Who was Mehetabel in the Bible?

Mehetabel was the wife of Hadar (also called Hadad), a king of Edom. She is mentioned only in the genealogical records of the Edomite kings in Genesis 36:39 and 1 Chronicles 1:50.

Why is Mehetabel mentioned in the Bible?

Mehetabel is included to document the royal lineage of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. Her mention, though brief, helps establish the historical record of neighboring nations related to Israel, as seen in Genesis 36.

What does the name Mehetabel mean?

The name Mehetabel is Hebrew and means 'God makes happy' or 'whom God benefits.' While the Bible does not elaborate on her story, names often carried significant meaning in biblical culture.

Mehetabel

Old TestamentPatriarchsFemaleKingWife

Mehetabel was the wife of Hadar, a king of Edom (Gen.36.39; 1Ch.1.50).

Mehetabel

Biography

Mehetabel was the wife of Hadar (also spelled Hadad), the last named king of Edom before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. She is identified as the daughter of Matred and granddaughter of Mezahab (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50). Her inclusion in the Edomite king list is notable, as she is one of the few women mentioned in this otherwise male-dominated genealogical record, suggesting that her family held significant social standing. The Edomite kings listed in Genesis 36 ruled successively rather than dynastically, meaning each king came from a different city and family. Mehetabel's marriage to the final king in this sequence places her at a transitional moment in Edomite history, just before the era when Israelite kings would come to dominate the region.

Significance

Mehetabel's appearance in the Edomite king list (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50) serves several theological purposes within the broader biblical narrative. Her mention fulfills God's promise to Rebekah that two nations would come from her womb (Genesis 25:23), as the Edomite genealogy demonstrates the growth and political development of Esau's descendants alongside Jacob's. The detailed recording of Edomite royalty, including Mehetabel, anticipates the prophetic oracle that "the older shall serve the younger," since Edom's kings preceded Israel's yet would ultimately be subordinated. Mehetabel also represents the Bible's acknowledgment of women's significance even within foreign genealogies, reminding readers that God's providential oversight extends beyond the covenant community to all the nations of the earth.

Verse Appearances (2)

Genesis

Genesis 36:39

1Chr

1Chr 1:50

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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