Identity of Modern-Day Edomites in Biblical Prophecy
The identity of modern-day Edomites in biblical prophecy is not explicitly defined in the biblical text or in subsequent theological interpretation. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, and historically dwelled in Mount Seir [8]. Their lineage is traced through figures such as Alvah, Elah, Ebal, Shobal, Bilhan, and Eshban, who were Edomite patriarchs [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The relationship between Edom and Israel was often marked by conflict and "eternal hatred," stemming from the rivalry between their ancestors, Esau and Jacob [15, 16].
Biblical prophets frequently pronounced judgment against Edom. The book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is entirely "concerning Edom," foretelling its impending doom [9]. Jeremiah also delivered prophecies against Edom, noting their pride and self-confidence [8, 13]. These prophecies often highlighted Edom's vindictive nature and their delight in Israel's calamity, particularly during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem [13, 15, 16]. Ezekiel, for instance, condemned Edom for taking advantage of Israel's helplessness and seeking to seize their lands [15, 16].
While these prophecies detail the historical fate of Edom, they do not provide a clear identification of a modern-day equivalent. Prophecy, in a broader sense, involves a "miracle of knowledge" or a declaration of future events beyond human foresight [11]. However, the specific identity of the Edomites as a distinct people group largely faded from historical records after the biblical period. The focus of many prophetic texts concerning Edom was on their historical judgment and the eventual restoration of Israel [9, 12].
The concept of a "day of the Lord" was understood to be near for "all the Heathen," including the Edomites, indicating a time of divine punishment for their sins [14]. This suggests a historical fulfillment rather than a continuous, identifiable modern-day lineage. The biblical narrative frequently contrasts Israel with surrounding nations like the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, whom God promised to drive out [7, 10]. Like these groups, the Edomites were a distinct historical entity whose prophetic destiny was tied to their actions against Israel in antiquity.
Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H0425G — Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.41; <br>only referred to as <)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H5858B — Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.23; <br>only referred to as <)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H5933 — Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.40; <br>referred to as <stron)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H7732G — Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.20; <br>only referred to as <)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H1092G — Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.27; <br>only referred to as <)”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H0790 — Edomite living at the time of the Patriarchs (refs: #A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.36.26; <br>only referred to as <)”
- Exodus “Observe that which I command you this day. Behold, I drive out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. -- Exodus 34:11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Edomites, The — Descended from Esau -- Ge 36:9. Dwelt in Mount Seir -- Ge 32:3; De 2:4,5. Were called Children of Esau. -- De 2:4. Brethren of Israel. -- Nu 20:14. Governed by dukes -- Ge 36:15-30,40-43; Ex 15:15. Afterwards had kings -- Ge 36:31-29; Nu 20:14. Under a deputy or viceroy while subject to Judah -- 1Ki 22:47. Character of Wise. -- Jer 49:7. Proud and self-confident. -- Jer 49:16; Ob 1:3. Strong and cruel. -- Jer 49:19. Vindictive. -- Eze 25:12. Idolatrous. -- 2Ch 25:14,20. Superstitious. -- Jer 27:3,9. Carried on extensive commerce -- Eze 27:20. Country ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Obadiah, Book of — Consists of one chapter, "concerning Edom," its impending doom (1:1-16), and the restoration of Israel (1:17-21). This is the shortest book of the Old Testament. There are on record the account of four captures of Jerusalem, (1) by Shishak in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25); (2) by the Philistines and Arabians in the reign of Jehoram (2 Chr. 21:16); (3) by Joash, the king of Israel, in the reign of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:13); and (4) by the Babylonians, when Jerusalem was taken and destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 586). Obadiah (1:11-14) speaks”
- Exodus “I will send an angel before you; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: -- Exodus 33:2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prophecy — Or prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a "miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture." (See [509]PROPHET.) The great prediction which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah; and the great use of prophecy was to perpetuate faith in his coming, and to prepare the world for that event. But there are many subordinate an”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 42:9: former things--Former predictions of God, which were now fulfilled, are here adduced as proof that they ought to trust in Him alone as God; namely, the predictions as to Israel's restoration from Babylon. new--namely, predictions as to Messiah, who is to bring all nations to the worship of Jehovah (Isa 42:1, Isa 42:4, Isa 42:6). spring forth--The same image from plants just beginning to germinate occurs in Isa 43:19; Isa 58:8. Before there is the slightest indication to enable a sagacious observer to infer the coming event, God foretells it.”
- Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 49:7: The Edomites come next to receive their doom from God, by the mouth of Jeremiah: they also were old enemies to the Israel of God; but their day will come to be reckoned with, and it is now at hand, and is foretold, not only for warning to them, but for comfort to the Israel of God, whose afflictions were very much aggravated by their triumphs over them and joy in their calamity, Psa 137:7. Many of the expressions used in this prophecy concerning Edom are borrowed from the prophecy of Obadiah, which is concerning Edom; for, all the prophets being inspired by one ”
- Obadiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Obadiah 1:15: For the day of the Lord is near upon all the Heathen,.... That is, the time was at hand, fixed and determined by the Lord, and he had spoken of by his prophets, when he would punish all the Heathens round about for their sins; as the Egyptians, Philistines, Tyrians, Ammonites, Moabites, and others; and so the Edomites among the rest; for this is mentioned for their sakes, and to show that their punishment was inevitable, and that they could not expect to escape in the general ruin; see Jer 25:17. This destruction of Edom here prophesied of, and of all the Heathen, wa”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 35:5: 35:5-10 The eternal [or ancient] hatred of Edom for Israel went all the way back to their respective ancestors, Esau and Jacob (see Gen 25:19-34; 27:1-46; Num 20:14-21; 24:18; 2 Sam 8:13-14; 1 Kgs 11:14). Because of that enmity, the Edomites took advantage of the Babylonian destruction to butcher the Israelites when they were helpless. They wanted to wipe out the descendants of Jacob and seize the lands of Israel and Judah. The bloodbath they delighted to inflict on Israel would return on their own heads, as their people would be slaughtered by the sword. Their ever”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 35:5: 35:5-10 The eternal [or ancient] hatred of Edom for Israel went all the way back to their respective ancestors, Esau and Jacob (see Gen 25:19-34; 27:1-46; Num 20:14-21; 24:18; 2 Sam 8:13-14; 1 Kgs 11:14). Because of that enmity, the Edomites took advantage of the Babylonian destruction to butcher the Israelites when they were helpless. They wanted to wipe out the descendants of Jacob and seize the lands of Israel and Judah. The bloodbath they delighted to inflict on Israel would return on their own heads, as their people would be slaughtered by the sword. Their e”