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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 28:9 Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/28-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/01_Gen_28_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 28:9 - Esau Marries Mahalath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/28-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/28-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/28.htm">Chapter 28</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/28-8.htm" title="Genesis 28:8">◄</a> Genesis 28:9 <a href="/genesis/28-10.htm" title="Genesis 28:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/28.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />so he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Ishmael son of Abraham, in addition to the wives he already had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Esau visited his uncle Ishmael’s family and married one of Ishmael’s daughters, in addition to the wives he already had. His new wife’s name was Mahalath. She was the sister of Nebaioth and the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Esau went to Ishmael and took as his wife, besides the wives he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham&#8217s son, the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife, besides the wives that he had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and [to appease his parents] Esau went to [the family of] Ishmael and took as his wife, in addition to the wives he [already] had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth [Ishmael’s firstborn son].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so Esau went to Ishmael and married, in addition to his other wives, Mahalath daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son. She was the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />so Esau went to Ishmael and married, in addition to his other wives, Mahalath daughter of Ishmael, Abraham&#8217s son. She was the sister of Nebaioth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and Esau went unto Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So he married Ishmael's daughter Mahalath, who was the sister of Nebaioth and the granddaughter of Abraham. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and Esau went unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So he went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth, in addition to the wives he had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So he went to Ishmael son of Abraham and married his daughter Mahalath, who was the sister of Nebaioth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />so he went to Abraham's son Ishmael and married Ishmael's daughter Mahalath, who was the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham?s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael, along with the wives he already had. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Esau went to Ishmael, and took, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then went Esau to Ishmael, and took to the wives which he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So Esau went to Ishmael, and took, in addition to the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Esau goes to Ishmael, and takes Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, sister of Nebajoth, to his wives, to himself, for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Esau goeth unto Ishmael, and taketh Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, sister of Nebajoth, unto his wives, to himself, for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Esau will go to Ishmael, and will take Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, sister of Nebajoth, to his wives, to him for a wife.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He went to Ismael, and took to wife, besides them he had before, Maheleth the daughter of Ismael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nabajoth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />he went to Ishmael, and he took as a wife, beside those he had before, Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />so Esau went to Ishmael, and in addition to the wives he had, married Mahalath, the daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, and sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Esau went to Ishmael, Abraham's son, and took Bismath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebioth, to be his wife, in addition to his other wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Esau went on to Ishmayl and he took Besmath, daughter of Ishmayl, son of Abraham, the sister of Nebiuth, in addition to his wives, as a wife for himself.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />so Esau went unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives that he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Esau went to Ismael, and took Maeleth the daughter of Ismael, the son of Abraam, the sister of Nabeoth, a wife in addition to his <i>other</i> wives.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/28-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=6786" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/28.htm">Esau Marries Mahalath</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6215.htm" title="6215: ‘ê·śāw (N-proper-ms) -- Apparently a form of the passive participle of asah in the original sense of handling; rough; Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity.">Esau</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3458.htm" title="3458: yiš·mā·‘êl (N-proper-ms) -- From shama' and 'el; God will hear; Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites.">Ishmael</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">and married</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4258.htm" title="4258: mā·ḥă·laṯ (N-proper-fs) -- The same as machalath; sickness; Machalath, the name of an Ishmaelitess and of an Israelitess.">Mahalath,</a> <a href="/hebrew/269.htm" title="269: ’ă·ḥō·wṯ (N-fsc) -- Sister. Irregular feminine of 'ach; a sister (like 'Ezrachiy), literally and figuratively).">the sister</a> <a href="/hebrew/5032.htm" title="5032: nə·ḇā·yō·wṯ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Nbayoth; feminine plural from nuwb; fruitfulnesses; Nebajoth, a son of Ismael, and the country settled by him.">of Nebaioth</a> <a href="/hebrew/1323.htm" title="1323: baṯ- (N-fsc) -- Daughter. From banah; a daughter.">and daughter</a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">of Abraham’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3458.htm" title="3458: yiš·mā·‘êl (N-proper-ms) -- From shama' and 'el; God will hear; Jishmael, the name of Abraham's oldest son, and of five Israelites.">Ishmael,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in addition to</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: lə·’iš·šāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">the wives</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">he already had.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34-35</a></span><br />When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. / And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/36-2.htm">Genesis 36:2-3</a></span><br />Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, / and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Genesis 24:3</a></span><br />and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-46.htm">Genesis 27:46</a></span><br />Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a Hittite wife from among them, what good is my life?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Genesis 25:13-16</a></span><br />These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, / Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-21.htm">Genesis 21:21</a></span><br />And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-37.htm">Genesis 24:37-38</a></span><br />My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, / but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19</a></span><br />But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a></span><br />On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— / the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, / Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-3</a></span><br />Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-1.htm">Genesis 29:1-3</a></span><br />Jacob resumed his journey and came to the land of the people of the east. / He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. / When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-3</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Genesis 31:1-3</a></span><br />Now Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken away all that belonged to our father and built all this wealth at our father’s expense.” / And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed. / Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-1.htm">Genesis 32:1-3</a></span><br />Jacob also went on his way, and the angels of God met him. / When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is the camp of God.” So he named that place Mahanaim. / Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then went Esau to Ishmael, and took to the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.</p><p class="hdg">unto Ishmael.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Genesis 25:13-17</a></b></br> And these <i>are</i> the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Genesis 36:3,13,18</a></b></br> And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth… </p><p class="hdg">Mahalath.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Genesis 36:3</a></b></br> And Bashemath Ishmael's daughter, sister of Nebajoth.</p><p class="hdg">the sister.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/28-4.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/genesis/14-12.htm">Addition</a> <a href="/genesis/26-1.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Esau</a> <a href="/genesis/25-17.htm">Ishmael</a> <a href="/genesis/25-17.htm">Ish'mael</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Mahalath</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-18.htm">Ma'halath</a> <a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Married</a> <a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Nebaioth</a> <a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Neba'ioth</a> <a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Nebajoth</a> <a href="/genesis/26-9.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/28-6.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/1-32.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/genesis/29-27.htm">Addition</a> <a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/genesis/29-6.htm">Daughter</a> <a href="/genesis/32-3.htm">Esau</a> <a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Ishmael</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-25.htm">Ish'mael</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-18.htm">Mahalath</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/11-18.htm">Ma'halath</a> <a href="/genesis/29-26.htm">Married</a> <a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Nebaioth</a> <a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Neba'ioth</a> <a href="/genesis/36-3.htm">Nebajoth</a> <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Sister</a> <a href="/genesis/29-21.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/genesis/30-26.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-1.htm">Isaac blesses Jacob, and sends him to Padan-aram.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-6.htm">Esau marries Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-10.htm">Jacob journeys, and has a vision of a ladder.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-18.htm">The stone of Bethel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/28-20.htm">Jacob's vow.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/28.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/28.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Esau went to Ishmael</b><br>Esau's decision to go to Ishmael reflects his attempt to align himself with a branch of the family that was also descended from Abraham, though not through the line of promise. Ishmael, like Esau, was a firstborn who did not receive the covenant blessing. This action may indicate Esau's desire to gain favor or legitimacy by marrying within the broader Abrahamic family, despite his previous marriages displeasing his parents (<a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34-35</a>).<p><b>and married Mahalath</b><br>Mahalath, whose name means "stringed instrument" or "lyre," becomes Esau's wife. This marriage is significant as it represents Esau's continued departure from the covenantal line. Unlike Jacob, who was sent to marry within the family of Laban, Esau's choice reflects a lack of concern for the covenant promises associated with his grandfather Abraham.<p><b>the sister of Nebaioth</b><br>Nebaioth is the firstborn son of Ishmael (<a href="/genesis/25-13.htm">Genesis 25:13</a>). Mentioning Nebaioth highlights the connection to Ishmael's lineage, which was significant in the context of tribal and familial alliances. This connection to Nebaioth may have been seen as a strategic alliance, though it was outside the covenant line.<p><b>and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the familial connection to Abraham, though through Ishmael, who was not the child of promise. Ishmael's descendants were blessed by God to become a great nation (<a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20</a>), but they were distinct from the line through Isaac, which carried the covenant promises.<p><b>in addition to the wives he already had</b><br>Esau's polygamy contrasts with the monogamous marriages of the patriarchs like Isaac and Jacob, highlighting a departure from the covenantal norms. His existing marriages to Hittite women had already caused grief to Isaac and Rebekah (<a href="/genesis/26-34.htm">Genesis 26:34-35</a>), and this additional marriage further illustrates Esau's disregard for the spiritual and familial values of his parents.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/esau.htm">Esau</a></b><br>The elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, twin brother of Jacob. Known for selling his birthright and losing his father's blessing to Jacob.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a></b><br>The first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. He is considered the ancestor of several Arab tribes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mahalath.htm">Mahalath</a></b><br>The daughter of Ishmael, whom Esau marries. Her marriage to Esau is an attempt to please his parents after realizing their disapproval of his Canaanite wives.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nebaioth.htm">Nebaioth</a></b><br>The brother of Mahalath and the firstborn son of Ishmael. His mention establishes Mahalath's lineage.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, father of both Isaac and Ishmael. His legacy and covenant with God are central to the account.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_family_dynamics.htm">Understanding Family Dynamics</a></b><br>Esau's decision to marry Mahalath reflects his attempt to reconcile with his parents' values. This highlights the importance of understanding and respecting family dynamics and values in our own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_impulsive_decisions.htm">Consequences of Impulsive Decisions</a></b><br>Esau's life is marked by impulsive decisions, from selling his birthright to marrying Canaanite women. This serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term consequences of short-sighted choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_approval.htm">Seeking Approval</a></b><br>Esau's actions demonstrate a desire for parental approval. This can remind us of the importance of seeking God's approval above all, aligning our actions with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_and_spiritual_heritage.htm">Cultural and Spiritual Heritage</a></b><br>Esau's marriage into Ishmael's line shows the intertwining of cultural and spiritual heritages. It encourages us to consider how our own heritage influences our faith and decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_28.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 28</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_abraham's_descendants.htm">Who are considered the descendants of Abraham?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_esau's_wives_differ_in_genesis.htm">In Genesis 36:2–3, Esau’s wives differ from those mentioned in Genesis 26:34 and 28:9—why the discrepancy? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_animals_were_on_the_ark.htm">What does the Bible say about Arabs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_jacob_and_esau's_story_important.htm">What is the significance of Jacob and Esau's story?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/28-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Esau</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵשָׂ֖ו</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·śāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6215.htm">Strong's 6215: </a> </span><span class="str2">Esau -- oldest son of Isaac</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ishmael</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמָעֵ֑אל</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mā·‘êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3458.htm">Strong's 3458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and married</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקַּ֡ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·qaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Mahalath,</span><br /><span class="heb">מָחֲלַ֣ת ׀</span> <span class="translit">(mā·ḥă·laṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4258.htm">Strong's 4258: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mahalath -- daughter of Ishmael, also a granddaughter of David</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sister</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲח֧וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḥō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_269.htm">Strong's 269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sister -- a sister</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Nebaioth</span><br /><span class="heb">נְבָי֛וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḇā·yō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5032.htm">Strong's 5032: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nebaioth -- oldest son of Ishmael, also his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[and] daughter</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּת־</span> <span class="translit">(baṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1323.htm">Strong's 1323: </a> </span><span class="str2">A daughter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Abraham’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֜ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ishmael,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·mā·‘êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3458.htm">Strong's 3458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in addition to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wives</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאִשָּֽׁה׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’iš·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he already had.</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/28-9.htm">Genesis 28:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/28-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 28:9 Esau went to Ishmael and took besides (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/28-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 28:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 28:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/28-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 28:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 28:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>