Do Biblical genealogies make your eyes glaze over? This week’s Edomite genealogy, filled with subtle treasures, just might change your mind (Gen. 36:9-43).

Women appear frequently as men are identified by the names of their mothers, sisters, and wives. Two women, Timna and Oholibamah, are named as chiefs of a clan. Were the Edomites more egalitarian than the Israelites? When Leah‘s daughter Dina “goes out to see the local women,” is she visiting with friends who have a great deal of social freedom?

Eight Edomite kings, who reigned before the Israelite kings, are named. The first is Bela ben Beor – whose Hebrew name differs from that of the seer Balaam ben Beor by only one letter. Are they the same person, a miraculously long-lived magician from a royal line, who can’t help but bless the Israelite tents? No, says commentator Ibn Ezra. Bela was an Edomite while Balaam was an Aramean. And despite the midrashic view that Balaam is the same person as Laban the Aramean, common sense says he is not – though both did meet God in dreams.

Anah discovered mules living in the wilderness while he was shepherding his father’s donkeys. For Anah‘s time, commentator Ramban says, the discovery that horses could mate with donkeys was considered wise. Only later did people understand that mules would be sterile; hence Torah’s later teaching that mixing species is a bad idea.

Esau‘s son Reu’el named his children Nachat, Zerach, Shamah and Mizeh. Their names mean: “Joy,” “Shone” “There” “From This.” Was Reu’el happy to have children or what? Did his children feel pressured or appreciated? Would you give your children names like these?

Smile – and may joy shine in your heart.

Image: Philip Trauring, bloodandfrogs.com

For more reflections on Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), click here.