The Edomites, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, are a significant people group in the biblical narrative. Their territory, known as Edom, was located to the southeast of Israel, extending from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. The land of Edom is characterized by its rugged terrain and mountainous regions, which provided natural fortifications and made it a well-defended territory.

Geography and Fortifications

Edom's geography played a crucial role in its defense and strategic importance. The region is marked by the Seir mountain range, which offered natural protection and made it difficult for invading armies to penetrate. The capital city of Edom, Petra (also known as Sela), was renowned for its rock-hewn architecture and strategic location, further enhancing its defensibility. The Bible references the strength of Edom's fortifications in Obadiah 1:3-4 : "The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, whose habitation is high, who say in your heart, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?' Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD."

Historical Context

The Edomites were a constant presence in the biblical narrative, often in conflict with the Israelites. Their relationship with Israel was complex, marked by both kinship and hostility. The Edomites refused passage to the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt (Numbers 20:14-21), which set the stage for ongoing enmity. Despite their fortified cities and strongholds, the Edomites were subject to various conquests and subjugations throughout history, including by King David, who established garrisons in Edom (2 Samuel 8:13-14).

Prophetic Significance

The prophets of the Old Testament frequently spoke against Edom, highlighting their pride and eventual downfall. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all prophesied judgment against Edom for their actions against Israel. Ezekiel 25:12-14 states, "This is what the Lord GOD says: 'Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah and incurred grievous guilt by taking revenge on them, therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it. I will lay it waste; from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword.'"

Cultural and Religious Aspects

The Edomites, like many ancient Near Eastern peoples, practiced a polytheistic religion. They worshiped a variety of deities, with Qos being one of their chief gods. The cultural and religious practices of the Edomites often brought them into conflict with the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites.

Legacy and Influence

The Edomites' legacy is seen in their enduring presence in biblical history and prophecy. Their interactions with Israel and their eventual decline serve as a testament to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. The Edomites' well-fortified cities and strategic location made them a formidable power in the ancient Near East, yet their pride and opposition to God's people ultimately led to their downfall, as foretold by the prophets.Psalm 60:9
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Nations of the South-East
... the Assyrian inscriptions, from which we learn that there was a city of Edom, as
well as a country of that ... Of the religion of the Edomites we know but little ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... The Philistines overran the country, and chased Saul even to ... the centre of worship;
and well was the ... the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites pay him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The Israelites
... The Edomites refused them a passage along the high ... Solomon was cultured and
well-educated, but his culture ... the Egyptian Pharaoh, invaded the country and sacked ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Amaziah, on his side, had routed the Edomites in the ... the shores of Lake Van, and
by a well-aimed thrust ... the woods and passes of an unknown country, which daily ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... No country could present greater difficulties to the movements ... would meet the eye
was well calculated to ... of the Sargonides, were so skilfully fortified that a ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... How Amaziah Made An Expedition Against The Edomites And Amalekites ... Nation Of The
Cutheans Into Their Country [In Their ... The Son Of Darius Was Well Disposed To ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... in that case would have been Edomites and Midianites ... They were a fine race of warlike,
well-armed Beda ... had successfully scoured the entire hill-country of Ephraim ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... The characteristics of the country remained unchanged. Fortified towns abounded
on all sides, as well as large walled villages of conical huts, like those ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

And ii.
... be that Bozrah was conquered by the Edomites and Moabites ... to the ground of this happy
change, as well as by ... and the devastation of their whole country had been ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Kharranu, and in all the small fortified towns and ... originally referred to the hilly
country on the ... of the classical geographers were well enough acquainted ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13)? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God judge Edom so harshly in the book of Obadiah? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Obadiah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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