Genesis 36:1  “…Esau, who is Edom”
Given name of Esau, referred to as Edom or red.  Commentaries say reference to his color when he was born, but also possibly a reference to the red stew which he traded for his birthright.  His descendants are referred to as Edomites.

6-8  “…Esau…went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob…Esau dwelt in Mount Seir…”
Not sure of the timeline on this.  He was there when Jacob returned from Syria, and Jacob didn’t have anything other than what Isaac would leave him when he left.  Perhaps that is what is meant.  Esau knew he would not receive the birthright so he moved his stuff away.  Mount Seir is south southeast of Israel below the dead sea.  Commentary suggests he probably had moved some of his stuff there before Jacob returned due to the connections of his wives.  After Jacob returned it was obvious there wasn’t room for both so he moved everything there.  This clears the land for Jacob, receiver of the promise, and sets up Esau who was also given a nation of descendants.  I’m sure if he decided to follow God and pass on that faith to his children, God would have honored him and protected his legacy.

14  “…sons of Aholibamah, Esau’s wife…”
Something I’ve noticed in the description of genealogies in scripture.  Children are often given as sons of their mothers, especially when the father had multiple wives.  Problem comes when trying to determine if someone mentioned was a man or woman based on the name given.  Scripture also sometimes skips a generation or so which further adds to the difficulty.  However, I have faith in the text, so even if we can’t know specifically who was born to who or when, we can trust the outcome and know the genealogy is correct.

15  “…The sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau, were Chief Teman, Chief Omar…”
Further indications that these early patriarchs were tribal people.  This type of culture still exists in that area of the world today.

20  “…sons of Seir the Horite…”
Commentary says these were natives of Seir who were incorporated into the Edomite family.

12, 22  “Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son…sons of Seir the Horite who inhabited the land: Lotan…Lotan’s sister was Timna”
Connection given between the families.

43  “…Esau was the father of the Edomites”
Chapter ends with the statement of the creation of the Edomites.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.