Observe here, 1. That only the names of Esau's sons and grandsons are
recorded, only their names, not their history; for it is the church
that Moses preserves the records of, not the record of those that are
without. Those elders that lived by faith alone obtained a good report.
It is Sion that produces the men of renown, not Seir, Ps. lxxxvii. 5.
Nor does the genealogy go any further than the third and fourth
generation; the very names of all after are buried in oblivion. It is
only the pedigree of the Israelites, who were to be the heirs of
Canaan, and of whom were to come the promised seed, and the holy seed,
that is drawn out to any length, as far as there was occasion for it,
even of all the tribes till Canaan was divided among them, and of the
royal line till Christ came. 2. That these sons and grandsons of Esau
are called dukes, v. 15-19. Probably they were military commanders,
dukes, or captains, that had soldiers under them; for Esau and his
family lived by the sword, ch. xxvii. 40. Note, Titles of honour have
been more ancient out of the church than in it. Esau's sons were dukes
when Jacob's sons were but plain shepherds, ch. xlvii. 3. This is not a
reason why such titles should not be used among Christians; but it is a
reason why men should not overvalue themselves, or others, for the sake
of them. There is an honour that comes from God, and a name in his
house that is infinitely more valuable. Edomites may be dukes with men,
but Israelites indeed are made to our God kings and priests. 3. We may
suppose those dukes had numerous families of children and servants that
were their dukedoms. God promised to multiply Jacob, and to enrich him;
yet Esau increases, and is enriched first. Note, It is no new thing for
the men of this world to be full of children, and to have their bellies
too filled with hidden treasures, Ps. xvii. 14. God's promise to Jacob
began to work late, but the effect of it remained longer, and it had
its complete accomplishment in the spiritual Israel.