Topical Encyclopedia The enmity between the descendants of Esau, known as the Edomites, and the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites, is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative. This hostility is rooted in the familial conflict between Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, as recorded in the Book of Genesis. The struggle for the birthright and blessing, which Jacob obtained through cunning, set the stage for the animosity that would persist through their descendants.Genesis 27:41 provides the initial insight into Esau's feelings toward Jacob: "So Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau determined in his heart: 'The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'" This animosity, though personal at first, extended to their progeny over generations. The Edomites settled in the region of Seir, south of the Dead Sea, and their interactions with the Israelites were often marked by conflict. During the Exodus, when the Israelites sought passage through Edomite territory, the Edomites refused, displaying their longstanding hostility. Numbers 20:18-21 recounts this encounter: "But Edom answered, 'You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and confront you with the sword.' Again the Israelites replied, 'We will stay on the main road, and if we or our livestock drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no need to go through any field or vineyard.' But Edom insisted, 'You may not pass through.' And they came out to confront them with a large and powerful army. So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them." The hostility continued into the period of the monarchy. King Saul fought against the Edomites, and King David eventually subdued them, establishing garrisons in Edom, as recorded in 2 Samuel 8:13-14: "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. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went." Despite periods of subjugation, the Edomites maintained their enmity. During the reign of Jehoram, Edom revolted against Judah's control, as noted in 2 Kings 8:20-22: "In the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. Then at night he and his chariot commanders attacked the Edomites who had surrounded him, but his army fled home. So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah." The prophetic literature also addresses the hostility of Edom. The Book of Obadiah is a prophetic oracle against Edom, condemning them for their violence against their brother Jacob. Obadiah 1:10-12 states: "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. But 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' hostility toward Israel is emblematic of the broader spiritual and moral conflicts depicted in the Bible, serving as a reminder of the consequences of familial discord and the enduring nature of enmity when reconciliation is not sought. Nave's Topical Index Obadiah 1:10-14For your violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off for ever. Nave's Topical Index Library Chapter xxvi Chapter xlvii Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... Resources Who was Esau in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God love Jacob and hate Esau (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13)? | GotQuestions.org What was the story of Jacob and Esau? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Esau is Defrauded of his Father's Blessing by Jacob Esau with Jacob, Buries his Father Esau: His Marriage To, a Grief to Isaac and Rebekah Esau: His Name Used to Denote his Descendants and Their Country Esau: Hostility of Descendants of, Toward the Descendants of Jacob Esau: Meets Jacob on the Return of the Latter from Haran Esau: Mount of Edom, Called Mount of Esau Esau: Sells his Birthright for a Single Meal Related Terms |
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