Encampment in the desert, with Mount Seir in the distance, W Wellcome V0049424Unknown · CC BY 4.0

Edomites

אֲדֹמִי/EE-dum-ites/

“Descendant of Edom (the red one)”

Summary

The descendants of Esau (Edom) who occupied the mountainous region south of the Dead Sea and maintained a hostile relationship with Israel throughout biblical history.

☩Isaac's Prophecy

Isaac's blessing to Esau set the course for his descendants: 'Thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. By thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.' This prophecy was fulfilled through centuries of conflict. Though repeatedly defeated by Israelite kings, the Edomites eventually gained their independence, demonstrating the truth of Isaac's word that they would 'break his yoke.'

Key verses:Genesis 27:39-40

☩Conflict and Survival

The Edomites' fierce refusal to let Israel pass through their territory revealed their hostile disposition. Despite suffering severe defeats—even the slaying of 'every male in Edom' during David's reign—they recovered and remained a significant people. Their numbers must have greatly increased, as shown by the thousands killed in various wars. In the Maccabean period, John Hyrcanus compelled the Edomites to be circumcised and conform to Jewish law or leave the country. They submitted, and from their number came Antipater, father of Herod the Great, who though an Edomite (Idumean) by birth became nominally Jewish and eventually ruled Judea.