The Edomites, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, are a significant group in biblical history, often depicted as adversaries of Israel. Their lineage is traced back to Esau, who is also known as Edom, meaning "red" (Genesis 25:30). The Edomites settled in the region of Seir, south of the Dead Sea, and their territory became known as Edom.

The character of the Edomites is frequently portrayed in the Scriptures as idolatrous, a trait that set them apart from the monotheistic worship of Yahweh practiced by the Israelites. This idolatry is highlighted in several biblical passages, illustrating their spiritual and moral decline.

In 2 Chronicles 25:14, we read about King Amaziah of Judah, who, after defeating the Edomites, brought back their gods and worshiped them: "When Amaziah returned from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought back the gods of the people of Seir, set them up as his own gods, bowed down to them, and burned sacrifices to them." This incident underscores the influence of Edomite idolatry, even on the kings of Judah, and serves as a testament to their entrenched pagan practices.

The prophet Obadiah delivers a message of judgment against Edom, condemning their pride and violence against their brother Jacob (Obadiah 1:10-14). While the primary focus of Obadiah's prophecy is on Edom's betrayal and hostility, the underlying implication is that their idolatrous practices contributed to their moral corruption and eventual downfall.

Ezekiel 25:12-14 further pronounces judgment on Edom for their actions against Israel, indicating that their idolatry was intertwined with their animosity towards God's chosen people. The Edomites' reliance on their own gods and rejection of the God of Israel is seen as a significant factor in their judgment.

The Edomites' idolatrous character is also evident in their alliances and interactions with other pagan nations. In Psalm 137:7, the Edomites are remembered for their role in the destruction of Jerusalem, shouting, "Tear it down, tear it down to its foundations!" Their alignment with Babylonian forces during the conquest of Jerusalem reflects their departure from any semblance of allegiance to the God of Israel.

Throughout the biblical narrative, the Edomites serve as a cautionary example of the consequences of idolatry and the rejection of God's covenant. Their persistent worship of foreign gods and their antagonism towards Israel ultimately led to their downfall and disappearance from the historical record as a distinct people group. The biblical portrayal of the Edomites as idolatrous highlights the spiritual dangers of turning away from the worship of the one true God.2 Chronicles 25:14,20
Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amaziah
... he showed a religious face or assumed the other character. ... against him, that business
with the Edomites was likely ... to have sought the help of an idolatrous king ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/amaziah.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... From his character and that of the Edomites, his descendants ... development of commerce
and government; there was both the true and false or idolatrous worship. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Joshua's Conquest.
... and southeast, the Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites, the last ... have been put upon
their character where the ... the world to have all idolatrous symbols destroyed ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter viii joshuas conquest.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... are very unique and striking in their character. ... all these joined with the idolatrous
worship established ... The Edomites were conspicuous for their hatred of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... or the Israelites] should be Esau's [or the Edomites'] lord, remarkably ... Divine laws
seeming to me the principal character of idolatrous or antichristian ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

From Kadesh to the Death of Moses.
... through the land of the Edomites, their kinsmen ... of friendship, to partake in the
idolatrous and impure ... a conception of the divine character and requirements as ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vii from kadesh to.htm

Isaiah
... when rulers would be just and character transformed ... The Jews never forgot or forgave
the Edomites for their ... is guilty of superstitious and idolatrous rites, lvii ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

The Prophet Amos.
... As, in accordance with the dramatic character of the prophetical discourse, the
person is ... and think of the altar at Bethel, or some other idolatrous altar in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet amos.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Amaziah, on his side, had routed the Edomites in the ... what we are told of idolatrous
practices in Judah under ... no less marked alteration in the character of His ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... be decidedly unfair to draw similar inferences touching the character of Nabopolassar
or ... the power of Jahveh, and His aversion for all idolatrous worship and ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Who were the Edomites? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Edom in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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

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