Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.
These are the generations - history of the leading men and events (cf. Genesis 2:4). Conformably to the plan pursued in the composition of this historical book, the Tholedoth of Esau precedes the ensuing continuous account of the family history of Jacob, as the Tholedoth of Ishmael (Genesis 25:12-17) that of Isaac; the Tholedoth of Japheth and Ham (Genesis 10:1-20) that of Shem; and the Tholedoth of Cain (Genesis 4:18) that of Seth.
Esau, who is Edom. The latter name was applied to him in reference to the peculiar colour of his skin at birth, rendered more significant by his inordinate craving for the red pottage, and also by the fierce sanguinary character of his descendants (cf. Ezekiel 25:12; Obadiah 1:10). The name Edom is prominently introduced at the commencement of this genealogical record, because it formed the national designation of Esau's posterity.