Dishon

Genesis 36 introduces Dishon in its account of the Horite clans associated with the land of Edom. It lists Dishon among the sons of Seir the Horite, alongside Ezer and Dishan. One translation describes them as chiefs descended from Seir: "These are the chiefs that came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom."[1] The passage later includes Dishon in its concluding list and states, "Those are the clans of the Horites, clan by clan, in the land of Seir."[2]

Genesis 36 also names a second Dishon, identified as a child of Anah and therefore a grandson of Seir.[3] This Dishon is listed alongside Oholibamah; the two are described as siblings, and Oholibamah is identified as Esau's second wife.[4] Four sons are attributed to this Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.[2] First Chronicles 1 preserves a parallel genealogy, listing Dishon among the sons of Seir and separately identifying a Dishon as a son of Anah, with sons named Hamran, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran.[5]

The two are treated as separate biblical figures. The first is described as a son of Seir and a head of the Horite, or "aboriginal Idumean," tribes, with references to Genesis 36:21, 30 and First Chronicles 1:38. The second is identified as a son of Anah, a grandson of Seir, and a brother of Oholibamah, with references to Genesis 36:25 and First Chronicles 1:41.[4]

The biblical accounts contain several variations in names and spellings. Genesis 36 uses both Dishon and Dishan in related genealogical lists. A Sefaria translation note on verse 26 says that the Hebrew name rendered there as "Dishon" is "Dishan" and cross-references verses 21, 25, 28, and 30 without resolving the relationship among the similar names.[6] Genesis 36:29–30 also lists Dishon and Dishan separately among the Horite chiefs, while Dishan's children are named as Uz and Aran.[1]

The accounts differ on the name of Dishon's first listed son: Genesis gives Hemdan, while First Chronicles gives Hamran.[7] The texts therefore preserve both Dishon/Dishan and Hemdan/Hamran variations, while leaving the precise relationship among all the similarly named figures unclear.[7][6]

A modern Israeli locality shares the name Dishon. The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics lists Dishon as a moshav in the Northern District, situated in the Safed subdistrict within the Mevo'ot HaHermon Regional Council.[8] It was established in 1953 and recorded a population of 339 in 2022, including 331 Jewish residents.[8] The moshav lies near Israel's border with Lebanon and above Nahal Dishon in the Upper Galilee.[9][10]

The area around the moshav includes several natural sites. Ein Dishon, a spring hidden underground among the moshav's beehives, is reached by entering a concrete structure and crawling through a short passage. Inside is a small pool built of dressed stones beneath stone arches and filled with clear, cold water.[11] Nahal Dishon is fed by Ein Aviv and Ein Dishon, and a pool along the stream called Gave Shundi was named after the moshav.[10] A walking route of roughly 20 kilometers follows part of Nahal Dishon from Nabi Yusha to Highway 899, passing through wooded areas and exposed slopes; Nahal Aviv joins Nahal Dishon along the route.[12]

A 2026 report described life in Dishon during hostilities near the Lebanese border. Orchard grower Amit Fahima, who was working in an apple orchard during spraying season, said residents were tired from nighttime sirens and that farmers could not afford to delay replanting.[9] The biblical text and the modern locality are separate uses of the name, and the available sources establish no connection between them.[13]