אֱדוֹם

From the study of Isaiah 34:5

Range of meaning

The nation and territory south-east of the Dead Sea, in the highlands east of the Arabah, with Bozrah as its chief city (v. 6). In Israel's tradition it descended from Esau, Jacob's brother (Gen 25:30; 36:1). The name sounds like ʾādōm, 'red'.

Against the English

KJV's 'Idumea' is the Greek and Latin form of the name, taken from the Septuagint and Vulgate. It hides from English readers that this is Edom, Esau's people.

How it drifted

KJV followed the Greek and Latin spelling. Later, from late antiquity on, Jewish interpretation used 'Edom' as a code name for Rome, and some popular prophecy teaching maps it onto modern states. Both are later readings.

Used elsewhere in the period

Obadiah 10–14, Ps 137:7, Lam 4:21–22 and Ezek 25:12–14; 35 accuse Edom of rejoicing at, and taking part in, Jerusalem's destruction in 587 BC. Isa 63:1–6 again has the divine warrior coming from Edom and Bozrah in blood-red garments. Mal 1:2–4 speaks of Edom's land already laid waste.

From the study of Isaiah 63:1

Range of meaning

Edom: the nation of Esau's descendants in the highlands south-east of the Dead Sea. Bozrah: its chief fortress-city. Both names carry sound-echoes: ʾĕdôm / ʾādōm "red" (Genesis 25:30 explains Edom's name from Esau's "red stuff"), and botsrâ / bātsîr "grape harvest", bōtsēr "grape-gatherer".

Against the English

English keeps the place names but cannot keep the puns. A Hebrew listener heard "Who is this coming from Red-land, from Vintage-town?" before the winepress image is ever spelled out.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isaiah 34:5–6 already pictures YHWH's sword drinking blood with "a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom". Jeremiah 49:9 uses "grape-gatherers (bōtsᵊrîm)" against Edom, and 49:13, 22 name Bozrah. Obadiah, Psalm 137:7, Lamentations 4:21–22 and Ezekiel 35 condemn Edom for siding against Jerusalem when Babylon destroyed it in 587/586 BC.

From the study of Amos 9:12

Range of meaning

The name of Esau (Gen 25:30, linked to the “red” stew) and of the people and kingdom descended from him in the highlands south-east of the Dead Sea. Edom stands as Israel's brother-enemy throughout the Old Testament.

Against the English

English readers often treat “Edom” as an obscure place name. To Amos's hearers it named a specific, bitter rival and a lost piece of David's empire.

Used elsewhere in the period

David subdued Edom and placed garrisons there (2 Sam 8:13–14). Edom revolted under Joram of Judah, c. 845 BC (2 Kgs 8:20–22). Amaziah and Uzziah fought to reclaim parts of it (2 Kgs 14:7, 22) in Amos's own lifetime. Amos 1:11–12 condemns Edom for pursuing “his brother with the sword.” Later, Edom becomes a symbol for all hostile nations (Isa 34; 63:1–6; Obadiah). In rabbinic literature it becomes a code name for Rome.