These are the descendants: These points forward to the names that are listed here: “The following are….” As used in this chapter, Revised Standard Version These sometimes points forward to the names that follow, and sometimes points backward to names that have already been given; translators should be careful to identify which sense is intended in each case and use the appropriate pointing words or expressions in their own languages.

The descendants of Esau: descendants translates the Hebrew toledoth, which was first used in 2.4. There it referred to a “story,” “account,” “explanation.” Here, however, it refers to the list of descendants or genealogy of Esau. See 5.1 for the first use of this term meaning “descendants.”

(That is, Edom): in 25.30 Esau’s name is called Edom, where that name is associated with the reddish soup he obtained from Jacob. This may also be rendered, for example, “who is also called Edom” or “whom they also call Edom.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .