אׇהֳלִיבָמָה

Oholibamah, a wife of Esau

Definition

Oholibamah is a proper name meaning 'tent of the height' or 'my tent is a high place.' She is primarily known as a wife of Esau, the son of Isaac and brother of Jacob (Genesis 36:2, 5). She was the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite (Genesis 36:2, 14). Oholibamah also became the mother of three of Esau's sons—Jeush, Jalam, and Korah—who became chiefs of Edom (Genesis 36:5, 14, 18). Furthermore, her name was given to a chief or a clan in Edom (Genesis 36:41, 1 Chronicles 1:52), indicating her lasting legacy among the Edomite people.

Biblical Usage

The name Oholibamah appears exclusively in genealogical and tribal lists within the Old Testament, specifically in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1. In Genesis, it is used to identify Esau's wife (Genesis 36:2, 5, 14, 18, 25) and later as the name of a chief descended from Esau (Genesis 36:41). The single occurrence in 1 Chronicles 1:52 mirrors the tribal list from Genesis, reaffirming her name's association with an Edomite clan. The usage is consistently tied to establishing the lineage and social structure of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau.

Etymology

The name Oholibamah is a compound Hebrew word derived from 'ohel' (H168), meaning 'tent,' and 'bamah' (H1116), meaning 'high place' or 'height.' Literally, it translates to 'tent of the high place.' This construction is typical of Hebrew names that convey a symbolic or theophoric meaning. The element 'bamah' often refers to elevated sites used for worship, which may imply a connection to Canaanite religious practices or simply denote a lofty, prominent dwelling.

Semantic Range

Oholibamah's name and story contribute to the biblical theme of God's sovereign choice in the lineage of the covenant. As a wife of Esau, she is part of the Edomite line, which stands in contrast to the chosen line of Jacob (Israel). Her Canaanite/Hivite heritage (Genesis 36:2) highlights Esau's intermarriage with local peoples, a choice that distanced him from the Abrahamic promise. Understanding her name—'tent of the high place'—may subtly reflect the spiritual divergence of Esau's household, potentially alluding to the idolatrous 'high places' opposed in later Israelite history. Her inclusion in the genealogy demonstrates God's faithfulness in recording all lineages, even those outside the direct covenant, and underscores the fulfillment of the prophecy that Esau would live by the sword and be subordinate to Jacob (Genesis 27:40).

In the ancient Near East, names often carried significant meaning, describing character, destiny, or parental hopes. Oholibamah's name, combining 'tent' (a symbol of dwelling and transience) with 'high place' (a cultic site), may reflect her family's social or religious status. As a Hivite/Canaanite woman marrying Esau, she represents the integration of Isaac's family with the indigenous populations of Canaan, a practice later discouraged in Israel. Her identification as both an individual and an eponymous tribal chief (Genesis 36:41) was a common way to denote clan origins and territorial claims in tribal societies.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. However, other wives of Esau are: Adah (H5711) — a daughter of Elon the Hittite; and Basemath (H1315) — a daughter of Ishmael (in some accounts).

Word Details

Scripture References