Genesis 36:29

Summary

Genesis 36:29 lists the tribal chiefs of the Horites, naming four individuals — Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, and Anah — each introduced by the title "chief." The verse forms part of a genealogical catalog structured as a repeated formula.

Key words

• 'Elleh ("these", H0428) — demonstrative particle opening the list, pointing forward to the names that follow.
• 'Alluphei ("chiefs of", H0441B) — masculine plural construct form, linking the title grammatically to ha-Chori ("the Horite"); the construct state indicates possession ("chiefs belonging to the Horite [people]").
• ha-Chori ("the Horite", H2752) — gentilic noun with definite article, naming the ethnic group to which the chiefs belong.
• 'Alluph ("chief", H0441B) — masculine singular, repeated four times before each proper name, functioning as a title rather than a construct here.
• 'Anah ("Anah", H6034) — proper name closing the list, masculine singular.

What the text says

The verse opens with the demonstrative 'Elleh ("these"), a common formula in Genesis genealogies that signals the start or continuation of a list. It is followed by 'Alluphei ("chiefs of"), in the construct plural form, which grammatically binds to ha-Chori ("the Horite"), producing the sense "chiefs of the Horite [people]." This construct phrase functions as a heading for the list that follows.

After the heading, the singular form 'Alluph ("chief") is repeated four times, once before each personal name: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, and Anah. Unlike the plural construct in the heading, each singular 'Alluph stands independently before its name, forming a title-plus-name pattern ("chief Lotan," "chief Shobal," etc.) rather than a continued construct chain. This repetitive structure is typical of Hebrew genealogical lists, where a title is restated before each name rather than relying on ellipsis.

Differences between versions

The Hebrew text repeats 'Alluph ("chief") before each name individually. The LXX (Swete) follows this pattern closely, repeating ἡγεμών ("chief/leader") before each name. The Vulgate also repeats dux ("leader") before each name, matching the Hebrew structure. The BSB, however, condenses the repetition into a single plural "Chiefs" followed by a list of names without repeating the title, a stylistic simplification not present in the Hebrew, LXX, or Vulgate.