Location:

• Biblical: The land of Edom (אֱדוֹם), also called Mount Seir (הַר שֵׂעִיר)
• Modern Location: Southern Jordan and southern Israel (from the Zered River to the Gulf of Aqaba)

Significance:

• First mention: Genesis 25:30 (Esau called Edom after red stew)
• Last mention: Malachi 1:4 (YHWH will throw down Edom’s buildings)
• Symbolic: Fleshly man, enmity against God’s people, pride, world system
• Major Events:
  • Esau settles there (Gen 36:8)
  • Israel denied passage (Num 20:14–21)
  • David conquers Edom (2 Sam 8:13–14)
  • Edom rejoices at Jerusalem’s fall (Ps 137:7; Obad 1:10–14)
  • Herod the Great (an Edomite) rules Judea (Matt 2)

People

• Esau (the progenitor)
• Edomites (עֲדֹמִים / descendants of Esau)

Military

• Edom is often lumped with Israel's enemies (e.g., Psalm 83:4–8 lists Edom among a broad anti-Israel conspiracy with Assyria, Ishmaelites, Moab, Ammon, Amalek, Philistia, Tyre, and others—possibly hyperbolic poetry rather than a historical pact).
• Involvement in several temporary coalitions (alliances) with neighboring nations:

  • Rebellion Against Babylon (ca. 593 BC) – Anti-Babylonian Coalition; Jer-27

    • Edom (hostile to Judah but united against Babylon), Moab, Ammon, Tyre (Phoenicia), Sidon (Phoenicia), Judah (led by Zedekiah)

  • Invasion of Judah (ca. 870–849 BC) – Triple Alliance Against Jehoshaphat 2 Chron-20

    • Edom (Mount Seir region), Moab, Ammon (including "some of the Meunites" – possibly Arab tribes)

  • Campaign Against Moab (ca. 840s BC) – Triple Alliance with Israel and Judah 2 Kings-03

    • Edom (provided access through its land; possibly troops as a subordinate), Israel (King Joram), Judah (King Jehoshaphat)

Connections