Southern Jordan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba (Petra and Busayra region)

Edom

Meaning
Edom means "red," a nickname given to Esau because of the red stew for which he sold his birthright, and also linked to the reddish color of the region's rocks. It was the land of Esau's descendants, twin brother of Jacob, and it became an ancient kingdom that was almost always in conflict with Israel and Judah.
About the place

Edom was the mountainous region south of the Dead Sea, occupied by the descendants of Esau, twin brother of Jacob. Because of this common origin, Edomites and Israelites are called brother peoples in the Bible.

Despite this kinship, the relationship between the two nations was marked by near constant rivalry. Edom refused to let Israel pass through the desert, was conquered by King David, and repeatedly rebelled against Judah.

The region was famous for its natural fortresses, cities carved into rock, and gorges that were almost impossible to access. This fed a strong sense of security and pride in the Edomite people.

Several prophets denounced that pride. Obadiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos declared that Edom’s arrogance and violence against God’s people would be judged completely.

Edom’s history reminds us that kinship with God’s people does not replace personal faith, and that no human fortress escapes the judgment of the Lord.

Key verses

You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.

Numbers 20:18

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.

Obadiah 1:3-4

Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.

Malachi 1:2-3

What happened here

Esau settles in Edom

Esau, also called Edom, left Canaan with his family and flocks and settled in the mountains of Seir. The Edomite people originated there.

Genesis 36:6-8

Edom refuses Israel passage

When Moses requested peaceful passage through Edom’s territory toward Canaan, the king of Edom refused and threatened to attack Israel with the sword.

Numbers 20:14-21

David conquers Edom

David defeated the Edomites in battle and established garrisons throughout the territory, subjecting the people of Edom to Israel.

2 Samuel 8:13-14

Amaziah defeats Edom and captures Sela

King Amaziah of Judah defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured the fortified city of Sela.

2 Kings 14:7

Obadiah announces Edom’s judgment

The prophet Obadiah denounced Edom’s pride and its violence against Judah at the fall of Jerusalem, announcing the nation’s complete downfall.

Obadiah 1:1-4,10-15
Timeline
around 1900 BC

Esau settles in the mountains of Seir and gives rise to the Edomite people

around 1400 BC

Edom blocks Israel’s passage during the journey through the desert

around 1000 BC

David conquers Edom and establishes garrisons in the territory

around 930 BC

Hadad the Edomite becomes an adversary of King Solomon

around 800 BC

Amaziah defeats Edom in the Valley of Salt and captures Sela

586 BC

Edom turns against Judah at the fall of Jerusalem

6th century BC

Obadiah announces Edom’s final judgment

People linked to this place
E

Esau

Gave rise to the Edomite people

H

Hadad

Was an Edomite who became Solomon’s adversary

D

David

Conquered Edom and imposed his rule

A

Amaziah

Defeated Edom and captured Sela

O

Obadiah

Prophesied Edom’s judgment

Books where it appears

Genesis

Esau’s genealogy and the origin of the Edomite people

Numbers

Edom refuses Israel passage in the desert

2 Samuel

King David’s conquest of Edom

2 Kings

Amaziah’s victory over Edom at Sela

Obadiah

An entire prophetic book devoted to Edom’s judgment

The place today
The place today

Today the territory of ancient Edom lies in southern Jordan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba, with a narrow strip extending into the Negev in Israel.

The Edomite capital, Bozrah, is identified with modern Busayra in Jordan. The city of Sela, conquered by Amaziah, is associated by many with famous Petra, although archaeologists debate this identification.

Jordan today is a predominantly Muslim country with a very small Christian presence. Pray for the Jordanian people to know the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pray for this nation today: Jordânia

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