The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the firstborn son of Isaac who was the son of Abraham (Genesis 25:19-34). Esau’s other name was Edom (Genesis 25:30), which came from the red lentil stew he traded his birthright for. The name Edom means “red.”
Esau married two Hittite women which displeased his parents Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34-35). Later, he married a daughter of Ishmael named Mahalath, hoping to gain favor with his parents (Genesis 28:8-9). Esau had five sons from his three wives – Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam and Korah (Genesis 36:4-5, 14-15).
The descendants of Esau inhabited the land south and southeast of the Dead Sea, called the “land of Seir” (Genesis 32:3). Mount Seir was named after Seir the Horite whose descendants inhabited the land before the Edomites took possession of it (Genesis 36:20-21). God promised Jacob that his descendants would one day possess Edom’s land (Genesis 27:39-40).
When the Israelites approached Edom during the Exodus from Egypt, they requested passage through Edom’s land but the king of Edom refused and came against them “with a large army and with a strong force” (Numbers 20:14-21). This began the rivalry and animosity between Israel and Edom that would last for centuries.
King Saul fought against Edom early in his reign but the details are unknown (1 Samuel 14:47). David conquered Edom during his reign and “put garrisons throughout all Edom” (2 Samuel 8:13-14). The Edomites were forced into subjection under David’s rule.
During the reign of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, the Edomites attempted to revolt but failed (2 Chronicles 20:22-23). Jehoram succeeded his father Jehoshaphat as king of Judah and the Edomites rebelled against him as well (2 Chronicles 21:8-10). They became independent of Judah’s rule during Jehoram’s reign.
After the reign of Jehoram ended, the Edomites continued their aggression against Judah’s borders during the reign of his son Ahaziah (2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chronicles 21:16-17). They killed Ahaziah’s relatives and seized their possessions.
Later, during the reign of Amaziah king of Judah, the Israelites were victorious over the Edomites in battle again (2 Kings 14:7; 2 Chronicles 25:11-12). Yet the Edomites continued to create problems for Judah.
The most significant event involving the Edomites was their participation in the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Edomites gave help and encouragement to Nebuchadnezzar’s army (Psalm 137:7; Ezekiel 25:12-14). For this, the prophets declared judgments upon Edom (Isaiah 34:5-8; Jeremiah 49:7-22; Lamentations 4:21-22; Ezekiel 25:13-14; Amos 1:11-12).
After the fall of Jerusalem, many Edomites settled in southern Judah. They were later forced out of the southern lands and into the regions that became known as Idumea. The Edomites were conquered and forced to convert to Judaism by the Hasmoneans in the 2nd century BC.
King Herod the Great, an Idumean, ruled over Judea under Rome’s occupation in the 1st century BC and at the time of Jesus’ birth. Though Herod ruled over Judea, the Idumeans (or Edomites) were still despised by the Jews for their earlier support of Babylon against Jerusalem. They were viewed as half-Jews.
The prophecy of Obadiah foretold the destruction of Edom with no survivors. History confirms that the Edomites were utterly wiped out as a people and nation, fulfilling this prophecy made against them for violence against their relatives, the Israelites (Obadiah 1:10, 18). They apparently blended in and assimilated with other people during the intertestamental period and ceased to exist as the nation of Edom.
In summary, the Edomites were:
- The descendants of Esau who was the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah
- The inhabitants of the land south of the Dead Sea who warred frequently with Israel
- Allied with Babylon when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem
- Judged by God and destroyed because of their violence against Israel
- Conquered by the Jewish Hasmoneans and forced to convert to Judaism in the 2nd century BC
- Eventually blended in and assimilated with other people groups as Obadiah prophesied
The history of the Edomites provides many examples of God’s promises to Israel being fulfilled. Though Esau was firstborn, God chose Jacob and his descendants to carry on the line of promise (Genesis 25:23; Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:10-13). God brought judgments upon Edom both directly through Israel and through Babylon as punishment for how they treated the Israelites.
Even when the Edomites attempted to fight and rebel against subjection to Israel, God’s purposes prevailed. The theme is seen of those who fight against Israel ultimately being defeated, whether it was the Canaanites, Philistines, Egyptians, Babylonians, or the Edomites. And those who try to thwart God’s promises and blessings towards Israel face certain judgment.
The Edomites stand out as descendants of Abraham who could have followed God but chose a path of animosity instead. Their pride, envy and hatred of their brother nation led to their eventual downfall. The Edomites serve both as a warning and a confirmation of God’s faithfulness to His promises made to Israel. Though Israel endured times of judgment for their own disobedience, God preserved them and destroyed those who perpetrated violence and bloodshed against them.
While there are some unanswered questions about the Edomites, the biblical accounts provide the most detail about their interactions with Israel. Their existence is confirmed by historical records as well. But ultimately, the demise of the Edomites serves as an affirmation of God’s Word. He keeps His promises, judges the wicked, but preserves His chosen nation Israel.
