Interesting Facts

• Jehudith was the daughter of Beeri, who was the son of Epher, and she belonged to the families of Heth, the son of Canaan.
• Unlike Esau’s other wives who bore him sons, Jehudith bore him only daughters, namely Marzith and Puith.
• Esau married Jehudith when he was forty years old.
• Jehudith died in the land of Canaan.
• After Jehudith’s death, Esau went to Seir to hunt.

Genealogy

• Jehudith’s father was Beeri, and her grandfather was Epher.
• She was a descendant of Heth, who was the son of Canaan.
• She became the wife of Esau.
• She bore two daughters to Esau: Marzith, the elder, and Puith, the younger.
• Her daughters, Marzith and Puith, were given in marriage to Anah, the son of Zebeon, and Azar, the son of Bilhan the Horite, respectively.

Historical Context

Jehudith lived in the land of Canaan during a time when Esau, the son of Isaac, had established himself there. The broader context of the narrative involves the family of Abraham and his descendants, including Isaac and Jacob. During this period, tensions and differences between Jacob and Esau were developing, as evidenced by Esau selling his birthright and eventually moving to the land of Seir. The intermarriage of Esau with Canaanite women like Jehudith is noted as something that caused grief to Isaac and Rebekah. This suggests a cultural or religious divide between the lineage of Abraham and the local Canaanite populations. The movements of Esau and his family, including his marriages and the birth of his children, indicate a separation and the beginnings of distinct familial and possibly tribal identities.

Narrative

Jehudith’s personal story within the provided texts is relatively brief but significant in understanding the lineage of Esau. She is introduced as one of Esau’s wives, specifically identified as a Canaanite woman. Her marriage to Esau occurred when he was forty years old, a detail that marks a stage in Esau’s life and family development. Notably, the text emphasizes that Jehudith bore Esau no sons, only daughters, Marzith and Puith. This contrasts with Esau’s other wives, who are mentioned in connection with the birth of his sons. The detail that Jehudith died in the land of Canaan is simply stated, marking the end of her presence in the narrative. Following her death, Esau’s actions included returning to his customary hunting in Seir, highlighting a continuation of his established lifestyle. Finally, the marriage of her daughters to men of the Horite population further illustrates Esau’s increasing integration and interrelation with the inhabitants of the region, setting the stage for the generations that would follow. While Jehudith’s individual actions or dialogues are not detailed, her role as Esau’s wife and the mother of his daughters contributes to the broader narrative of Esau’s family and their connection to the land of Canaan and later Seir.