In the context of the Bible, the term "dukes" is primarily found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Genesis. The term is used to describe leaders or chiefs of Edomite tribes, descendants of Esau, who was the brother of Jacob. The Hebrew word translated as "dukes" in the Berean Standard Bible is "אלוף" (aluph), which can also mean chief, leader, or commander.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 36:15-19 : "These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. These are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Adah. These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; they are the sons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: Chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. All these are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and they were their chiefs."

2. Genesis 36:40-43 : "These are the names of Esau’s chiefs, according to their families and regions, by their names: Chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. Esau was the father of the Edomites."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The use of the term "dukes" in the Bible reflects the tribal and familial leadership structures common in the ancient Near East. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, were organized into tribes, each led by a chief or duke. This structure was similar to other Semitic peoples of the time, where leadership was often hereditary and based on familial lines.

The Edomites lived in the region south of the Dead Sea, an area known for its rugged terrain and strategic trade routes. The chiefs or dukes played significant roles in maintaining the social and political order within their tribes and in interactions with neighboring peoples, including the Israelites.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of dukes in the Bible underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and prophecies concerning Esau and his descendants. In Genesis 25:23, God tells Rebekah, the mother of Esau and Jacob, that "two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." The emergence of the Edomite chiefs is a testament to the nation that arose from Esau, fulfilling part of this divine prophecy.

The relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites was complex, marked by both kinship and conflict. The Edomites' role as dukes and their interactions with Israel highlight themes of familial rivalry, divine sovereignty, and the unfolding of God's plan through history.

Conclusion:

The concept of dukes in the Bible, particularly in the context of the Edomites, provides insight into the social and political structures of ancient times. It also serves as a reminder of the intricate tapestry of relationships and divine purposes woven throughout the biblical narrative.

The Church and the Heathen
... sermons to his heathen subjects. This dominion had been established under
the protection of the Saxon dukes. But Henry IV's quarrels ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiv the church and.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... These "dukes" corresponded with the "princes" of the tribes of Israel. But
whereas ... Edom. The dukes had to give place to a king. The ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

List of Authorities
... Drummond: The Jewish Messiah. Dukes: Zur Rabbinischen Sprachkunde. Dukes:
Rabbinische Blumenlese. Duschak: Zur Botanik des Talmud. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/list of authorities.htm

The Plenary Inspiration of Every Part of the Bible, vindicated and ...
... You will not pretend to assert that the list of the Dukes of Edom [392] , is as
much inspired,"inspired in the same sense,"as the Gospel of St. ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon iv the plenary inspiration.htm

Here Beginneth the Story of Judith
... having them at great indignation, swore by his reign and by his throne that he would
avenge him on them all, and thereupon called all his dukes, princes, and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here beginneth the story of.htm

The History of Solomon
... After this he assembled all the noblest and greatest of birth of them of Israel,
with the princes of the tribes and dukes of the families, for to bring the Ark ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm

Appendix.
... of the orthodox Lord, Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovitch, of his Consort the Grand
Duchess Mary Pavlovna, and of the orthodox Lords, Grand Dukes: Cyril, Boris ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the general menaion/appendix.htm

The Boy Hugh
... and waters, and have in them the "foot-prints of lost Paradise." Burgundy here owed
some loyalty to the empire rather than to France, and its dukes tried to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter i the boy hugh.htm

The Singer of Pietism
... thousand inhabitants. At one time it had belonged to the German Dukes
of Gottorp, and it was still largely German speaking. Its ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter nine the singer of.htm

Introductory
... He declares roundly that it is the work of sin and the devil. "Who does not know,"
he writes, "that kings and dukes have derived their power from those who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/medley/the church and the empire/introductory.htm

Dukes (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dukes (14 Occurrences). Genesis 36:15 These were
dukes of the sons of Esau: the sons of Eliphaz the firstborn ...
/d/dukes.htm - 10k

Duke (14 Occurrences)
... 1:51 of 'alluph (the American Standard Revised Version and the English Revised Version,
margin "chief"), and in Joshua 13:21 of necikhim ("dukes," the Revised ...
/d/duke.htm - 13k

Descendants (326 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:16 Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes, descendants
of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom: these were the sons of Adah. (WBS). ...
/d/descendants.htm - 35k

Timnah (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:40 And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according
to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah ...
/t/timnah.htm - 13k

Edomites (22 Occurrences)
... The Horite government was in the hands of "dukes" (Genesis 36:29, the Revised
Version (British and American) "chiefs"). They were ...
/e/edomites.htm - 23k

Edom (108 Occurrences)
... The Horite government was in the hands of "dukes" (Genesis 36:29, the Revised
Version (British and American) "chiefs"). They were ...
/e/edom.htm - 53k

Dulcimer (3 Occurrences)

/d/dulcimer.htm - 8k

Zaavan (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Terror, one of the "dukes of Edom" (Genesis 36:27); called
also Zavan (1 Chronicles 1:42). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZAAVAN. ...
/z/zaavan.htm - 7k

Uz (8 Occurrences)
... (1.) The son of Aram, and grandson of Shem (Genesis 10:23; 1 Chronicles 1:17).
(2.) One of the Horite "dukes" in the land of Edom (Genesis 36:28). ...
/u/uz.htm - 14k

Jaalam (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:18 And these are the sons of Aholibamah Esau's wife; duke Jeush, duke
Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter ...
/j/jaalam.htm - 7k

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