Person Old Testament
Magdiel
Magdiel was an Edomite chief, a descendant of Esau, the son of Isaac. Mentioned in 2 verses across 2 books, first at Genesis 36:43.
Why it matters. Edomite chief descended from Esau
- Primary passages
- Last reviewed
- 2026-08-30 by the FaithGraph team
About Magdiel
Magdiel is mentioned in the lists of Edomite chiefs found in Genesis 36 and 1Chronicles 1. He is identified as one of the chiefs of Edom, a descendant of Esau, the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Gen.36.43; 1Ch.1.54). The Edomites were the descendants of Esau who settled in the region of Seir, south of the Dead Sea. The lists of Edomite chiefs provide a record of the political and social structure of Edom, highlighting the importance of family lineage and tribal leadership. Magdiel's inclusion in these lists suggests that he held a position of authority and influence within the Edomite community. However, no further details are provided about his personal life, achievements, or the specific period of his leadership. The mention of Magdiel in these genealogical records serves to establish the continuity of Esau's descendants and their role in the history of the region.
Description from STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0, lightly reformatted. This is background reference material, not Scripture and not a FaithGraph editorial claim.
Connections
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Appears in Scripture
Named in 2 verses across 2 books. Occurrence data from STEPBible TIPNR (CC BY 4.0); references only, no translation text.