Chiefs And Princes
"These are the chiefs of the sons of Esau." (Gen 36:15)
The word "aluf" - chief, is used only in regard to the descendants of Esau. The descendants of
Ishmael were referred to as "nasi" - prince. This difference in terminology indicates a disparity in their relationship
to Israel.
"Aluf" - Chief - is a sovereign without a crown. Esau was a monarch
in a limited sense, to survive as a nation until that day when "The Savior will ascend Mount
Zion to judge Esau's mountain, and the Kingdom will be YHVH's." Obadiah 1:21
On the other hand, Ishmael was only bestowed the title of "nasi" - prince - which is primarily an honorary title
with no power attributed to it.
Esau inherited something tangible. He was the beneficiary of Mount Se'ir. Conversely, regarding
Ishmael, the Torah states "Banish the maidservant Hagar and her son Ishmael, for he will not inherit."
Gen 21:10
Esau, (today's Jordan) who received his own inheritance, has no motivation to demand a portion in the
Holy Land. Ishmael, (today's 'Palestinian' Arabs) however, who received no share in the land, perseveres
in his implacable hatred toward the people of Israel, violently demanding a share in the land from its true
and rightful inheritors.