Edom facts for kids
Edom is a name found in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to Esau, who was the brother of Jacob. The name also describes the nation that came from Esau.
This nation had different names in other languages. In Assyrian, it was called Udumi. In Syriac, it was ܐܕܘܡ. The Greeks called it Ἰδουμαία (Idoumaía). In Latin, it was known as Idumæa or Idumea.
The Edomite people were a tribal group who spoke a Semitic language. They lived in the Negev Desert and the Arabah valley. This valley is located south of the Dead Sea and next to the Jordan River. The area is known for its red sandstone. This red rock might be why the nation was called "Edom," as "Edom" can mean "red."
Historians know that the nation of Edom existed as far back as the 8th or 9th century BC. The Bible suggests it existed even earlier. Some new archaeological discoveries might show that an Edomite nation was around as early as the 11th century BC. However, experts are still discussing this. Others believe the 8th or 9th century BC dates are more accurate. The Edomite nation stopped being a settled state after the Jewish-Roman Wars.
Images for kids
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Edomite goddess figure in the Israel Museum
See also
In Spanish: Edom para niños
