The Edomites were a Semitic people who descended from Esau, the elder twin brother of Jacob, making them closely related to the Israelites. The name "Edom" means "red," which is associated with Esau, who was described as red and hairy at birth (Genesis 25:25). The Edomites settled in the region south of the Dead Sea, an area that came to be known as Edom, or Idumea in later periods.

Biblical Origins and Early History

The origins of the Edomites are traced back to Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal of bread and lentil stew, which is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative (Genesis 25:29-34). The Edomites are first mentioned in Genesis 36, which provides a genealogy of Esau's descendants and details the chiefs and kings who ruled in Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites.

Territory and Settlements

Edom was located to the southeast of Israel, bordered by the Dead Sea to the west and the Arabian Desert to the east. The capital of Edom was Bozrah, and other significant cities included Sela (later known as Petra) and Teman. The region was known for its rugged terrain and red sandstone cliffs, which provided natural fortifications.

Relations with Israel

The relationship between the Edomites and the Israelites was complex and often hostile. Despite their shared ancestry, the two nations frequently clashed. When the Israelites were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land, the Edomites refused them passage through their territory (Numbers 20:14-21). This act of hostility set the tone for future conflicts.

Throughout the period of the Judges and the monarchy, the Edomites were often at odds with Israel. King Saul fought against them (1 Samuel 14:47), and King David eventually subdued them, placing garrisons in Edom and making the Edomites his subjects (2 Samuel 8:13-14). However, they regained independence during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:20-22).

Prophetic Literature

The prophets of Israel frequently spoke against Edom, condemning them for their pride and hostility towards Israel. The book of Obadiah is entirely dedicated to the judgment against Edom, highlighting their betrayal during the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Obadiah 1:10-12 states, "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them."

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos also prophesied against Edom, predicting its downfall and desolation (Isaiah 34:5-6; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Ezekiel 25:12-14; Amos 1:11-12).

Later History and Legacy

After the Babylonian exile, the Edomites were displaced from their homeland by the Nabateans and migrated into southern Judah, where they became known as Idumeans. During the Hasmonean period, John Hyrcanus forcibly converted them to Judaism. Herod the Great, an Idumean by descent, became king of Judea under Roman rule, further intertwining the histories of the Edomites and Israelites.

The Edomites, as a distinct people, eventually disappeared from history, but their legacy and the biblical prophecies concerning them remain a significant part of the scriptural narrative.E'domites (13 Occurrences)

Genesis 36:9
This is the history of the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir:
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2 Samuel 8:13
David got him a name when he returned from smiting the Syrians in the Valley of Salt, even eighteen thousand men.
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2 Samuel 8:14
He put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
(See RSV)

1 Kings 11:17
that Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt, Hadad being yet a little child.
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2 Kings 8:21
Then Joram passed over to Zair, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, and the captains of the chariots; and the people fled to their tents.
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2 Kings 14:7
He killed of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
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2 Kings 16:6
At that time Rezin king of Syria recovered Elath to Syria, and drove the Jews from Elath; and the Syrians came to Elath, and lived there, to this day.
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1 Chronicles 18:12
Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah struck of the Edomites in the Valley of Salt eighteen thousand.
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1 Chronicles 18:13
He put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David. Yahweh gave victory to David wherever he went.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 21:9
Then Jehoram passed over with his captains, and all his chariots with him: and he rose up by night, and struck the Edomites who surrounded him, along with the captains of the chariots.
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2 Chronicles 25:14
Now it happened, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them.
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2 Chronicles 28:17
For again the Edomites had come and struck Judah, and carried away captives.
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Psalms 137:7
O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.
(See RSV)

E'domites (13 Occurrences)
E'domites. Edomites, E'domites. Edom's . Multi-Version Concordance
E'domites (13 Occurrences). Genesis 36:9 This is the history ...
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Edomites (22 Occurrences)

/e/edomites.htm - 23k

Edom's (2 Occurrences)

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