Old Testament References

The biblical depiction of the Edomites is divided into four periods: the patriarchal age, the Transjordanian travels, the united monarchy, and the divided monarchy. The Bible describes Esau as the father of the Edomites (Gen 36:9, 43). The connection between Esau and Edom is based on etymology: Edom is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “red” (אָדֹם, adom). Twice in the patriarchal narratives, Esau is characterized with this terminology. At birth, he is described as being “reddish” (אַדְמוֹנִי, admoniy; Gen 25:25), and he sells his birthright to his brother, Jacob (later renamed Israel; Gen 32:28; 35:10), for some “red stuff” (הָאָדֹם, ha'adom; Gen 25:30). Esau was also called Edom (Gen 36:1, 8, 19, 43). The name “Edom” is also attributed to the red soil of the territory’s rocky hill country.

At some point, Esau drove out the Horites (Deut 2:22) and relocated his clan to the mountains of Seir. It is here that Moses and the wandering Israelites encountered the king of Edom (Num 20:20–21; Deut 2:4). It seems that the genealogical relationship between Esau and Edom was well-known, since Moses gives preferential treatment to the Edomites and refers to them as family (Deut 2:4; 23:7).

The books of Joshua and Judges make no mention of the Edomites’ interaction with Israel during the conquest and settlement. However, Saul, David, and Solomon each engaged Edom with military force (1 Sam 14:47; 2 Sam 8:14; 1 Kgs 11:14). David completely subdued Edom, leaving an Israelite military presence in the territory and collecting plunder for Yahweh (1 Chr 18:11, 13). During the reign of Solomon, the struggle between Edom and Judah/Israel began with Hadad’s rebellion (1 Kgs 11:14).

The coalition that existed between Joram of Israel, Jehoshaphat of Judah, and the deputy ruler of Edom against Mesha of Moab would not last long (e.g., 1 Kgs 22:47; 2 Kgs 3). Jehoram, Amaziah, and Ahaz all had conflicts with Edom for various reasons during the period of the divided monarchy (e.g., 2 Kgs 8:20–22; 2 Chr 25:14–20; 2 Chr 28:17). Prophetic literature reflects this tension with its numerous statements of judgment and doom upon Edom (e.g., Isa 34:5–6; Jer 49; Mal 1:4). Most of the book of Obadiah is prophecies against the Edomites.