Appendix H
The History of Edom
Brief History and Final Destiny of Edom
By Lambert Dolphin

A longer version of this study, including full quotations
from the Scriptures may be read on the Internet at
http://ldolphin.org/edom.html

Immediate Family History
The immediate family history of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca,
begins in Genesis Chapter 25 and continues through the end of Genesis.

The Descendants of Jacob’s Brother Esau (Edom):
Genesis 36, which records the family tree of Esau, lists many names still associated with
the land of Edom in Southern Jordan, and also mentions individuals whose unfavorable
interactions with the people of Israel are recorded for us elsewhere as the Old Testament unfolds.
The chapter starts with ―This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom)‖ (Genesis 36:1).
A further historical note is found in I Chronicles:
43 These were the kings who reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned:
Bela son of Beor, whose city was named Dinhabah.
44 When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah succeeded him as king.
45 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites succeeded him as king.
46 When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab,
succeeded him as king. His city was named Avith.
47 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah succeeded him as king.
48 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the river succeeded him as king.
49 When Shaul died, Baal-Hanan son of Acbor succeeded him as king.
50 When Baal-Hanan died, Hadad succeeded him as king. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s
name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-Zahab. 51 Hadad also died.
The chiefs of Edom were:
Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, 52 Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, 53 Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, 54 Magdiel and
Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom. – 1 Chronicles 1:43-54

Edom Denies Israel Passage Through Their Land During the Exodus
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying:
“This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come upon
us. 15 Our forefathers went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians
mistreated us and our fathers, 16 but when we cried out to the LORD, he heard our cry and sent an
angel and brought us out of Egypt.
“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. 17 Please let us pass
through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well.
We will travel along the king’s highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have
passed through your territory.”

18 But Edom answered:
“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the
sword.”
19 The Israelites replied:
“We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will
pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”
20 Again they answered:
“You may not pass through.”
Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to
let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them. – Numbers 20:14-21
God’s Coming Slaughter of Nations; Edom to be a Perpetual Wasteland – Isaiah 34:1-17
Jeremiah Prophesies: Edom to Become a Wasteland.” – Jeremiah 49:7-22
Some Reasons for Divine Judgment on Edom According to Ezekiel
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Because Edom took revenge on the house of Judah and
became very guilty by doing so, 13 therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stretch
out my hand against Edom and kill its men and their animals. I will lay it waste, and from Teman
to Dedan they will fall by the sword. 14 I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people
Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know
my vengeance, declares the Sovereign LORD.” – Ezekiel 24:12-14 (See also Ezekiel 35:1-15.)

Obadiah’s Prophecy against Edom
The entire book of Obadiah is a scathing prophecy against Edom. It begins with these
verses:
The vision of Obadiah.
This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom—
We have heard a message from the LORD :
An envoy was sent to the nations to say,
“Rise, and let us go against her for battle”-
2
“See, I will make you small among the nations;
you will be utterly despised.
3 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?’
4
Though you soar like the eagle
and make your nest among the stars,
from there I will bring you down,”
declares the LORD. – Obadiah 1:1-4

Malachi on God’s Perpetual Enmity against Edom
An oracle: The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.
2
“I have loved you,” says the LORD.
“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” the LORD says. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3
but Esau I have
hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert
jackals.”
4 Edom may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.”
But this is what the LORD Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be
called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the LORD.” – Malachi 1:1-4