Genesis 36:20-30

20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan and Shobal and Zibeon and Anah, 21and Dishon and Ezer and Dishan. These are the chiefs descended from the Horites, the sons of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam; and Lotan’s sister was Timna. 23 These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan and Manahath and Ebal, Shepho and Onam. 24 These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah–he is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness when he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon, and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. 26 These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan and Eshban and Ithran and Cheran. 27 These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan and Zaavan and Akan. 28 These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 These are the chiefs descended from the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah, 30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These are the chiefs descended from the Horites, according to their various chiefs in the land of Seir.

It seems a bit odd that God would even have the writer bother with the descendants of another people. But it’s likely to show where Esau’s wife fits in. She was the daughter (and sister) of two of the chiefs of the Horites, so this was a strong alliance that Esau had made. However, God expected His people to remain pure, and not make alliances, especially by marriage, with the inhabitants around them. They were to be set apart, and Esau had done nothing of the sort. He had set an example to his children that they should just blend in, and become like the Horites (likely idol worshipers or worse). God has called us to be set apart. Set that example for your children in all that you do.

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