Interesting Facts

• Bela, the son of Beor, hailing from the people of Angeas king of Dinhabah, was chosen by the children of Esau to be their first king. This marks a departure from their own lineage, as they swore that no brethren should rule over them.
• He was described as a valiant man, beautiful and comely, wise in all wisdom, and a man of sense and counsel, distinguishing him among the people of Angeas.
• The text notes that all the children of Esau swore they would choose a king from a strange land, suggesting a significant internal discord or shift in their tribal structure after their conflicts.
• Bela’s reign lasted for thirty years over the children of Esau who had settled in the land of Seir, displacing the children of Seir.
• Interestingly, there is a parallel account in the Book of Jubilees referring to the first king of Edom as Balaq, the son of Beor, and his city as Danaba. This could represent a textual variation or a different tradition concerning the same individual.

Genealogy

• Bela was the son of Beor.
• He originated from the people of Angeas king of Dinhabah.
• The text specifies that he was not of the brethren of the children of Esau, meaning he was not a direct descendant of Esau.
• There is no mention of Bela having any marital connections or offspring within the provided sources.

Historical Context

The ascent of Bela to the kingship of Edom occurred after the significant battles between the sons of Jacob and the sons of Esau, including the confrontation at Jacob’s burial site and subsequent wars. The children of Esau had also recently engaged in a protracted conflict with the children of Seir, ultimately prevailing and inheriting their land. This period seems to have fostered an environment of distrust and bitterness among the descendants of Esau, leading them to seek a ruler from outside their immediate kin. The connection of Bela to Angeas, the king of Africa, suggests potential political or military alliances between Edom and other regional powers during this time. The fact that the children of Esau swore to never again have one of their own rule over them underscores the profound impact of their recent internal strife and external conflicts on their societal structure and leadership selection. The reign of Bela also coincides with the continued presence of the Israelites in Egypt under the governance of Joseph.

Narrative

Bela’s narrative begins with the resolution of the children of Esau to establish a monarchy. Driven by their embittered feelings towards their own brethren following the wars, they sought a king from a foreign lineage. Bela, described with notable positive attributes, was chosen from the people of Angeas, the king of Dinhabah, and was subsequently anointed and crowned as their king. His coronation was marked by oaths of loyalty and the bestowal of riches, signifying his acceptance and the establishment of his royal authority. Bela reigned for thirty years over Edom, during which the children of Esau dwelt securely in their newly acquired lands, no longer warring with the sons of Jacob. The narrative implies a period of relative stability under his rule, at least in terms of conflicts with the Israelites, as the sons of Esau were aware of the valor of Jacob’s descendants and held them in fear. The account of Bela’s reign primarily focuses on the circumstances of his ascension and the initial period of his rule, culminating in his death and the subsequent reign of Jobab. His story represents a pivotal moment in Edomite history, marking the transition to a formal kingship and the selection of a non-native ruler, likely shaped by the preceding tumultuous events and inter-tribal conflicts.