Interesting Facts

• Alah (also called Elah) is identified as one of the sons of Yaalam.
• Yaalam was a son of Esau.
• Alah (Elah) is also listed as a “duke that came of Esau“.
• The name Alah (Elah) appears in a list alongside other dukes, suggesting a position of leadership or significance within the Edomite lineage.

Genealogy

• Alah (Elah) was a son of Yaalam.
• Yaalam was a son of Esau.
• Esau is identified as the father of the Edomites.
• The sources do not provide information regarding Alah’s (Elah’s) birth, marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

The inclusion of Alah (Elah) in the genealogy tracing back to Esau firmly situates him within the formative periods of the Edomite people. The designation as a “duke” is particularly significant, indicating a recognized position of leadership and authority within the evolving social and political structures of the Edomite tribes in the land of Seir. The emergence of these “dukes” signifies a move towards a more organized tribal system, with specific lineages assuming positions of influence. While the precise historical events during Alah’s (Elah’s) lifetime remain unrecorded in these excerpts, his presence in the list of dukes underscores his role in the early development of Edomite governance and social hierarchy. This period likely involved the consolidation of power amongst Esau’s descendants and the establishment of their territorial claims in the region.

Narrative

The narrative surrounding Alah (Elah) within these texts is predominantly genealogical, serving to establish his place within the broader ancestral narrative of the Edomites. As a son of Yaalam, who was himself a son of Esau, Alah (Elah) holds a specific position within this lineage. His designation as a duke implies that he was a figure of some authority or leadership within his clan or family grouping, contributing to the overall societal framework of the early Edomite community. While the texts do not detail specific actions, pronouncements, or personal interactions of Alah (Elah), his inclusion in the list of dukes signifies his contribution to the development of leadership roles and the formation of distinct familial units that would come to define the Edomite nation. Thus, Alah’s (Elah’s) narrative presence in these sources is that of an ancestral figure who held a position of leadership, contributing to the foundational history of the Edomites.