Zibeon צִבְעוֹן
Hivite grandfather of Esau's wife Oholibamah
Who is Zibeon in the Bible?
Zibeon was a Hivite man mentioned in Genesis 36:2 and 36:14 as the grandfather of Oholibamah, one of Esau's wives. Oholibamah was the daughter of Anah, who was Zibeon's child, making Zibeon part of the extended family network that connected Esau to the Canaanite peoples. The Bible provides no other details about Zibeon's life or character beyond this genealogical connection. His mention in Scripture illustrates the intermarriage between the descendants of Isaac and the indigenous Canaanite tribes during the patriarchal era, reflecting the complex cultural and family dynamics of ancient Near Eastern society. Though a minor figure, Zibeon's inclusion in Esau's genealogy highlights the historical reality of these tribal relationships.
Biography
Zibeon was a Hivite man mentioned in the book of Genesis as the grandfather of Oholibamah, one of Esau's wives. Esau, the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Israel (or 'Jacob'), married Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, who was the daughter of Zibeon. This marriage is significant because it shows the intermarriage between the Israelites and the Canaanite tribes, such as the Hivites. The Bible provides no further information about Zibeon beyond his role as the grandfather of Esau's wife, but his inclusion in the genealogy highlights the complex family relationships and cultural interactions during the time of the patriarchs.
Family
Siblings
- Timna EdomSister of LotanConcubine of Eliphaz; mother of AmalekView full profile →
- Lotan EdomSon of SeirSon of Seir the Horite; chief of EdomView full profile →
- Shobal Tribe of JudahSon of HurSon of Hur, founder of Kiriath-jearim, Judahite descendant.View full profile →
- Dishon EdomSon of SeirDescendant of Seir the Horite, son of AnahView full profile →
- Ezer MaleDavid's warriorGadite warrior; joined David at Ziklag.View full profile →
- Dishan EdomSon of SeirDescendant of Seir the HoriteView full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 2 verses
- Genesis 36:2
"Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite,"
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:14
"These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah (daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon) whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | צִבְעוֹן |
Zibeon
">24,29; 1Ch 1:38,40); he is called the "Hivite" in Ge 36:2 where "Horite" should be read with 36:20,29. In Ge 36:2,14 Anah is said to be "the daughter of Zibeon," whereas the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Syriac, and Lucian have "the son of Zibeon"; compare 1Ch 1:38,40, where also Anah is Zibeon's son.
zib'-i-a (tsibhya', perhaps "gazelle"): A Benjamite (1Ch 8:9).
zib'-i-a (tsibhyah, probably "gazelle"): A woman of Beersheba, mother of King