Definition: And these [are] the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 36:13. It’s a really important part of understanding how God’s plan unfolded in the beginning. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Story: Genesis 36:12-20 describes a story about a conflict between Jacob and his brother Esau. Jacob tricked Esau into letting him pursue his beloved Leah. During this chase, Esau accidentally killed his brother, Jacob, in a fight. The Aftermath: After the murder, God decided to create a family line – a group of sons. He chose to have three sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. What this verse says: “And these [are] the sons of Reuel; Nahath, and Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah: these were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.” Reuel: This is a very old name in the Bible. It means “descendant” or “son.” It’s connected to God's creation. Bashemath: This was Esau's wife, and she had a child named Reuel. The Sons: The verse names these three sons: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. “These were the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.” This is crucial! It tells us that Bashemath Esau's wife (who was also Esau’s sister) is the mother of these three sons. This is a key detail in understanding God's plan and how the lineage started. In simpler terms: “These are the children of Jacob’s brother, Bashemath Esau’s wife. These three boys were born from the same father.” Why it's important: It establishes a family line: This verse links the beginning of humanity to a specific family – the descendants of Jacob’s brother. Highlights God's plan: It shows that God intentionally created a whole lineage, even though there was conflict between two brothers. He chose to create this family to fulfill his purpose. Does it explain anything about the story? Absolutely! It sets up the foundation for the rest of Genesis – the creation of humanity and the subsequent events that follow. It's a foundational part of understanding God’s plan to establish a new beginning for humankind. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Discuss the significance of the story it precedes?