Idumaea
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Geographical and Historical Context:

Idumaea, also known as Edom, is a region of significant historical and biblical importance located to the south of ancient Judah, extending from the southern part of the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. The territory is characterized by its rugged terrain and red sandstone mountains, which are reflected in its name, as "Edom" means "red" in Hebrew. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, inhabited this region. The relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites was complex, marked by both kinship and conflict.

Biblical References:

The Bible frequently mentions Idumaea and its people, the Edomites. In Genesis 36:8, the Berean Standard Bible states, "So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir." This verse establishes the connection between Esau and the land of Edom, highlighting the ancestral roots of the Edomites.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Edomites often appear as adversaries of Israel. In Numbers 20:14-21, the Israelites, during their wilderness journey, requested passage through Edom but were denied, leading to a detour around the land. This incident exemplifies the tension between the two nations.

The prophets frequently pronounced judgments against Edom for their hostility towards Israel. Obadiah, in particular, is a prophetic book dedicated to the condemnation of Edom. Obadiah 1:10 declares, "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever." This verse underscores the divine retribution prophesied against Edom for their actions against Israel.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Idumaea holds a significant place in biblical history due to its association with Esau and its role in the narrative of Israel's journey and conflicts. The Edomites' refusal to assist the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt is a pivotal moment that reflects the longstanding enmity between the two nations.

Despite their opposition to Israel, the Edomites were also part of God's broader plan. The prophets' oracles against Edom serve as reminders of God's justice and sovereignty over all nations. The eventual downfall of Edom, as prophesied, is seen as a fulfillment of divine judgment.

Later Historical Developments:

In the intertestamental period, Idumaea came under the control of various empires, including the Babylonians, Persians, and eventually the Greeks. During the Hasmonean dynasty, John Hyrcanus I conquered Idumaea around 125 BC and forced the Edomites to convert to Judaism. This led to the integration of the Idumaeans into Jewish society, with Herod the Great, an Idumaean, becoming king of Judea under Roman rule.

Conclusion:

Idumaea's history is a testament to the complex interplay of kinship, conflict, and divine providence in the biblical narrative. Its legacy is intertwined with the account of Israel and the unfolding of God's purposes throughout the Old Testament.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Greek form of Edom (Isaiah 34:5, 6; Ezek. 35:15; 36:5, but in R.V. "Edom"). (see EDOM).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
IDUMAEA; IDUMAEANS

id-u-me'-a, id-u-me'-anz.

See EDOM.

Greek
2401. Idoumaia -- Idumea, a region South of Judea
... Idumaea. Of Hebrew origin ('Edom); Idumaea (ie Edom), a region East (and South)
of Palestine -- Idumaea. see HEBREW 'Edom. (idoumaias) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2401.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
2510. Chalaq -- "smooth," a mountain South of the Dead Sea
... Halak. The same as chalaq; bare; Chalak, a mountain of Idumaea -- Halak. see HEBREW
chalaq. 2509, 2510. Chalaq. 2511 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2510.htm - 6k

6811. Tsair -- a place on the border of Edom
... 1). Zair. The same as tsa'iyr; Tsair, a place in Idumaea -- Zair. see HEBREW
tsa'iyr. 6810, 6811. Tsair. 6812 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6811.htm - 6k

4957. Masreqah -- a place in Edom
... Masrekah. A form for Sowreq used denominatively; vineyard; Masrekah, a place in
Idumaea -- Masrekah. see HEBREW Sowreq. 4956, 4957. Masreqah. 4958 . ...
/hebrew/4957.htm - 6k

2023. Hor -- two mountains in Palestine
... NASB Word Usage Hor (12). Hor. Another form of har; mountain; Hor, the name of a
peak in Idumaea and of one in Syria -- Hor. see HEBREW har. 2022, 2023. ...
/hebrew/2023.htm - 6k

8165. Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhab., also a ...
... Seir. Formed like sa'iyr; rough; Seir, a mountain of Idumaea and its aboriginal
occupants, also one in Palestine -- Seir. see HEBREW sa'iyr. 8164, 8165. ...
/hebrew/8165.htm - 6k

3371. Yoqtheel -- a city in Judah, also a city in Edom
... Probably from the same as Yaqeh and 'el; veneration of God (compare Yquwthiy'el);
Joktheel, the name of a place in Palestine, and of one in Idumaea -- Joktheel ...
/hebrew/3371.htm - 6k

5554. Sela -- a city in Edom
... rock, Selah. The same as cela'; Sela, the rock-city of Idumaea -- rock, Sela(-h).
see HEBREW cela'. 5553, 5554. Sela. 5555 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5554.htm - 6k

123. edom -- the name of a condiment
... 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied
by him -- Edom, Edomites, Idumea. see HEBREW 'adom. 122, 123. edom. 124 ...
/hebrew/123.htm - 6k

2928. Telem -- an Israelite, also a place in the desert of Judah
... Telem. From an unused root meaning to break up or treat violently; oppression; Telem,
the name of a place in Idumaea, also of a temple doorkeeper -- Telem. ...
/hebrew/2928.htm - 6k

1381. Gebal -- a region South of the Dead Sea
... Gebal (1). Gebal. The same as Gbal; Gebal, a region in Idumaea -- Gebal. see
HEBREW Gbal. 1380, 1381. Gebal. 1382 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1381.htm - 6k

Library

A Brother to all who do the Will of God
... himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed
him, and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter iii a brother to.htm

For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... family. The descendant of old John Hyrcanus of Idumaea"a Jew only by
compulsion"had no understanding of the children of Moses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 16 for the king.htm

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
... safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed;
and from Jud??a, 8 and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xl jesus heals multitudes beside.htm

A Multitude of Disciples.
... Jesus with his disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee
followed; and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and beyond ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/a multitude of disciples.htm

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... Wine in ice came from the Lebanon; a certain kind of vinegar from Idumaea; beer
from Media and Babylon; a barley-wine (zythos) from Egypt. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 5. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Thesaurus
Idumaea (1 Occurrence)
... (see EDOM). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. IDUMAEA; IDUMAEANS. id-u-me'-a,
id-u-me'-anz. See EDOM. Multi-Version Concordance Idumaea (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/idumaea.htm - 7k

Edomites (22 Occurrences)
... 5. Idumaea and the Idumeans: West of the `Arabah the country they occupied came
to be known by the Greek name Idumaea, and the people as Idumeans. ...
/e/edomites.htm - 23k

Edom (108 Occurrences)
... 5. Idumaea and the Idumeans: West of the `Arabah the country they occupied came
to be known by the Greek name Idumaea, and the people as Idumeans. ...
/e/edom.htm - 53k

Idumaeans
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia IDUMAEA; IDUMAEANS.
id-u-me'-a, id-u-me'-anz. See EDOM. ...
/i/idumaeans.htm - 6k

Asmoneans
... The next year was spent in the reduction of Idumaea, the Jordan territory, the
Ammonites, and several important strongholds of the enemy, whilst Simon marched ...
/a/asmoneans.htm - 27k

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
... of Magdala. (See NIV). Mark 3:8 from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan,
and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude ...
/v/vicinity.htm - 11k

Vast (54 Occurrences)
... Mark 3:8 and from Judaea and Jerusalem and Idumaea and from beyond the Jordan and
from the district of Tyre and Sidon there came to Him a vast crowd, hearing ...
/v/vast.htm - 22k

Kabzeel (3 Occurrences)
... Gathering of God, a city in the extreme south of Judah, near to Idumaea (Joshua
15:21), the birthplace of Benaiah, one of David's chief warriors (2 Samuel 23:20 ...
/k/kabzeel.htm - 8k

Gorgias
... defeated. Jamnia as given in Josephus, Ant, XII, viii, 6, is probably
the correct reading for Idumaea in 2 Maccabees 12:32. The ...
/g/gorgias.htm - 7k

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