Esau’s Bride

At our Bible study the other night, a question came up about Esau’s motivations for marrying from amongst the daughter of Israel (Genesis 28:89). One stated view was completely opposite from the other point of view. A third point of view arose which was that this was a complex situation and both points of view could have motivated Esau. Ultimately this disagreement was handled appropriately by all concerned.

This post explains what the views were. It examines the situation which occurred and how it was resolved. Finally, this post explains why it may not really matter.

Esau had already taken two wives from among the Hittites. (Genesis 26:34) These women apparently did not get along with Rachel, their mother-in-law. (Genesis 26:35) She was so adamant about this situation not repeating itself that she gets her husband to send her other son, Jacob, back to the place where she was from, in order to avoid marrying the local Canaanite women. (Genesis 27:46 – Genesis 28:7)

We read that Esau sees this and marries the daughter of Ishmael named Mahalath. (Genesis 28:8) Ishmael was the first son we read of being born to Abraham. (Genesis 16:15) We also know Ishmael’s took a wife from Egypt and settled in the wilderness of Paran. (Genesis 21:21)

One point of view (and the one which is most commonly expressed) is that Esau was attempting to curry favor with his parents. This point of view points out a few important details. First, Ishmael’s daughter was family, so just as Isaac sent Joseph to marry from within Rebekah’s family, by marrying Ishmael’s daughter, Esau was “keeping it in the family.” This view also points out that Esau “sought repentance with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17)

Another point of view is that Esau was intentionally marrying local people to spite his parents. This point of view states that the wilderness of Paran where Ishmael settled was in fact part of Canaan (Genesis 15:8). It points out that the Hebrews passage is entirely in the context of Esau selling his birthright and makes it clear that Esau was evil and does not specify the time frame for his failed attempt at repentance. (Hebrews 12:16 and 17). Finally, this position posits that Esau.

The third point of view is that both ideas, contradictory as they may be, could have been in the mind of Esau at various points. Marriage is not something that happens all at once. It possible that Esau realized that his gambit would not work, causing him to go ahead, especially since he obviously had a strained relationship with his Mother who conspired against him to block his inheritance.

All these points of view are valid interpretations of Genesis 28. There simply is not enough scriptural evidence to prove one view or another. It is another example of things that are fun to debate, but really do not matter when it comes to our salvation. Thank the Lord that we have all things we need to know for life and Godliness. (2 Peter 1:3)