Who was Samlah in the Bible?

Samlah was a king of Edom, the nation descended from Esau. He is listed in the genealogy of the Edomite kings who reigned before the Israelites had their own monarchy (Genesis 36:36-37).

Why is Samlah mentioned in the Bible?

Samlah is mentioned to document the historical lineage and succession of Edomite kings, establishing the nation of Edom as a significant entity related to Israel. His inclusion shows God's faithfulness in fulfilling the prophecy that Esau (Edom) would become a nation with rulers (Genesis 36:31).

What do we know about Samlah's life and reign?

The Bible records only that Samlah was from Masrekah and that he succeeded Hadad as king. No specific events from his reign are detailed, as his mention is primarily for genealogical and historical record-keeping (1 Chronicles 1:47-48).

Samlah

Old TestamentPatriarchsMaleKing

Samlah was a king of Edom who reigned before Israel had kings, as mentioned in the genealogies of Esau.

Samlah

Biography

Samlah of Masrekah was one of the ancient kings who ruled Edom before any Israelite monarch sat upon a throne. Listed in the royal succession recorded in Genesis 36:36–37 and mirrored in 1 Chronicles 1:47–48, Samlah succeeded Hadad of Avith and was himself succeeded by Shaul of Rehoboth-by-the-River. Beyond his name, hometown, and place in the Edomite dynastic sequence, Scripture preserves no narrative details about his reign, his policies, or the length of his rule. He belongs entirely to the pre-monarchic world of the ancient Near East, governing a people descended from Esau whose territorial identity was firmly established in the hill country south of the Dead Sea.

Significance

Though Samlah receives no narrative elaboration, his inclusion in the Edomite king list of Genesis 36 carries theological weight. The text introduces these rulers with the pointed notation that they reigned 'before any Israelite king reigned' (Genesis 36:31), situating the Edomite monarchy as historically prior to Israel's. This sets the stage for understanding God's deliberate timing in establishing Israel's own kingship under Saul. Samlah's presence in the genealogical record also affirms the biblical principle that God orders the rise and fall of nations according to His sovereign purpose, even among peoples outside the covenant community.

Verse Appearances (4)

Genesis

Genesis 36:36 Genesis 36:37

1Chr

1Chr 1:47 1Chr 1:48

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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