Derasha 1 on Bereishis 36:12

TT #52 · Parashas Vayishlach · Passuk 36:12

Complete Passuk

וְתִמְנַ֣ע ׀ הָיְתָ֣ה פִילֶ֗גֶשׁ לֶֽאֱלִיפַז֙ בֶּן־עֵשָׂ֔ו וַתֵּ֥לֶד לֶאֱלִיפַ֖ז אֶת־עֲמָלֵ֑ק אֵ֕לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י עָדָ֖ה אֵ֥שֶׁת עֵשָֽׂו׃

And Timna was a concubine to Elifaz the son of Eisav, and she bore to Elifaz Amalek. These are the sons of Adah the wife of Eisav.

Chabad · Genesis 36:12

Source Citation

Torah Temimah points to Sanhedrin 99b.

Sefaria · Sanhedrin 99b

Core Text of Chazal

ותמנע היתה פילגש — למה נכתבה? ללמדך שחזרה אחר אברהם יצחק ויעקב להתגייר ולא קיבלוה, הלכה והיתה פילגש לאליפז בן עשו.

“And Timna was a concubine” — why was this written? To teach you that she sought after Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov to convert, and they did not accept her; she went and became a concubine to Elifaz the son of Eisav.

On the daf / in context

The Gemara explains the background of Timna’s status and the origin of Amalek.

Type of Learning

Derash on the origin of Amalek (Bavli).

What Is Learned

Timna’s rejection by the patriarchs led to her becoming the mother of Amalek through Elifaz.