Jaalam

Biblical Record

Jaalam was a son born to Esau and his wife Aholibamah. Aholibamah is introduced as the daughter of Anah and the granddaughter of Zibeon (Genesis 36:2; Genesis 36:14). Every biblical reference to him appears within a genealogy:

• Genesis 36:5 and 36:14: These verses record that Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah to Esau. Genesis 36:5 states that these sons were born "in the land of Canaan," that is, before Esau moved his household to Mount Seir (Genesis 36:6-8).
• Genesis 36:18: "Duke Jaalam" appears in the list of chiefs descended from Esau. Here the title denotes the leader of a clan or tribe.
• 1 Chronicles 1:35: His name appears in a list of Esau's five sons (Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah).

Scripture records none of Jaalam's deeds or words.

Significance Within Scripture

Jaalam is one of the names in Esau's genealogy, which traces the origins of the Edomite people. Before continuing the narrative of Jacob's line, Genesis sets down an account of Esau's descendants and the system of chiefs they established, and Jaalam represents one branch of that system. The New Testament does not mention Jaalam.

Interpretation and Debated Points

The list of Esau's wives in Genesis 36 differs from the names given in Genesis 26:34 and 28:9. Some interpreters explain the discrepancy by holding that one person was known by more than one name, while others regard it as the result of distinct traditions being combined. The list of Aholibamah's sons (Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah), however, is consistent between Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1. This Korah is a different person from the Levite Korah who led the rebellion in Numbers 16.

In the Korean Church

Sermons or study materials devoted specifically to Jaalam are rare. His name usually comes up when readers encounter Esau's genealogy in the course of reading through the Bible.