Genesis 36:7
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired.

English Standard Version
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together. The land of their sojournings could not support them because of their livestock.

Berean Standard Bible
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
For their possessions had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they resided could not support them because of their livestock.

NASB 1995
For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.

NASB 1977
For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.

Legacy Standard Bible
For their possessions had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock.

Amplified Bible
For their [great flocks and herds and] possessions made it impossible for them to live together [in the same region]; the land in which they lived temporarily could not support them because of their livestock.

Christian Standard Bible
For their possessions were too many for them to live together, and because of their herds, the land where they stayed could not support them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For their possessions were too many for them to live together, and because of their herds, the land where they stayed could not support them.

American Standard Version
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojournings could not bear them because of their cattle.

Contemporary English Version
He did this because the land was too crowded and could not support him and his brother with their flocks and herds.

English Revised Version
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojournings could not bear them because of their cattle.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He did this because they had too many possessions to live together. There wasn't enough pastureland for all of their livestock.

Good News Translation
He left because the land where he and Jacob were living was not able to support them; they had too much livestock and could no longer stay together.

International Standard Version
because their holdings were too vast to allow them to stay together, since the land where they had settled was not able to support all of their livestock.

Majority Standard Bible
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock.

NET Bible
because they had too many possessions to be able to stay together and the land where they had settled was not able to support them because of their livestock.

New Heart English Bible
For their possessions were too great for them to remain together, and the land in which they were traveling could not support them because of their livestock.

Webster's Bible Translation
For their riches were more than that they might dwell together: and the land wherein they were strangers could not sustain them, because of their cattle.

World English Bible
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together, and the land of their travels couldn’t bear them because of their livestock.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for their substance was more abundant than to dwell together, and the land of their sojournings was not able to bear them because of their livestock;

Young's Literal Translation
for their substance was more abundant than to dwell together, and the land of their sojournings was not able to bear them because of their cattle;

Smith's Literal Translation
For their possessions were much above dwelling together; and the land of their sojournings will not be able to bear them from the face of their possessions.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For they were exceeding rich, and could not dwell together: neither was the land in which they sojourned able to bear them, for the multitude of their flocks.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For they were very wealthy and were not able to live together. Neither was the land of their sojourn able to sustain them, because of the multitude of their flocks.

New American Bible
Their possessions had become too great for them to dwell together, and the land in which they were residing could not support them because of their livestock.

New Revised Standard Version
For their possessions were too great for them to live together; the land where they were staying could not support them because of their livestock.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For their wealth was too great for them to dwell together; and the land in which they sojourned could not sustain them because of their cattle.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because their cattle were too abundant to dwell together and the land that they inhabited was not sufficient to contain them, because of their cattle.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojournings could not bear them because of their cattle.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For their substance was too great for them to dwell together; and the land of their sojourning could not bear them, because of the abundance of their possessions.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Esau's Descendants
6Later, Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the people of his household, along with his livestock, all his other animals, and all the property he had acquired in Canaan, and he moved to a land far away from his brother Jacob. 7For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock. 8So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.…

Cross References
Genesis 13:6
But the land was unable to support both of them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to coexist.

Genesis 13:11-12
So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself and set out toward the east. And Abram and Lot parted company. / Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Genesis 17:8
And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 26:14
He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.

Genesis 31:18
and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan.

Genesis 32:3
Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

Genesis 33:9
“I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.”

Genesis 34:23
Will not their livestock, their possessions, and all their animals become ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell among us.”

Genesis 36:6
Later, Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the people of his household, along with his livestock, all his other animals, and all the property he had acquired in Canaan, and he moved to a land far away from his brother Jacob.

Exodus 12:38
And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

Numbers 32:1
Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.

Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

Joshua 22:8
saying, “Return to your homes with your great wealth, with immense herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze, iron, and very many clothes. Divide with your brothers the spoil of your enemies.”

1 Chronicles 5:9
They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 5:21
They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also took 100,000 captives,


Treasury of Scripture

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.

their riches.

Genesis 13:6,11
And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together…

the land.

Genesis 17:8
And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Genesis 28:4
And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

Jump to Previous
Able Abundant Bear Cattle Couldn't Dwell Enough Great Livestock Property Riches Sojourned Sojourners Sojournings Staying Strangers Substance Support Sustain Together Travels Wealth Wherein Wide
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Able Abundant Bear Cattle Couldn't Dwell Enough Great Livestock Property Riches Sojourned Sojourners Sojournings Staying Strangers Substance Support Sustain Together Travels Wealth Wherein Wide
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.














For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together
This phrase highlights the abundance of wealth and resources that Esau and Jacob had accumulated. The Hebrew word for "possessions" is "רְכוּשׁ" (rekhush), which implies not just material wealth but also the blessings and favor of God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wealth was often measured by livestock, land, and servants, indicating God's provision and blessing. The phrase "too great" underscores the magnitude of their wealth, suggesting that God's blessings were so abundant that they exceeded the capacity of the land. This abundance reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and their descendants, emphasizing the faithfulness of God in providing for His people.

the land where they stayed could not support them
The "land" refers to the region of Canaan, a land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants. The Hebrew word for "land" is "אֶרֶץ" (erets), which can mean earth, land, or territory. This specific land was significant in the biblical narrative as it was the land of promise, a symbol of God's covenant with His people. The inability of the land to "support" them due to their vast possessions and livestock indicates the physical limitations of the land, despite its richness. This situation necessitated a separation between Esau and Jacob, which was part of God's divine plan to establish the nation of Israel through Jacob.

because of their livestock
The term "livestock" in Hebrew is "מִקְנֶה" (miqneh), which includes cattle, sheep, goats, and other domesticated animals. Livestock was a primary measure of wealth and prosperity in the ancient world, essential for sustenance, trade, and offerings to God. The abundance of livestock signifies not only material wealth but also the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Abraham's descendants and bless them. The need for separation due to the livestock's requirements for grazing and water resources illustrates the practical challenges of managing God's blessings and the importance of stewardship. This phrase also foreshadows the future growth and expansion of Jacob's lineage, leading to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

(7) The land wherein they were strangers.--The large growth of their wealth made the separation of Esau and Jacob as inevitable as had been that of Abraham and Lot. It is a usual incident in the life of nomads, and a tribe can multiply only to the extent of the capabilities of their district to support them. When this is reached, one portion of the tribe must seek a new home. This necessity was in the present case aggravated by Esau and Jacob being only sojourners in Canaan, surrounded by tribes who claimed to be owners of the soil: and this may have helped in determining Esau's choice; for in right of Aholibamah, he was in her country a duke. Maimonides also observes, that though Esau had gone on hunting expeditions to Seir, and even possibly for plunder, yet that he was not sufficiently powerful to take possession of the country until by Isaac's death the number of his retainers was largely multiplied.

Verse 7. - For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers - literally, of their wanderings (cf. Genesis 28:4; Genesis 37:1) - could not bear them because of their cattle. This does not necessarily imply that Jacob was established in Canaan before Esau removed. Esau may have recognized the impossibility of two so rich and powerful chieftains as himself and his brother occupying Canaan, and may have retired Before Jacob actually took possession (Keil, Inglis).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

their possessions
רְכוּשָׁ֛ם (rə·ḵū·šām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7399: Property, goods

were
הָיָ֧ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

too great
רָ֖ב (rāḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

for them to dwell
מִשֶּׁ֣בֶת (miš·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

together;
יַחְדָּ֑ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

the land
אֶ֤רֶץ (’e·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

where they stayed
מְגֽוּרֵיהֶם֙ (mə·ḡū·rê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4033: A sojourning place, dwelling place, a sojourning

could
יָֽכְלָ֜ה (yā·ḵə·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

not
וְלֹ֨א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

support them
לָשֵׂ֣את (lā·śêṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

because
מִפְּנֵ֖י (mip·pə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of their livestock.
מִקְנֵיהֶֽם׃ (miq·nê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4735: Something bought, property, livestock, acquisition


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OT Law: Genesis 36:7 For their substance was too great (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 36:6
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