Interesting Facts

• Kenaz is listed as one of the sons of Eliphaz, who is himself a son of Esau.
• Kenaz is mentioned in genealogical lists, indicating his place within the lineage of Esau.
• Kenaz is designated as a “duke” of the sons of Eliphaz, suggesting a position of leadership or social standing within the Edomite tribal structure.

Genealogy

• Kenaz’s father was Eliphaz, a son of Esau.
• His grandfather was Esau. As established in previous analyses, Esau’s parents were Isaac and Rebekah, making them Kenaz’s great-grandparents. His great-great-grandfather was Abraham.
• Kenaz was a descendant of Esau’s wife Adah, as Eliphaz was her son. Source states “These were the sons of Adah Esau’s wife,” including Eliphaz, and source reiterates Eliphaz as the firstborn son of Esau, whose sons included Kenaz.
• The sources do not provide specific details regarding Kenaz’s birth year, mother (beyond being a descendant of Adah through Eliphaz), marital connections, or offspring.

Historical Context

Kenaz lived in the early generations following the separation of Jacob and Esau. The sources depict Esau and his descendants establishing themselves in the land of Seir, separate from Jacob’s lineage in Canaan. The emergence of “dukes” among Esau’s descendants, including Kenaz, indicates the development of a structured tribal society within Edom. This period likely involved the consolidation of Edomite territory and the establishment of their social and political order. While the provided texts focus more on the interactions between Jacob’s sons and the Canaanites/Amorites, Kenaz’s existence within the genealogy of Esau places him within this broader context of early tribal development and the diverging paths of the Israelite and Edomite peoples.

Narrative

Within the narrative presented in the excerpts, Kenaz’s role is primarily that of a genealogical figure. He is consistently listed as one of the sons of Eliphaz, contributing to the record of Esau’s descendants. The designation of Kenaz as a “duke” suggests a position of authority within the Edomite social structure, implying he likely held some leadership role. However, the sources do not describe any specific actions, dialogues, or personal events directly involving Kenaz. His significance in the narrative lies in his contribution to the overall portrayal of Esau’s growing lineage and the early organization of the Edomite nation. He stands as a named member of this lineage, highlighting the development of distinct familial and potentially political units in the lands surrounding Canaan.