Genesis 36:39 names it as a town in Edom, also called Pa'i (פעי) in 1 Chronicles 1:50 - we have witnessed this variation of "i" and "u" repeatedly (e.g Peni-El and Penu-El).
In the Genesis tale, the city was ruled by Hadar (הֲדַר) the son of Ba'al-Chanan ben Achbor (בַּעַל חָנָן בֶּן-עַכְבּוֹר), the last named of the descendants of Esav in this tribal genealogy. Hadar's wife was Meheytav-El (מהיטהאל), the daughter of Matred (מטרד) and grand-daughter of Mey Zahav (מי זהב). However, the Chronicles version names him as Hadad (הֲדַ֔ד) rather than Hadar, while keeping the same genealogy.
The root is Pa'ah (פעה) = "to bleat" or "bellow". Isaiah 42:14 uses it for the cry of a woman in labour. It is also used for the hissing of a snake, whence Epheh (אפעה) = "a viper".
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