complete verse (Genesis 36:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 36:7:

  • Newari: “Since they had so many cows, sheep and cattle, the space being insufficient for them to graze, it was not possible for them to stay together.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For they could no-longer be-together in one place because of the numbers/greatness on their possessions; and the place which was their place-to-live could- no-longer -sustain them because of the great-numbers of their livestock.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Jacob and Esau had very many possessions. The result was that they needed more land for their livestock. The land where they were living was not big enough for both of them. They had too much livestock. So Esau, whose other name was Edom, had taken his wives and sons and daughters and all the other members of his household, his sheep and goats and his other animals, and all the other things he had obtained in Canaan land, and they had moved to an area that was away from Jacob.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 36:7

In this verse the reason for the migration of Esau to Edom is said to be because the animals of Esau and Jacob had become too numerous. For the separation of Abraham and Lot on the same basis, see 13.5-13.

Their possessions … together: for possessions see 12.5.

Land of their sojournings: that is, “the land where they were living.”

Could not support them: that is, “was not enough,” “was too small.”

Cattle refers to livestock in general.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .