בראשית, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ל״ה

The royal records of Edom highlight certain rulers whose military feats elevated them beyond a standard dynastic list. The rise to power of Hadad son of Bedad is one such moment, marked by a famous historical battle that cemented his reputation and demonstrated his immense bravery [שד״ל]. His defining achievement was a decisive strike against the Midianites, a nomadic tribe that had temporarily settled near the borders of Edom and Moab [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This conflict, which unfolded in the territory of Moab, reveals a complex web of regional alliances and rivalries.

The exact circumstances of the battle are understood in several ways. One approach suggests that Edom initiated a war against Moab, prompting the Moabites to call upon Midian for military support. However, as the battle began, the Moabites fled, abandoning the Midianites to face the Edomite army alone. This act of betrayal sparked a long-standing hatred between the two nations [ביאור יש״ר]. Conversely, another perspective argues that it was the Midianites who originally attacked Moab, and the Edomite king stepped in to defend the Moabites. This points to a deep-rooted historical hatred between Midian and Moab, a conflict that was only set aside much later during the time of Balaam, when they temporarily united against the Israelites [רש״י]. A third view proposes that the Midianites entered Moabite territory to fortify themselves and form a united front, but Hadad's overwhelming military strength allowed him to defeat the combined forces [רמב״ן].

Beyond the historical events, there is a deeper conceptual layer to the ruler's background. His lineage carries a theme of isolation, as his father's name hints at the state of being alone. Furthermore, the battlefield itself is linked to the ancient location where Abel was killed. Even his home city bears a name that implies spiritual decline and deception [רקנאטי]. In the historical record, this king's name is spelled with precision to carefully distinguish him from a different ruler with a nearly identical name who appears later [חזקוני].