Interesting Facts

• Amalex (or Amalek) is listed as one of the sons of Eliphaz, who is himself a son of Esau.
• The mother of Amalex was Timna, who was a concubine of Eliphaz. This distinguishes him from the other sons of Eliphaz who were the sons of Adah.
• Amalex (or Amalek) is designated as a “duke” of the sons of Eliphaz.
• One source mentions Timna came to Jacob and his sons, but they would not give ear to her, after which she became a concubine to Eliphaz and bore him Amalek. This provides a potential, albeit indirect, connection between Amalek’s lineage and Jacob’s family.

Genealogy

• Amalex’s (or Amalek’s) father was Eliphaz, the firstborn son of Esau.
• His grandfather was Esau, whose parents were Isaac and Rebekah. His great-grandfather was Isaac, and his great-great-grandfather was Abraham.
• His mother was Timna, who was a concubine of Eliphaz.
• The sources do not provide information regarding Amalex’s (or Amalek’s) birth year, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

Amalex (or Amalek) lived in the early generations following the separation of Jacob and Esau. The sources detail Esau and his descendants establishing themselves in the land of Seir, which became known as Edom. The fact that Timna, Amalex’s mother, sought connection with Jacob’s family before becoming Eliphaz’s concubine hints at potential interactions or awareness between the two emerging family groups. The designation of Amalex (or Amalek) as a “duke” signifies the development of a hierarchical structure within the Edomite society. This period involved the formation of distinct tribal identities and territories. Amalex’s lineage through a concubine might suggest a different social standing within the Edomite hierarchy compared to the sons born to Eliphaz’s wife, Adah.

Narrative

Within the narrative of the provided excerpts, Amalex’s (or Amalek’s) role is primarily genealogical, appearing in the lists of Esau’s descendants through Eliphaz. The sources do not attribute any direct actions or dialogues to Amalex (or Amalek). However, the detail about his mother, Timna, having previously sought connection with Jacob’s lineage adds a layer of indirect narrative significance. It suggests a possible awareness or interaction between the nascent Edomite and Israelite families at a very early stage. Furthermore, his designation as a “duke” implies a position of leadership within the Edomite tribal structure, even though the specifics of his leadership are not detailed in these texts. Thus, Amalex (or Amalek) contributes to the broader narrative of the establishment and organization of the Edomite nation as a distinct entity from the lineage of Jacob.