“Baal Ḥanan son of Akhbor died, and Hadar reigned in his stead, and the name of the city was Pa’u and his wife’s name was Mehetavel, daughter of Matred, daughter of Mei Zahav” (Genesis 36:39). “Baal Ḥanan died” – Rabbi Levi and Rabbi Simon, Rabbi Levi said: They would adorn [their] gods [metivei elohot]. “Mehetavel” – they would adorn themselves for idol worship. “Daughter of Matred” – they would erect castles [turiyot] for idol worship.
Rabbi Simon said: They would adorn women. “Mehetavel” – they would adorn her for her husband and then would take [toredin] her from her husband. “Daughter of Mei Zahav” – they were preoccupied with their sustenance; once they became wealthy, [they would say:] What is gold [mahu dahava]? What is silver?12They would boast that gold and silver were no longer valuable in their eyes.
“The chieftain of Magdiel, the chieftain of Iram. These are the chieftains of Edom, according to their settlements in their apportioned land. He is Esau, father of Edom” (Genesis 36:43). “The chieftain of Magdiel, the chieftain of Iram” – on the day that Diocletian assumed the throne, Rabbi Ami saw in his dream: Today, Magdiel assumed the throne.
He said: ‘One more king is required for Edom.’ “The chieftain of Iram” – Rabbi Ḥanina of Tzippori said: Why is he called Iram? Because he is destined to pile [laarom] treasures for the messianic king. Rabbi Levi said: There was an incident involving a certain ruler in Rome who would squander his father’s treasures.
Elijah appeared to him in a dream. He said to him: ‘Your fathers gathered and you squander?’ He did not move from there until he refilled them.13The ruler immediately made it his top priority to replenish the treasures.