Idumaeans in Biblical History

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Who are the Idumaeans?
IDUMAE'ANS
, OR E'DOMITES. The inhabitants of Idumaea or Edom, commonly called Edomites, were descendants of Esau (Gen 36:1, Ex 36:8), and dwellers in the clefts of the rocks in the Sinaitic peninsula. Jer 49:16. Petra, their stronghold in Amaziah's day, 2 Kgs 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. Deut 2:28-29. The Edomites were conquered by Saul in the eaily part of his reign, 1 Sam 14:47, and by David likewise, 2 Sam 8:14; but at the instigation of Hadad they revolted against Solomon. 1 Kgs 11:14. Edom was for a long time a vassal of the kingdom of Judah, but again revolted, and after a struggle got its independence in the reign of Jehoram. 2 Kgs 8:20-22. The later kings attacked and were attacked by the Edomites. In the days of the Maccabees they were again active foes to the Jews, but Judas Maccabaeus defeated them and John Hyrcanus completely subjected them, compelling them to adopt the Mosaic Law. But out of this humbled but turbulent people came Antipater, who obtained the government of Judaea, b.c. 47; and his son was Herod the Great. The prophets foretold the desolation of the descendants of Esau and their country. Jer 49:17-18; Ob 8. Thirty ruined towns within three days' journey from the Red Sea attest their former greatness and their present desolation.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'idumaeans' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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