Topical Bible: The Edomites: Took Refuge in Egypt

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Edomites, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, have a complex history intertwined with the Israelites. Known for their rugged territory southeast of the Dead Sea, the Edomites often found themselves in conflict with their Israelite relatives. However, there are instances in biblical history where the Edomites sought refuge in Egypt, a land that frequently served as a place of asylum during times of distress.

Historical Context

The Edomites, occupying the region of Seir, were a significant group during the biblical era. Their relationship with Israel was marked by both kinship and hostility. The Edomites refused passage to the Israelites during the Exodus (Numbers 20:14-21), and later, they were subjugated by King David (2 Samuel 8:13-14). Despite these tensions, the Edomites occasionally found themselves in need of refuge, particularly during periods of political upheaval or military threat.

Biblical References

One notable instance of Edomites seeking refuge in Egypt is found in the context of the Babylonian conquest. As the Babylonian Empire expanded, many nations, including Judah, faced destruction and exile. The Edomites, who had allied with Babylon against Judah (Psalm 137:7; Obadiah 1:11-14), eventually found themselves threatened by the same imperial power they had once supported.

Jeremiah 40:11-12 provides insight into this period: "Likewise, all the Jews in Moab, Ammon, and Edom, and in all the other lands, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant in Judah and had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, over them. So all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been banished and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered an abundance of wine and summer fruit."

While this passage specifically mentions the Jews, it highlights the broader movement of peoples during the Babylonian conquest, suggesting that the Edomites, too, may have sought refuge in neighboring regions, including Egypt, to escape Babylonian aggression.

Edomites in Egypt

The Edomites' presence in Egypt is not extensively detailed in the biblical text, but historical and archaeological evidence suggests that Egypt was a common destination for those fleeing Babylonian expansion. Egypt, with its relative stability and resources, offered a sanctuary for various displaced groups, including the Edomites.

The prophet Jeremiah, who himself was taken to Egypt against his will (Jeremiah 43:5-7), provides a backdrop for understanding the geopolitical dynamics of the time. Egypt's role as a refuge is further underscored by its interactions with other nations and its strategic importance in the ancient Near East.

Legacy and Implications

The Edomites' refuge in Egypt reflects the broader theme of displacement and survival in the biblical narrative. Their movement highlights the fluidity of national boundaries and the interdependence of ancient Near Eastern societies. The Edomites' experience serves as a testament to the enduring struggle for security and identity amidst the shifting sands of political power.

Throughout their history, the Edomites remained a resilient people, adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining their distinct cultural and ethnic identity. Their refuge in Egypt is a chapter in their long and storied existence, illustrating the complexities of their relationship with both their neighbors and the broader ancient world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:17-19
That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Nations of the South-East
... The Israelites, however, recognised in the Edomites brethren of ... Moses had found a
refuge in Midian, and his ... the wilderness, and the Kenites, who took part with ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... In fact, till the Sinaitic Peninsula and the frontiers of Egypt are reached ... Semitic
name,** as too does the Sheikh Ammianshi, with whom Sinuhit took refuge.***. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Israelites
... of Edom, who, though they came to Egypt seeking pasturage ... The Edomites refused them
a passage along the high ... David fled from Hebron and took refuge in his old ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... was about six years old, Elizabeth took the opportunity ... that outer circumstances
made him take refuge in the ... long after his death by Edomites, the descendants ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... and set apart for the work, took command of ... territory of Canaan, the cities of Refuge,
the cities ... and southeast, the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites, the last ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... When David took it, he named it Jerusalem, or the ... made the Philistines, Moabites,
Ammonites, and Edomites pay him ... him, and drove him to take refuge with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The Maccabees.
... and forced the Greek garrison to take refuge in a ... to defend the south border of Judea
against the Edomites. ... His brothers, Jonathan and Simon, took up his body ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xviii the maccabees.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian monarch, besieged and took Jerusalem, the ... and even
the temple was no refuge for them ... else he was urged by the Edomites and others ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Canaan
... in pursuing David, and David himself took service as a ... from his capital, Hebron,
and take refuge in an ... Edomites, rather than Hebrews, were the founders of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner ... banks,
precipitous as a wall above a moat; sometimes they took refuge upon some ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm