Ver. 1. Adam, Sheth, Enosh.] Thus this prompt scribe and perfect genealogist, Ezra, as is generally thought, beginneth his holy history. “ Primaque aborigine mundi, Ad sua perpetuum deducit secla volumen.” In prolo. Galeat.
Ver. 4. Shem, Ham, Japheth.] Of these three, Shem is supposed to have peopled the east, Ham the south, Japheth the north.
Ver. 5. Gomer.] Of whom came the Cymbrians and Danes. Magog.] From whom are the Scythians, Sarmatians, Tartars. Madai.] The father of the Medes, as Javan is conceived to be of the Grecians, Tubal of the Spaniards, Meshech of the Muscovites, Tiras of the Thracians, Ashchenaz of the Germans (Tuiscones Dutchmen), Riphath of the Paphlagones, Togarmah of the Turks, Elishah of the Eolians, Tarshish of the Cilicians, Kittim the Cyprians, Dodanim or Rodahim the Rhodians, &c.
Ver. 10. He began to be mighty.] See on Genesis 10:8. Nimrod is thought to be the same with Belus, founder of the Babylonian monarchy.
Ver. 18. Beget Eber.] From whom came the Hebrews.
Ver. 20. And Joktan begat Almodad and Sheleph, &c.] These thirteen sons of Joktan were captains of those colonies that went out of the land of Shinar, upon the dispersion of the nations into various parts of the world, according to their different languages. (Genesis 11:1-9) Whether they fell from the true religion professed by their grandfather Heber is uncertain; but from them is supposed to descend the people of East India, and of America also.
Ver. 36. And Timna.] This was the son of Eliphaz, but of the same name with his concubine Timna, who haply might thereby seek the propagating of her name, like as our Queen Mary did, when, being godmother to many of her servants’ sons, she gave her own name, Anthony-Maria, Edward-Maria, &c., as an addition to their names received at baptism. Fuller’s Church Hist.
Ver. 43. Now these are the kings.] [See Trapp on “Ge 36:31”] Kings were crowned, dukes were not. Israel had first judges, who were as dukes; after that, kings; and then dukes again, or governors, viz., after the captivity. So had Edom. See 1 Chronicles 1:51,52.
Ver. 44. Jobab the son of Zerah reigned.] This Jobab was Job the patient, say some, who, while he was prosperous, was called Jobab; but when in distress, contracted into Job. See the like change, Genesis 17:5 Ru 1:20.
Ver. 50. Baalhanan.] Or Hannibal.
Ver. 51. Hadad died also.] And with him the kingly government, as it did at Rome with Tarquin the tyrant.
Ver. 52. See on Genesis 36:43.