Lexical Summary
edom: Edom
Original Word:אֱדֹם
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Edom
Pronunciation:eh-DOME
Phonetic Spelling:(ed-ome')
KJV: Edom, Edomites, Idumea
NASB:stuff
Word Origin:[fromH122 (אָדוֹם - red)]
1. red (see Gen. 25
2. Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob
3. hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Edom, Edomites, Idumea
Or (fully) oedowm {ed-ome'}; from'adom; red (see Gen. 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him -- Edom, Edomites, Idumea.
see HEBREW'adom
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
adomDefinitionthe name of a condiment
NASB Translationstuff (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Arabic
see Anderson in Di; compare Assyrian
adumatu ? Dl
W)
Genesis 25:30 (twice in verse) (J; so read for MT; see Di).
(Ezekiel 25:14) (name of a god ? see StaG. 1, 121 RSSem 43; seen.pr. ; but BaeRel 10 thinks dialect variant reading of , = ) = Esau, elderson of IsaacGenesis 25:30 (J) (where etymology =red, compareGenesis 25:25 (E ?) & belowGenesis 36:1,8,19 (P). collective ( butMalachi 1:4)Edomites, Idumeans as descendants of EsauGenesis 36:9,43 (P); also1 Samuel 14:47 31t. +2 Samuel 8:13 (for ; see1 Chronicles 18:12;Psalm 60:2, We Dr); perhaps alsoPsalm 60:12 (1 Chronicles 18:11; but see We Dr); also 2 Chronicles 20:2 (see Berthau); = king of EdomNumbers 20:18,20,21; in poetryPsalm 137:7Lamentations 4:21,22land of Edom, Idumaea (f.Ezekiel 32:29;Ezekiel 35:15; andEzekiel 36:5) south & southeast of PalestineGenesis 36:32,43 32t. (includingGenesis 32:4;Genesis 36:16,17,21,31;Numbers 20:23;Numbers 21:4;Numbers 33:37 +); — uncertain weather or areExodus 15:15;Numbers 20:14;Numbers 24:18 9t. (chiefly in etc.) See now FBuhlGeschichte. d. Edomiter (1893).
Topical Lexicon
OverviewEdom is the nation, land, and people descended from Esau, the elder twin of Jacob. Occupying the rugged territory southeast of the Dead Sea, Edom appears from Genesis through Malachi as Israel’s near relative, frequent adversary, and a foil in prophetic teaching. Approximately one hundred occurrences trace a account of kinship, conflict, judgment, and ultimate inclusion within God’s redemptive plan.
Name Origin and Symbolism
The name is first attached to Esau when he requests the “red stew” from Jacob: “That is why he was called Edom” (Genesis 25:30). “Red” evokes Esau’s appearance at birth (Genesis 25:25) and the iron-rich sandstone cliffs of Edomite territory. In Scripture the color also suggests bloodshed (Isaiah 63:1) and earthiness, themes that intertwine with Edom’s history of violent resistance and stubborn attachment to temporal power.
Geographic Setting
Edom’s chief range, Mount Seir, stretches from the Zered River valley to the Gulf of Aqaba (Deuteronomy 2:1–8). Key sites include Bozrah (Isaiah 34:6), Teman (Jeremiah 49:7), Sela or Petra (2 Kings 14:7), and Elath on the Red Sea (2 Kings 16:6). The King’s Highway passed through Edom, affording both commercial advantage and strategic leverage, factors that shaped its interactions with Israel.
Edom in the Patriarchal Period
Genesis records early contacts:
• Isaac blesses Esau with limited prosperity, saying he will “live by the sword” and serve Jacob “when you grow restless” (Genesis 27:40).
• Chiefs descended from Esau are listed inGenesis 36, demonstrating rapid tribal organization.
These passages frame Edom as brother to Israel yet outside the covenant line, foreshadowing persistent rivalry.
Edom during the Exodus and Conquest
Moses respectfully requests passage: “Please let us travel through your land” (Numbers 20:17). Edom refuses and comes out with “a large and powerful army” (Numbers 20:20). Israel detours, but the memory lingers (Deuteronomy 23:7–8), requiring later generations to balance kinship and caution: “Do not despise an Edomite, for he is your brother” (Deuteronomy 23:7).
Edom under the Monarchies
• David subdues Edom, placing garrisons in strategic cities (2 Samuel 8:13–14).
• Solomon exploits Ezion-Geber’s port (1 Kings 9:26).
• During Jehoram’s reign Edom revolts, choosing a king for itself (2 Kings 8:20–22).
• Amaziah conquers and renames Sela “Joktheel,” but Isaiah later notes Edom’s continuing pride (2 Kings 14:7;Isaiah 16:6; 34:5–6).
• Edom allies with Babylon against Judah (Psalm 137:7;Ezekiel 35:5), provoking prophetic denunciation.
Prophetic Oracles against Edom
Major pronouncements include:
•Isaiah 34:5–10 – A vision of cosmic judgment centered in Bozrah: “The sword of the LORD is drenched in blood.”
•Jeremiah 49:7–22 – Teman’s reputed wisdom cannot avert disaster.
•Ezekiel 35 – Mount Seir is made “a desolation and a waste” for its perpetual hatred.
• Obadiah – The shortest Old Testament book condemns Edom’s gloating over Jerusalem’s fall: “As you have done, it will be done to you” (Obadiah 15).
These oracles emphasize divine justice, portraying Edom as a representative of human arrogance opposing God’s covenant purposes.
Edom in Post-Exilic and Intertestamental History
Malachi 1:2–4 cites Edom’s attempts at rebuilding: “They may build, but I will demolish.” By the fourth century B.C. Edomites (Idumeans) migrate west of the Arabah. John Hyrcanus forcibly converts them to Judaism (second century B.C.), and the Herodian dynasty arises from this line, illustrating the ongoing intertwining of Edom and Israel’s destinies.
Messianic and Eschatological Implications
Numbers 24:17 foresees a “Scepter” from Israel crushing Edom.Amos 9:11–12 declares that the restored “tent of David” will “possess the remnant of Edom,” a promise applied to the inclusion of the Gentiles inActs 15:16–17 (quoting the Septuagint rendering “mankind” for Edom).Isaiah 63:1–6 depicts the Messiah coming from Edom, garments stained with the enemies’ blood, combining judgment with the victory of redemption.
Theological Themes
1. Sovereign Election and Human Responsibility –Romans 9:10–13 cites Malachi to contrast Jacob and Esau, underscoring grace while leaving Edom accountable for sin.
2. Brotherhood Violated –Psalm 83:5-6 lists Edom among conspirators, highlighting the tragedy of kin turned foe.
3. Divine Justice – Prophecies stress that temporal power cannot prevent God’s verdict; Edom’s downfall warns nations opposing the LORD.
4. Hope for the Nations – The “remnant of Edom” motif anticipates Gentile salvation through Christ, balancing judgment with mercy.
Ministry Application
• Intercession for Modern Enemies – Obadiah urges believers to reject gloating and seek repentance for opponents, remembering shared humanity.
• Warning against Pride – Teman’s vaunted wisdom failed; intellectual or military strength cannot shield from sin’s consequences.
• Assurance of God’s Faithfulness – Despite Edom’s resistance, covenant promises advanced unhindered. The church can trust God’s redemptive plan amid opposition.
• Gospel to All Peoples – The prophetic absorption of Edom into the Messianic kingdom challenges the church to proclaim reconciliation even to historic adversaries.
Key References
Genesis 25:25, 30; 27:40; 32:3; 36 (passim)
Numbers 20:14–21; 24:17–19
Deuteronomy 2:1–8; 23:7–8
2 Samuel 8:13–14
1 Kings 9:26; 11:14–22
2 Kings 8:20–22; 14:7; 16:6
Psalm 60:8–12; 83:5–6; 137:7
Isaiah 34:5–10; 63:1–6
Jeremiah 49:7–22
Ezekiel 25:12–14; 35:1–15
Obadiah 1–21
Amos 9:11–12
Malachi 1:2–4
Forms and Transliterations
אֱ֭דוֹם אֱד֑וֹם אֱד֔וֹם אֱד֖וֹם אֱד֗וֹם אֱד֛וֹם אֱד֜וֹם אֱד֞וֹם אֱד֣וֹם אֱד֤וֹם אֱד֥וֹם אֱד֧וֹם אֱד֨וֹם ׀ אֱדֽוֹם׃ אֱדוֹם֙ אדום אדום׃ בֶּֽאֱדוֹם֙ בֶּאֱד֔וֹם בֶּאֱד֖וֹם בֶּאֱד֗וֹם בֶּאֱד֜וֹם בֶּאֱדֽוֹם׃ בֶאֱד֔וֹם באדום באדום׃ וֶאֱד֕וֹם וּבֶאֱד֜וֹם ואדום ובאדום לֶאֱד֔וֹם לֶאֱד֗וֹם לֶאֱדֽוֹם׃ לאדום לאדום׃ מֵֽאֱד֔וֹם מֵֽאֱד֤וֹם מֵאֱד֗וֹם מאדום ’ĕ·ḏō·wm ’ĕḏōwm be’ĕḏōwm ḇe’ĕḏōwm be·’ĕ·ḏō·wm ḇe·’ĕ·ḏō·wm beeDom eDom le’ĕḏōwm le·’ĕ·ḏō·wm leeDom mê’ĕḏōwm mê·’ĕ·ḏō·wm meeDom ū·ḇe·’ĕ·ḏō·wm ūḇe’ĕḏōwm uveeDom veeDom we’ĕḏōwm we·’ĕ·ḏō·wm
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