Interesting Facts

• Jaalam (also referred to as Yaalan) was one of the three sons born to Esau and his wife Aholibamah in the land of Canaan.
• His brothers were Jeush (Yeush) and Korah.
• Jaalam is listed as the second among the three sons of Aholibamah in several sources.
• He is mentioned as one of the “dukes” that came of Aholibamah, Esau’s wife.
• The sons of Jaalam were Alah, Phinor, and Kenaz.

Genealogy

• Father: Esau.
• Mother: Aholibamah (Ahlibamah), the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite.
• Grandfather (Paternal): Isaac.
• Grandmother (Paternal): Rebekah.
• Grandfather (Maternal): Anah, the son of Zebeon the Hivite.
• Great-grandfather (Maternal): Zebeon the Hivite.
• Siblings: Jeush (Yeush) and Korah.
• Sons: Alah, Phinor, and Kenaz.
• Descendants: The sources mention Alah, Phinor, and Kenaz as his sons and list them as families of the sons of Esau according to their dukedoms in the land of Seir.

Historical Context

Jaalam was born in the land of Canaan during the period when Esau and his household resided there. This was before the eventual migration of Esau and his kin to the region of Seir (later known as Edom). As a son of Esau and Aholibamah, Jaalam’s early life would have been situated within the cultural milieu of Canaan, potentially influenced by both his father’s lineage and his mother’s Hivite heritage. This era preceded Jacob’s return from Haran and the subsequent interactions between the two brothers. The establishment of Esau’s family, including Jaalam, in Canaan reflects a phase of growth and settlement before the shifting dynamics that led to their move to Seir, where their descendants, including the lineage of Jaalam, would take root and form part of the Edomite tribal structure.

Narrative

The narrative presence of Jaalam within the provided sources is primarily confined to genealogical records. He is consistently listed as one of the three sons born to Esau and Aholibamah in Canaan. Furthermore, he is identified as one of the “dukes” who descended from Esau through Aholibamah. The designation of “duke” suggests a position of some authority or importance within the nascent Edomite society. His sons, Alah, Phinor, and Kenaz, are also recorded, further indicating Jaalam’s role in the continuation of Esau’s lineage and the formation of distinct family units within the Edomite territories in Seir. While the sources detail significant events concerning his father Esau and his uncle Jacob, Jaalam himself is not depicted engaging in any specific actions or dialogues. His significance, as presented in these texts, lies in his place within the familial structure of Esau and his contribution to the genealogical tapestry that would define the Edomite people.