Idumea, also known as Edom, is a region of significant historical and biblical importance. It is located to the south of ancient Judah and is often associated with the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. The name "Idumea" is the Greek form of "Edom," which means "red," likely referring to the red sandstone terrain of the region or the reddish appearance of Esau at birth (Genesis 25:25).

Biblical References and Historical Context

Idumea is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is identified as the land settled by Esau and his descendants. Genesis 36:8 states, "So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir." The Edomites, the inhabitants of Idumea, were often in conflict with the Israelites, reflecting the tumultuous relationship between Esau and Jacob.

The Edomites refused passage to the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt, as recorded in Numbers 20:14-21. This act of hostility set the stage for future animosities. The prophet Obadiah prophesied against Edom, condemning them for their violence against their brother Jacob and predicting their downfall (Obadiah 1:10-14).

During the reign of King David, Edom was subjugated and became a vassal state (2 Samuel 8:13-14). However, the Edomites regained independence during the reign of King Jehoram of Judah (2 Kings 8:20-22).

Prophetic Significance

The prophets frequently spoke against Edom, highlighting its pride and eventual judgment. Isaiah 34:5-6 speaks of the Lord's sword descending in judgment upon Edom, and Jeremiah 49:17-18 predicts its desolation. Ezekiel 25:12-14 also prophesies against Edom for taking vengeance on the house of Judah.

New Testament and Later History

By the time of the New Testament, Idumea had become a Roman province. Herod the Great, the king of Judea at the time of Jesus' birth, was of Idumean descent. This connection is significant, as Herod's rule and his attempt to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:16) are seen as a continuation of the enmity between the descendants of Esau and Jacob.

Mark 3:8 mentions that people from Idumea came to hear Jesus, indicating the region's continued existence and its people's interest in the teachings of Christ.

Cultural and Theological Insights

Idumea's history is a testament to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and the sovereignty of God over nations. The persistent conflict between Israel and Edom serves as a reminder of the consequences of familial discord and the enduring nature of divine justice. The account of Idumea underscores the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ultimate plan for redemption through Jesus Christ, who reconciles all enmity.Idumea

red; earthy; bloody

Idumea

(red). [EDOM, IDUMAEA OR IDUMEA]

Idumea

The name given by the Greeks to the land of Edom, or mount Seir, which extended originally from the Dead sea to the Elanitic gulf of the Red sea, including a territory about on hundred miles long, and fifteen or twenty wide. Afterwards is extended more into the south of Judah, towards Hebron. A large part of it was occupied by the long chain of mountains lying between the great sandy valley El-Ghor and El-Arabah on the west, (see JORDAN,) and the Arabian Desert on the east. The northern part of this chain is now called Djebal, the ancient Gebal, which see; the remainder of the chain takes the name Jebel Shera. The whole chain is intersected with valleys and ravines, running down from the elevated desert on the east to the Arabah on the west. It contains traces of many towns and villages, long since destroyed, and many springs, and fertile valleys with tokens of its former productiveness, Genesis 27:39. But at this day, desolation reigns. The capital of East Idumaea was Bozra; but the chief capital of Edom was Petra, or Sela, that is, the rock, because it was excavated in part from a mountain. It is now called Wady Mousa, the valley of Moses. See SELA.

The original inhabitants of this country were called Horites, and were dispossessed by the Idumaeans of history, Genesis 14:6 36:21 De 12:2. The true Idumaeans, or Edomites, were, as their name implies, descendants of Edom, or Esau, elder brother of Jacob, Genesis 36:6-9. They were governed by dukes or princes, Genesis 36:15, and afterwards by their own kings, Genesis 36:31. Compare Exodus 15:15 Numbers 20:14. On the approach of the Israelites from Egypt to the western border of Edom, they were refused a peaceful passage through that country to Moab. See EXODUS. They were divinely charged, however, to preserve friendly relations with their "brother" Esau, Numbers 20:14-21 De 2:4-7 23:7. Yet, hostilities seemed inevitable. Saul was involved in war with them, 1 Samuel 14:47; but they continued independent till the time of David, who subdued them, in completion of Isaac's prophecy, that Jacob should rule Esau, Genesis 27:29 2 Samuel 8:14 1 Kings 11:15 1 Chronicles 18:11-13. The Idumaeans bore their subjection with great impatience, and at the end of Solomon's reign, Hadad, an Edomite prince who had been carried into Egypt during his childhood, returned into his own country, where he pronounced himself to be acknowledged king, 1 Kings 11:14-22. It is probable, however, that he reigned only in East Edom, 1 Kings 22:47 2 Chronicles 20:36; for Edom south of Judea continued subject to the kings of Judah till the reign of Jehoram, against who it rebelled, 2 Chronicles 21:8, in fulfillment of the second part of Isaac's prophecy, Genesis 27:40. Amaziah king of Judah also discomfited the Edomites, killed 1,000 men, and cast 10,000 more from a precipice, 2 Kings 14:7 2 Chronicles 25:11,12. But these conquests were not permanent. When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, the Idumaeans joined him, and encouraged him to raze the very foundation of the city; but their cruelty did not long continue unpunished. Many predictions of the prophets foreshadowed Edom's real doom, Obadiah 1:1-21 Jeremiah 49:7 Ezekiel 25:17 Malachi 1:3,4. Five years after the taking of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar humbled all the states around Judea, particularly Idumaea, though he did not carry them captive; and subsequently John Hyrcanus drove them from Southern Judea, into which they had penetrated, entirely conquered them, and obliged them to receive circumcision and law. They continued subject to the later kings of Judea till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Josephus informs us that 20,000 of them were summoned to aid in the defense of that city, but gave themselves up to rapine and murder. Ultimately, the Idumaeans were supplanted and absorbed by the Nabathean, descendants of Nabaioth, a son of Ishmael. In the time of their prosperity, the Edomites were numerous and powerful, devoted to commerce by land and by sea, and also to agriculture and the raising of cattle, Numbers 20:17. But neither their strong rock-fortresses, Jeremiah 49:16, nor their gods, 2 Chronicles 25:20 could save that rich and salubrious country from becoming a desert, and a striking monument to the truth of prophecy.

IDUMAEA; IDUMAEANS

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

See EDOM.

2401. Idoumaia -- Idumea, a region South of Judea
... Idumea, a region South of Judea. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Idoumaia Phonetic Spelling: (id-oo-mah'-yah) Short Definition: Idumea, Edom ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2401.htm - 6k

745. Archelaos -- "people-ruling," Archelaus, a son of Herod the ...
... 744, 745. Archelaos. 746 . "people-ruling," Archelaus, a son of Herod
the Great and king of Judea, Samaria and Idumea. Part of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/745.htm - 6k

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

A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. ...
... This excluded portion is passed into the name of Idumea. Hence Pliny: "Presently
from the rising up of the lake Sirbon, begins Idumea ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 3 a great part.htm

How Esau and Jacob, Isaac's Sons Divided their Habitation;
... CHAPTER 1. How Esau And Jacob, Isaac's Sons Divided Their Habitation; And
Esau Possessed Idumea And Jacob Canaan. 1. After the death ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how esau and.htm

Betar
... Josephus mentions "Betaris, and Cephartobas, two midland towns of Idumea":"where
by Idumea he means the southern part of Judea, especially that that was ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 52 betar.htm

Of the Predictions Concerning the Salvation of the World in Christ ...
... Obadiah, so far as his writings are concerned, the briefest of all the prophets,
speaks against Idumea, that is, the nation of Esau, that reprobate elder of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 31 of the predictions concerning.htm

That Vespasian, after He had Taken Gadara Made Preparation for the ...
... He then overran the Acrabattene toparchy, and the places that reached as far as
the Great Idumea; for he built a wall at a certain village called Nain, and ...
/.../chapter 9 that vespasian after.htm

The Parthians Bring Antigonus Back into Judea, and Cast Hyrcanus ...
... Now as they were in their flight, many joined themselves to him every day; and at
a place called Thressa of Idumea his brother Joseph met him, and advised him ...
/.../chapter 13 the parthians bring.htm

The Choice of the Twelve
... "And Jesus with His disciples withdrew to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee
followed: and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 3 7-19 the choice of.htm

Cestius Sends Ambassadors to Nero. The People of Damascus Slay ...
... 4. They also chose other generals for Idumea; Jesus, the son of Sapphias, one of
the high priests; and Eleazar, the son of Ananias, the high priest; they also ...
/.../chapter 9 cestius sends ambassadors.htm

How Vespasian Upon Hearing of Some Commotions in Gall, Made Haste ...
... He then destroyed that place, and the neighboring places, by fire, and fortified,
at proper places, the strong holds all about Idumea; and when he had seized ...
/.../chapter 8 how vespasian upon.htm

How Antony Made Herod and Phasaelus Tetrarchs, after they had Been ...
... and his youngest brother, and all their servants, and the rest of the multitude
that was with him, and without the enemy's privity pursued his way to Idumea. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 13 how antony made.htm

Idumea (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia IDUMAEA; IDUMAEANS. id-u-me'-a, id-u-me'-anz.
See EDOM. Multi-Version Concordance Idumea (5 Occurrences). ...
/i/idumea.htm - 8k

Idume'a (1 Occurrence)
Idume'a. Idumea, Idume'a. Ieddias . Multi-Version Concordance Idume'a (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Idumea, Idume'a. Ieddias . Reference Bible.
/i/idume'a.htm - 6k

Judaea (45 Occurrences)
... After the death of Herod the Great, Archelaus received Judea, Samaria and Idumea
as his ethnarchy, but on his deposition Judea was absorbed into the Roman ...
/j/judaea.htm - 24k

Idumaeans

/i/idumaeans.htm - 6k

Teman (12 Occurrences)
... 15, 42). (2.) A place in Southern Idumea, the land of "the sons of the
east," frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. It was ...
/t/teman.htm - 12k

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... God his strength. (1.) One of Job's "three friends" who visited him in his affliction
(4:1). He was a "Temanite", ie, a native of Teman, in Idumea. ...
/e/eliphaz.htm - 15k

Elath (6 Occurrences)
... Grove; trees, (Deuteronomy 2:8), also in plural form Eloth (1 Kings 9:26, etc.);
called by the Greeks and Romans Elana; a city of Idumea, on the east, ie, the ...
/e/elath.htm - 10k

Edom (108 Occurrences)
... (2.) Idumea (Isaiah 34:5, 6; Ezek. 35:15). "The field of Edom" (Genesis 32:3),
"the land of Edom" (Genesis 36:16), was mountainous (Obadiah 1:8, 9, 19, 21). ...
/e/edom.htm - 53k

Eder (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Flock. (1.) A city in the south of Judah, on the
border of Idumea (Joshua 15:21). (2.) The second of the ...
/e/eder.htm - 10k

Who were the Hasmoneans? | GotQuestions.org

Who/what is Edom (Obadiah 1:1, 8)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Herod the Great? | GotQuestions.org

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