The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). Consequently, they were the most closely related nation to the Israelites, often referred to as “brothers” in the biblical text. They inhabited the rugged, mountainous region of Seir, south of the Dead Sea—a land famous for its red sandstone cliffs and natural fortresses (later associated with Petra). Despite their shared lineage, the history of Edom and Israel is defined by a deep, ancestral rivalry. Edom refused Israel passage during the Exodus, frequently raided Judah, and famously rejoiced when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians, an act of betrayal that earned them the blistering condemnation of the prophet Obadiah.
- Ancestry: Descendants of Esau (Son of Isaac)
- Region: Mount Seir / Idumea (South of the Dead Sea)
- Capital: Bozrah / Sela (Petra)
- Key God: Qos (National deity)
- Key Figures: Esau, Hadad, Doeg, Herod the Great
- Biblical Role: The unbrotherly brother; symbol of fleshly pride
- Fate: Conquered by Maccabees; absorbed into Judea (Idumeans)
- Symbol: The Eagle in the Cleft of the Rock
Name Meaning
The name “Edom” means “Red”. This name was given to Esau after he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of “red stew” (lentils). It also aptly describes the reddish color of the sandstone mountains in the region of Seir where they settled.
Origin / Family Background
The Stolen Blessing: The nation began with the rivalry between the twins, Jacob and Esau. While Jacob was a quiet man who stayed in the tents, Esau was a skillful hunter. After Jacob deceived their father Isaac to steal the blessing of the firstborn, Esau hated Jacob.
Settlement in Seir: While Jacob went to Padan Aram, Esau moved his family and possessions to the hill country of Seir, displacing the indigenous Horites. By the time Jacob returned, Esau had established a chieftancy there.
Biblical Era / Context
The Exodus: When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he asked the King of Edom for permission to pass through the “King’s Highway.” Moses appealed to their kinship (“brother Israel”), but Edom refused and brought out a heavy army to block the way, forcing Israel to take a long detour.
The Monarchy: King David conquered Edom and placed garrisons throughout the land. During the reign of Jehoram, Edom successfully revolted and set up their own king.
The Exile: When Babylon attacked Jerusalem in 586 BCE, the Edomites did not help their “brothers.” Instead, they cheered on the destruction, stood at the crossroads to cut off fugitives, and looted the city.
Key Interactions / Events
Doeg the Edomite: One of the most villainous Edomites in Scripture was Doeg, the chief shepherd of King Saul. When no Israelite would lift a hand against the priests of the Lord, Doeg slaughtered 85 priests at Nob on Saul’s command (1 Samuel 22).
The Prophecy of Obadiah: The shortest book in the Old Testament is entirely dedicated to the judgment of Edom. God condemns them for their violence against their brother Jacob and their arrogance in believing their mountain fortresses were invincible.
The Herodian Dynasty: In the intertestamental period, the Edomites (then called Idumeans) were forced to convert to Judaism. Herod the Great, the king who tried to kill baby Jesus, was an Idumean (Edomite), continuing the ancient hostility of Esau toward the chosen line of Jacob.
Major Roles / Identity
The Arrogant Fortress: Edom is frequently associated with pride because of their geography. Living in the high cliffs of Sela (Petra), they believed they could not be brought down. “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks” (Obadiah 1:3).
The Perpetual Enemy: “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” (Malachi 1:2). The tragedy of Edom is the betrayal of kinship. They represent the bitterness that refuses to forgive.
Notable Passages
Genesis 25:30: “He said to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!’ (That is why he was also called Edom.)”
Numbers 20:14: “Moses sent messengers… to the king of Edom… ‘You know all the hardships that have come upon us… Please let us pass through your country.’”
Psalm 137:7: “Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. ‘Tear it down,’ they cried, ‘tear it down to its foundations!’”
Malachi 1:2-3: “I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland.”
Legacy & Impact
Petra: The capital of Edom, Sela, is widely identified with Petra. Although the famous Treasury facade was carved later by the Nabataeans (who displaced the Edomites), the natural red rock fortress was the original stronghold of Edom.
The Flesh vs. The Spirit: Because Esau sold his spiritual inheritance for immediate physical gratification (food), Edom became a biblical archetype for the “profane” person who values the carnal over the eternal.
Symbolism / Typology
Red Earth: Just as “Adam” implies earth/mankind, “Edom” (Red) often symbolizes the earthly, carnal nature of man opposing the spiritual man (Israel).
The Eagle’s Nest: Symbolizes human security and pride. God warns that even if they build their nest among the stars like an eagle, He will bring them down.
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