Topical Bible: Edomites: Writes Battle Songs Concerning his Conquest of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Edomites, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, are a significant group in biblical history, often depicted as adversaries of the Israelites. The relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites is complex, marked by familial ties and frequent conflict. The Edomites settled in the region of Mount Seir, south of the Dead Sea, and their territory was known as Edom, meaning "red," likely a reference to Esau's red complexion or the red sandstone of the region (Genesis 25:30).

Throughout the Old Testament, the Edomites are portrayed as a persistent thorn in the side of Israel. Despite their shared ancestry, the Edomites often opposed Israel, leading to numerous conflicts. One notable instance of this enmity is recorded during the reign of King David. David, a warrior king, expanded Israel's territory and subdued surrounding nations, including Edom. The biblical account in 2 Samuel 8:13-14 states, "And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. So the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went."

The subjugation of Edom under David's rule was a significant military achievement, and it is likely that battle songs and victory hymns were composed to commemorate this conquest. Such songs would have celebrated the might of Israel's God and the prowess of David as a divinely appointed leader. The tradition of composing songs to celebrate military victories is well-documented in the Bible, as seen in the Song of Moses (Exodus 15) and the Song of Deborah (Judges 5).

The prophetic literature of the Old Testament also reflects on the relationship between Israel and Edom. The prophet Obadiah delivers a message of judgment against Edom, highlighting their pride and violence against their brother Jacob. Obadiah 1:10-12 declares, "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble."

The Edomites' rejoicing over Israel's misfortunes and their participation in the plundering of Jerusalem are condemned by the prophets, further illustrating the deep-seated animosity between the two nations. This enmity is rooted in the ancient rivalry between Esau and Jacob, which is emblematic of the broader struggle between the nations they fathered.

In summary, the Edomites are a people intricately woven into the narrative of Israel's history. Their frequent opposition to Israel, despite their shared lineage, is a recurring theme in the biblical text. The conquest of Edom by David and the subsequent subjugation of the Edomites are celebrated as divine victories, likely immortalized in the battle songs of ancient Israel. These events underscore the complex interplay of kinship, conflict, and divine providence that characterizes the biblical portrayal of the Edomites.