Genesis 36-39

     We have all heard people attack the Bible's authority, and a common allegation often comes in the form of a historical discrepancy. Gen. 36:2-3 provides such an instance. So how do we handle discrepancies and difficulties in the Scriptures? As believers we must be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us, and that very well includes defending the Bibles inerrancy. The resolution always come with a careful study of the historical and literary context. Let's examine this passage in that light today.

Genesis 26:34 states that Esau married Judith of Beeri and Basemath of Elon. Genesis 36:2-3 says that he married Adah of Elon, Oholibamah of Anah, and Basemath of Ishmael.  Without close investigation this does not add up. Critics even go beyond the attack of textual corruption for this text and claim the passages are based from two different traditions. So why are these two passages so off?  The answer comes in understanding that Genesis 36 is contextually different from chapter 26 in the fact that it is recording Esau’s generations. This would explain why Judith of Beeri was not mentioned in the latter passage; she must not have born him a child. The daughter of Elon apparently had two names: Basemath and Adah, which was a common custom in that day. So once Esau married Basemath of Ishmael he would have called her by her other name, Adah. (Got to prevent confusion in the house) Oholibamah would have been his fourth wife, and three of those would have born him offspring.

Make sense? Yes, just go ahead and get out a note pad and paper, chart it out. At the end of the day it does add up. Why does the Bible make it this hard sometimes? My guess is as good as yours, but one thing it does show me is that the translators of the ancient manuscripts were diligent. Somebody along the line could have panicked and tried to "fix" and "error," but it never happened. They were that dedicated to accuracy. Now were there scribal errors along the way? Of course, but no where do we ever get collaboration in the Bible. It doesn't bother me when I have to work a little harder to make sense of a passage. It just shows me that text was not "manipulated by men" like so many people off the street will tell you.