The Edomites were a significant ancient people, descended from Esau, the elder twin brother of Jacob. Esau, also known as Edom, was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the grandson of Abraham. The narrative of Esau and his descendants is woven throughout the Old Testament, providing insight into their origins, interactions with Israel, and their eventual fate.

Ancestry and Early History

Esau, whose name means "hairy," was given the name Edom, meaning "red," after he sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal of red stew (Genesis 25:30). This transaction marked the beginning of a complex relationship between the descendants of Esau and Jacob. Esau's descendants, the Edomites, settled in the region of Seir, located southeast of the Dead Sea, which became known as Edom (Genesis 36:8).

Edom's Relationship with Israel

The relationship between the Edomites and the Israelites was marked by conflict and tension, stemming from the sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob. Despite being relatives, the Edomites often opposed Israel. When the Israelites sought passage through Edom during their exodus from Egypt, the Edomites refused, forcing Israel to take a longer route (Numbers 20:14-21).

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

Prophetic Pronouncements

The prophets of Israel often spoke against Edom, condemning their actions and foretelling their downfall. Obadiah, in particular, delivered a prophetic message against Edom, highlighting their pride and violence against their brother Jacob (Obadiah 1:10-12). Other prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, also pronounced judgments against Edom for their hostility and betrayal (Isaiah 34:5-6, Jeremiah 49:17-18, Ezekiel 25:12-14).

Later History and Legacy

The Edomites continued to play a role in the region's history, even after the Babylonian exile of Judah. During the intertestamental period, they were known as Idumeans. Herod the Great, the king of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth, was of Idumean descent, illustrating the lasting influence of the Edomites.

The Edomites' account is a testament to the enduring consequences of familial discord and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. Their interactions with Israel serve as a reminder of the complex relationships between neighboring nations in the biblical narrative.Genesis 36:9
And these are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in mount Seir:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Patriarchs.
... joined the Midianites and other tribes descended from Abraham's ... Esau went away to
Mount Seir, to the south ... his descendants were called the Edomites, from his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ii the patriarchs.htm

Chapter xxxvi
... Seir" usually designates the land of the Edomites, extending south ... the land before
the children of Esau overcame them ... does it), for one was descended from Seir ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm

About the Time of Christ, in Accordance with Prophecy, the Rulers ...
... 89] The Idumeans or Edomites were the descendants of Esau, and inhabited ... been invented
by friends and flatterers of Herod that he was descended from Jewish ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi about the time of.htm

The Israelites
... from whom the tribe was held to be descended bore the ... Had the name of Esau not been
preserved we should ... The Edomites refused them a passage along the high-road ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Chapter xxv
... the fifteenth year of the life of Jacob and Esau. ... the location of these twelve princes
descended from Ishmael ... Cushites on the south; the Edomites, Moabites, etc ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Canaan
... in Syria, the Mitannians appear to have descended from the ... 4] Kenaz was a grandson
of Esau, and the ... Edomites, rather than Hebrews, were the founders of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... and of Samuel the Prophet; [1116] the Edomites in the ... the blessings and the birthright,
while Esau was cast ... Jesus also descended to the place of darkness, and ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... where he lived was inhabited long after his death by Edomites, the descendants of
Esau. ... Near the high altar of this church one descended into the cave ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Who were the Edomites? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Edom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who/what is Edom (Obadiah 1:1, 8)? | GotQuestions.org

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