Reference: Edom, Edomites
Hastings
The Edomites were a tribe or group of tribes residing in early Biblical times in Mount Seir (Ge 32:3; Jg 5:4), but covering territory on both sides of it. At times their territory seems to have included the region to the Red Sea and Sinai (1Ki 9:26; Jg 5:4). Edom or Esau was their reputed ancestor. The Israelites were conscious that the Edomites were their near kinsmen, hence the tradition that Esau and Jacob were twin brothers (Ge 25:24). That the Edomites were an older nation they showed by making Esau the firstborn twin. The tradition that Jacob tricked Esau out of his birthright (Ge 27), and that enmity arose between the brothers, is an actual reflexion of the hostile relations of the Edomites and Israelites for which the Israelites were to a considerable degree responsible.
Before the conquest of Canaan, Edom is said to have refused to let Israel pass through his territory (Nu 20:18,21). Probably during the period of the Judges, Edomites invaded southern Judah (cf. Paton, Syria and Palestine, 161 ff.). Possibly Edomites settled here and were incorporated in Judah, for Kenaz is said in Ge 36:11 to be a son of Esau, while in Jg 3:9 he is counted a Judahite.
During the monarchy Saul is said to have fought the Edomites (1Sa 14:47); David conquered Edom and put garrisons in the country (2Sa 8:13-14); Edom regained its independence under Solomon (1Ki 11:14-22); Jehoshaphat a century later reconquered Edom (cf. 1Ki 22:47-48), and Edomites helped him in his war with Moab (2Ki 3); in the reign of Joram, his successor, the Edomites regained their independence after a bloody revolution (2Ki 8:20-21); at the beginning of the next century Amaziah reconquered them for a short time, capturing Sela, and slaughtering a large number of them (2Ki 14:7). A little later Amos (Am 1:11 ff.) accuses Edom of pursuing his brother with the sword. During the next century Edom was independent of Israel, but paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser III., Sennacherib, Esarhaddon, and Ashurbanipal, kings of Assyria (cf. IB Keilinschriftliche Bibliothek ii. 21, 91, 149, 239).
In connexion with the wars of Nebuchadnezzar, which resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem in 586, many Jews migrated to Edom; but the Edomites rejoiced in the overthrow of the Jews. This deepened the old-time enmity, and called forth bitter denunciations and predictions of vengeance from Israel's prophets (cf. Eze 25:12-14; Ob 1:1 ff., Isa 63:1-7). A little later great suffering was inflicted on the Edomites by the Nabat
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then were fulfilled her days to bring forth, - and lo! twins in her womb.
Then did Jacob send messengers before him unto Esau his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.
And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass through my land, - lest with the sword, I come out to meet thee.
Thus did Edom refuse to give Israel passage through his boundary, - and Israel turned away from him.
And the sons of Israel made outcry unto Yahweh, so Yahweh raised up a saviour unto the sons of Israel, who saved them, - even Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
O Yahweh! When thou didst come forth out of Seir, When thou didst march along out of the field of Edom, Earth, trembled, Heaven also, poured forth, - Yea, dark clouds, poured forth waters;
O Yahweh! When thou didst come forth out of Seir, When thou didst march along out of the field of Edom, Earth, trembled, Heaven also, poured forth, - Yea, dark clouds, poured forth waters;
And, Saul, took possession of the kingdom over Israel, - and made war round about against all his enemies - against Moab, and against the sons of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines, and, whomsoever he turned against, he was victorious.
And David made a name, when he returned from his smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, - eighteen thousand. And he put, in Edom, garrisons, throughout all Edom, put be garrisons, and so it was that all Edom became servants unto David, - and Yahweh gave victory unto David, whithersoever he went.
A fleet also, did King Solomon build in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom.
And Yahweh raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, - of the seed of the king, was he, in Edom. And it came to pass, when David was dealing with Edom, and Joab general of the army went up to bury the slain, - and had smitten every male in Edom, - read more. for, six months, did Joab remain there, with all Israel, - until he had cut off every male in Edom, that Hadad fled, he and certain men of Edom of the servants of his father, with him, to go into Egypt, - Hadad being a little boy. So they arose out of Midian, and came into Paran, - and took certain men with them out of Paran, and came into Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house, and, food, appointed him, and, land, did give unto him. And Hadad found great favour in the eyes of Pharaoh, - so that he gave him to wife, the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. And the sister of Tahpenes bare to him Genubath his son, and Tahpenes weaned him, in the house of Pharaoh, - and so it came about, that Genubath was of the household of Pharaoh, among the sons of Pharaoh. And, when, Hadad, heard in Egypt, that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab general of the army was dead, Hadad said unto Pharaoh, Let me go, that I may take my journey unto mine own land. Then said Pharaoh unto him - But what hast thou been lacking with me, that lo! thou art seeking to take thy journey unto thine own land? And he said - Nothing, howbeit, let me go.
And, king, was there none in Edom, a prefect, was king. Jehoshaphat, made ships of Tarshish, to go to Ophir, for gold; but they went not, - for ships had been broken to pieces in Ezion-geber.
In his days, did Edom revolt from under the hand of Judah, - and they set over them a king. So Joram passed over to Zair, and all the chariots with him, - and it came to pass that, he, arising by night, smote the Edomites that were round about unto him, and the captains of the chariots, and the people fled to their homes,
He, smote Edom, in the valley of salt, ten thousand, and seized Sela, in the war, - and called the name thereof Joktheel, as it is until this day.
Who is this coming in from Edom With bright-red garments, from Bozrah? This made splendid in his raiment, Marching on in the greatness of his strength? I, speaking in righteousness, Mighty to save. Wherefore is there red, on thy raiment, - And thy garments as of one treading in a wine-trough? read more. A winepress, have I trodden, alone, And of the peoples, there was no man with me. So I trod them down in mine anger, And trampled upon then, in mine indignation, - And their life-blood besprinkled my garments, And all mine apparel, I defiled; For, a day of avenging, was in my heart, And the year of my redeemed, had come. Therefore looked I around, and there was none to help, - And I was astonished that there was none to uphold, - So, mine own arm brought me salvation, And mine indignation, the same upheld me; Then trod I down peoples in mine anger, And make them drunk with mine indignation, And brought down to the earth their life-blood. The lovingkindness of Yahweh, will I recall the praises of Yahweh, According to all that Yahweh hath bestowed upon us, - Even the abundance of goodness to the house of Israel, Which he bestowed upon them - According to his compassions and According to the abundance of his lovingkindness.
Thus, saith My Lord. Yahweh, Because of what Edom hath done, in taking vengeance on the house of Judah, so that they have become guilty again and again and have taken vengeance upon then I Therefore Thus, saith My Lord Yahweh, I will therefore stretch forth my hand over Edom, and will cut off therefrom man and beast, And will deliver it up as a desolation, from Teman, And they of Dedan, by the sword, shall fall, read more. And I will put forth mine avenging against Edom, by the hand of my people Israel, And they shall deal with Edom, according to mine anger and according to mine indignation,- So shall they know mine avenging, Declareth My Lord. Yahweh,
Thus, saith Yahweh, Because of three transgressions of Edom, and because of four, will I not turn it back, - Because he pursued, with the sword, his brother, and stifled his compassions, and his anger tare in pieces evermore, and, his indignation, kept watch perpetually,
The vision of Obadiah, - Thus, saith My Lord, Yahweh, concerning Edom - A rumour, have we heard from Yahweh, and, a herald, throughout the nations, hath been sent, Up! and let us rise against her to war.
Whereas Edom, may say, We are laid waste, but we will again build the desolate places, Thus, saith Yahweh of hosts, They, may build, but, I, will pull down, - and men shall call them, The Boundary of Lawlessness, and, The people with whom Yahweh hath indignation unto times age-abiding;