Idumaeans
Idumaeans
Idumans, or Edomites (d’u-m’anz, or ‘dom-tes). The inhabitants of Iduma or Edom, descendants of Esau, Gen 36:1; Gen 36:8, and dwellers in the clefts of the rocks in the Sinaitic peninsula. Jer 49:16. Petra, called “Selah” or “Joktheel,” their stronghold in Amaziah’s day, 2Ki 14:7, and chief city, was literally cut in the rocks, and the southern part of the country abounds in cave-dwellings. They had kings long before the Hebrews. Gen 36:31. Though they were of the same primitive parentage as the Hebrews, they were by no means friendly to them. They perpetuated the enmity between Esau and Jacob. They opposed their passage through their country when Israel came from the wilderness. Num 20:20-21. But finally they allowed a passage through their eastern border, accepting also Israel’s offer to pay for provisions. Deu 2:28-29. The Edomites were conquered by Saul in the early part of his reign, 1Sa 14:47, and by David likewise, 2Sa 8:14; but at the instigation of Hadad they revolted against Solomon. 1Ki 11:14. Edom was for a long time a vassal of the kingdom of Judah, but again revolted, and after a straggle got its independence in the reign of Jehoram. 2Ki 8:20-22. The later kings attacked and were attacked by the Edomites. The prophets foretold the desolation of the descendants of Esau and their country. Jer 49:17-18; Oba 1:8. Thirty ruined towns within three days’ journey from the Red sea attest their former greatness and their present desolation.