The Descendants of Esau: Following the report of Isaac’s death (35:27–29), the narrative records the genealogy (toledoth) of his two sons, Esau (36:1–43) and Jacob (37:1–2). As with Ishmael (25:13–18) and Isaac (25:19–20), the genealogy of the son who is not the direct heir of God’s special promises to Abraham appears before that of the son who is the heir of that promise.

These lists contain seventy personal names, including five women. The names are Semitic. Five different lists are divided into two groups marked by the repetition of the toledoth formula. The repetition of this formula (vv. 1 and 9) is most unusual, suggesting that these two lists are to be read in tandem. “Esau, father of Edom” (vv. 9, 43) frames the second toledoth section, which contains four separate lists of the sons…