Alvah (sometimes referred to as Aliah) was a tribal leader, or “duke,” of Edom, a people descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. He is mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament as one of the chiefs who ruled in the land of Seir, before the establishment of a kingly line in Israel.
Alvah in Scripture
The name Alvah appears twice in the King James Version of the Bible, in parallel passages listing the ruling families of Edom.
- Genesis 36:40 (KJV):“And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth,”
- 1 Chronicles 1:51 (KJV):“Hadad died also. And the dukes of Edom were; duke Timnah, duke Aliah, duke Jetheth,”
The variation in the name (Alvah in Genesis and Aliah in 1 Chronicles) is a common instance of different Hebrew spellings or transcriptions for the same person, confirming his singular identity as a chief of Edom. The term “duke” used in the KJV translates the Hebrew word ‘alluph (${\text{ืืืืฃ}}$), which signifies a tribal chief or leader.
Significance
The mention of Alvah is crucial to the biblical account for two reasons:
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: His existence as a leader of the Edomites serves as a testament to the growth of Esau’s descendants into a powerful nation, thus fulfilling God’s promise that Esau would become a “nation and a company of nations” (Genesis 28:3). The listing of these dukes in Genesis 36 emphasizes that Esauโs lineage achieved political prominence in the land of Seir โbefore there reigned any king over the children of Israelโ (Genesis 36:31, KJV).
- A Non-Covenant People: Alvahโs name is permanently recorded in the sacred text, not as a hero of the covenant line (Israel), but as a figure in the lineage of Esau. This inclusion highlights God’s comprehensive oversight of world history, confirming His control over all nations, even those outside the direct covenant relationship with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Prophetic Hotspot: The Rise of Earthly Kingdoms
The genealogies of Edom, including the list of its dukes like Alvah, demonstrate the early rise of political power among nations outside of Israel. This detail foreshadows the recurring theme in prophecyโparticularly in the books of Daniel and Revelationโof the rise and fall of great earthly kingdoms and powers. The Edomite chiefs represent a transient, temporal authority that was established quickly but eventually faded in contrast to the enduring, eternal kingdom promised to Israel.
The Return Question: Eternal and Temporal Titles
Question for Discussion: Alvah was an, a “duke,” a title of earthly status and power. The Book of Revelation speaks of the faithful who are given a “white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it” (Revelation 2:17, KJV). Considering the great emphasis on titles and worldly authority (like “duke”) in the Old Testament, how does the promise of a “new name” in the end times relate to the fleeting nature of titles like Alvah’s, and what does it signify about the different kind of glory and rank that awaits believers at the Lord’s Return?