. Understanding their lineage helps us see the broader account of God's plan and the fulfillment of His promises.

God's Sovereignty in History
The inclusion of various genealogies in Scripture underscores God's control and purpose throughout history. It encourages believers to trust in God's plan for their own lives.

Lessons from the Past
Studying the genealogies and histories of different peoples in the Bible can teach us about the consequences of actions and the importance of aligning with God's will.

Unity and Division
The relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites serves as a reminder of the potential for division among relatives and the need for reconciliation and unity in Christ.(38-42) The sons of Seir (from Genesis 36:20-30).--There is no apparent link between this series and the preceding. Comparison of Genesis 36:20 shows that Seir represents the indigenous inhabitants of Edom ("the inhabitants of the land," comp. Joshua 7:9) before its conquest by the sons of Esau. In time a fusion of the two races would result, the tribes of each being governed by their own chieftains, as is indicated by Genesis 36:20-21, where the seven sons of Seir (1Chronicles 1:38) are called "chiliarchs of the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom." Deuteronomy 2:22 implies not the actual extermination of the Horites (Troglodytes or Cave-dwellers) by their Semitic invaders, the sons of Esau, but only their entire subjugation. The differences of spelling noticed in the margin are unimportant as regards the names Zephi (1Chronicles 1:36), Homam (1Chronicles 1:39), and Alian and Shephi (1Chronicles 1:40); the note on Ebal-Obal (1Chronicles 1:22) explains them. The written w and y in Hebrew are so similar as to be perpetually confounded with each other by careless copyists. The same fact accounts for the missing conjunction and in 1Chronicles 1:42, which is expressed in Hebrew by simply prefixing the letter w to a word. The w in this case having been misread, and transcribed as y, the name Jakan (Yaqan) resulted. The Aqan (not Achan) of Genesis 36:2 is correct. (So some MSS., the LXX., and Arabic.) Amram, in 1Chronicles 1:41, is a mistake of the Authorised version. The Hebrew has Hamran, which differs only by one consonant from the Hemdan of Genesis 36:26; a difference due to the common confusion of the Hebrew letters d and r, already exemplified in 1Chronicles 1:6-7 (Riphath--Diphath, Dodanim--Rodanim). Many MSS. and the Arabic read Hemdan here. . . . Verses 38-42. - F. LIST OF DESCENDANTS OF SEIR. These verses contain the names of seven sons of Seir and one daughter, and of grandsons through every one of the seven sons, viz. two through Lotan the first, five through Shobal the second, two through Zibeon the third, one through Anah the fourth, four through Dishon the fifth, three through Ezar the sixth, and two through Dishan the seventh, - twenty-six names in all, or, including the one daughter, who is introduced as Lotan's sister, twenty-seven. The first question which arises is, who Seir was, now first mentioned here. He is called in Genesis 36:20 "Seir the Horite," and the only previous mention of the name Seir in that chapter is in ver. 8, "Thus dwelt Esau in mount Seir: Esau is Edom;" while we read in Genesis 14:6, "The Horites in mount Self;" in Genesis 32:3, "To the land of Seir, the country of Edom." For anything we know of the person Self, then, we are confined to these two notices - that in Genesis 36:20 and the one in our text. The name signifies "rough;" and whether Seir. the person, took the name from Seir, the place (a mountain district, reaching from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf), or vice versa, it would seem plain that the proper name belonged to the head of the tribe, which had become located there, and was, of course, not in the line of Abraham. This tribe, called Horites - Hori being the name of Seir's eldest grandson - or Troglodytes, acquired their name from hollowing out dwellings in the rocks, as at Petra. They were visited evidently by Esau: he married at least one of his wives from them; and his descendants, the Edomites, in due time dispossessed and superseded them (Deuteronomy 2:12). No doubt some were left behind, and contentedly submitted to the Edomites and became mingled with them. These considerations put together account for the introduction here of the names of Seir and his twenty-seven descendants, while the particulars of their genealogy, so far as here given, would lie easily to hand. The sons of Seir are called in Genesis also "dukes" (אַלּוּפֵי), a word answered to by the later "sheikhs;" and they are called "dukes of the Horites," or "the dukes of Hori, among their dukes in the land of Self." The twenty-six or twenty-seven names under notice agree in the Authorized Version entirely with those in Genesis 36:20-27, except that for Homam, Allan, Shephi, Amram, and Jakan here, we have Hemam, Alvan, Shepho, Hemdan, and Akau there. Also in the Hebrew the texts agree in the two places as regards these names, with the same exceptions. But in the Septuagint the names differ much more in the two places. Thus for Ωσὰρ, Δισάν (or Λισάν),Ἀλὼν Ταιβὴλ Σωφὶ Ωνάν, Αιθ Σωνὰν Δαισὼν Ἐμερὼν Ἀσεβὼν, Ἰεθρὰμ, and Ακάν here, we have Ἀσὰρ, Ῥισὼν Γωλὰμ Γαιβὴλ Σωφὰρ Ωμὰρ Ἀίε, Ἀνά Δησὼν Ἀμαδὰ Ἀσβὰν Ἰθρὰν, and Ἱουκάμ there. When the name of Anah is reached in Genesis, it is added, "This was that Anah that found the mules [אֶת־הַיַּבִים, more probably 'hot springs,' as the finder of which Anah is supposed to have been called Beeri] in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon, his father." And again, when Dishon is mentioned as the son of Anah, there is added, "And Aholi-bamah the daughter of Anah." Note is made of her name, no doubt, for the same kind of reason as Timna is mentioned above. Aholibamah (i.q. "Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite," Genesis 26:34) enjoys notice inasmuch as she became the wife of Esau; and Timna, as she became the concubine of Esau's son Eliphaz, and thereby the mother of Amalek.

Parallel Commentaries ...


The sons
וּבְנֵ֣י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Seir:
שֵׂעִ֔יר (śê·‘îr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8165: Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhabitants, also a mountain in Judah

Lotan,
לוֹטָ֥ן (lō·w·ṭān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3877: Lotan -- a son of Seir

Shobal,
וְשׁוֹבָ֖ל (wə·šō·w·ḇāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7732: Shobal -- 'flowing', an Edomite, also two Israelites

Zibeon,
וְצִבְע֣וֹן (wə·ṣiḇ·‘ō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6649: Zibeon -- 'hyena', a Horite

Anah,
וַֽעֲנָ֑ה (wa·‘ă·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6034: Anah -- two Horites

Dishon,
וְדִישֹׁ֥ן (wə·ḏî·šōn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1787: Dishon -- two Edomites

Ezer,
וְאֵ֖צֶר (wə·’ê·ṣer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 687: Ezer -- 'treasure', a chief of the Horites

and Dishan.
וְדִישָֽׁן׃ (wə·ḏî·šān)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1789: Dishan -- an Edomite


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 1:38 The sons of Seir: Lotan and Shobal (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)