בראשית, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ט״ז

The lineage of chieftains descending from Eliphaz presents a complex family tree filled with unexpected additions and irregularities. A close look at these tribal leaders reveals questions about their true identities and their rightful places within the family structure.

A central mystery involves the sudden appearance of Korah as a chieftain. Previously unmentioned among the sons of Eliphaz, Korah is known elsewhere as the son of Oholibamah. To resolve this sudden inclusion, several explanations are offered. One approach suggests that this Korah was actually a grandson who established an independent family and earned the rank of chieftain on his own merit [רד״ק, בכור שור]. Another perspective argues that there were two distinct individuals with the same name. According to this view, the leader mentioned here is actually Timna, a son of Eliphaz noted in the Book of Chronicles. This individual may have had two names, or he was called by the name of his son, Korah, to prevent confusion with a woman named Timna, who was Lotan's sister [העמק דבר, ביאור יש״ר, חזקוני].

Conversely, some maintain that this is indeed the same Korah born to Oholibamah. One tradition explains that his mother died when he was young, leading Adah to adopt and raise him alongside her own son Eliphaz's children, which is why he is counted among them [חזקוני]. A different explanation proposes a darker origin, suggesting Korah was the product of a forbidden relationship between Eliphaz and Oholibamah, his father's wife. Because of this, he is listed simultaneously among the chieftains of Eliphaz and the sons of Oholibamah [בכור שור, ברכת אשר].

A geographical note regarding the land of Edom serves a specific purpose in the narrative. It highlights that these leaders were born in this region and achieved their elevated status there [רד״ק]. Alternatively, this detail might indicate a temporary residence. Unlike other families who formed the permanent core of the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the chieftains of Eliphaz only remained in the land of Edom for a limited time before eventually migrating elsewhere [העמק דבר].

The family record concludes by classifying this entire group as the sons of Adah, which presents another irregularity. Amalek is counted among these chieftains, yet he was born to a concubine named Timna, not to Adah. The primary explanation is that the summary refers broadly to Adah's grandsons, and the inclusive label simply follows the majority of the group [רד״ק]. Furthermore, because Amalek was the son of her son's concubine, he was viewed as an integral part of Adah's household, fully justifying his inclusion in the list of her descendants [חזקוני].