Genesis 36:2

Esau took his wives. The names of Esau’s three wives as here given differ from those of the previous list (chs. 26:34; 28:9). In one instance the father’s name and nationality vary also.

Differences between the two lists are easily accounted for. (1) In harmony with an ancient Oriental custom still followed by the Arabs, a man may be known by different surnames at successive periods of his life, each name being based on some important experience or event. Abram, for instance, became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, and Esau became Edom (chs. 17:5, 15; 35:10; 25:30). As a rule women received new names at marriage, a custom that would account for the differences in the names of two of Esau’s wives. (2) In the case of Judith and Aholibamah, the name of the wife, together with that of her father and his nationality, differs. As a rule childless wives are not mentioned in genealogical lists. It is therefore to be inferred that Judith died childless and Esau married a Hivite woman in her stead (cf. ch. 34:2). Aholibamah means “tent of the high place,” Anah, “answering,” Adah, “ornament.” The name Zibeon may possibly be related to the Hebrew word for hyena, but since he was a Hivite, his name may not have been Semitic at all. For the meanings of the other names, see the references as listed.