Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein is an author and freelance editor/subject-matter expert, specializing in Jewish thought, language, and history. He holds an M.A. in Jewish Education from Middlesex University in conjunction with the London School of Jewish Studies and received rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch (Yoreh Yoreh). He is the author of Lashon HaKodesh: History, Holiness, & Hebrew (Mosaica Press) and God versus Gods: Judaism in the Age of Idolatry. Klein's monthly column “Names & Numen” in the Jewish Press explores the etymology and significance of Jewish names, and his weekly column "What's in a Word?" about Hebrew synonyms appears in a range of publications including The 5 Towns Jewish Times (NYC), Jewish Tribune (UK), OhrNet (Online) and Times of Israel (Israel). He is currently a researcher for Oz V’Hadar’s Mishnayos Shearim project.
Last Updated
August 13, 2025
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In the biblical narrative (Genesis 26, 28), Esau marries Judith, Basemath, and Mahalath. A later genealogical list of Edomite clans (Genesis 36) says that he married Adah, Aholibamah, and Basemath. To make sense of this contradiction, medieval commentaries offer creative backstories, yielding different tallies for the total number of Esau’s wives.
In the biblical narrative (Genesis 26, 28), Esau marries Judith, Basemath, and Mahalath. A later genealogical list of Edomite clans (Genesis 36) says that he married Adah, Aholibamah, and Basemath. To make sense of this contradiction, medieval commentaries offer creative backstories, yielding different tallies for the total number of Esau’s wives.
Four times in the Bible, Argov clearly refers to a strip of land in the northern Transjordan. But the word Argov also appears a fifth time alongside “the lion” in the story of Pekah’s assassination of King Pekahiah—and there it is not a place. So, what does Argov really mean?
Four times in the Bible, Argov clearly refers to a strip of land in the northern Transjordan. But the word Argov also appears a fifth time alongside “the lion” in the story of Pekah’s assassination of King Pekahiah—and there it is not a place. So, what does Argov really mean?
