Definition: And these [are] the sons of Reuel Esau’s son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these [are] the dukes [that came] of Reuel in the land of Edom; these [are] the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 36:17. It’s a really important and slightly complex passage about God's plan for the descendants of Jacob (also known as Israel). Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jacob and his Twelve Sons: In the beginning, Jacob had twelve sons. He had Esau, and his sons multiplied and became a large family. Reuel and Laban: Reuel was Jacob’s brother. He married Laban, who took Jacob and his sons to Hebron (a land in Israel). The Mischief of Isaac: Isaac, Jacob's son, had a dream where God told him that he would have twelve sons. However, Laban tricked Isaac into sacrificing one of his sons to appease God. This is the beginning of the story of the brothers and their conflict. What this Verse Says - It’s About the Next Generation: “And these [are] the sons of Reuel Esau’s son;” – This means that the sons of Reuel (Esau) are the next generation of Jacob’s descendants. It's a straightforward statement about lineage. “Duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these [are] the dukes [that came] of Reuel in the land of Edom;” – This is where it gets a little more interesting. “Dukes” are like rulers or leaders within a family. The verse describes these four sons as being the leaders of a group of descendants who lived in the region of Edom (a place in the east). “These [are] the sons of Bashemath Esau’s wife.” – This says that these dukes are the children of Bashemath. Bashemath was Jacob’s wife. In a Nutshell: This verse tells us that after the conflict with Isaac, Reuel’s descendants (the sons of Reuel) became leaders in the region of Edom. The four sons mentioned – Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah – are among those leaders. It's a foundational part of understanding the history and background of the later generations of Jacob’s family. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of future conflict between the descendants of Reuel and the people of Edom. It sets up a pattern of rivalry that would continue for centuries. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or perhaps explore its significance further? For example, I could: Discuss the meaning of "Edom" Explain the context of the story before this verse (the conflict with Isaac) Talk about how this verse connects to later biblical narratives