This is another name for Esau, the first-born son of the patriarch Isaac and Rebekah, and twin brother of Jacob. He was husband to several wives, and father of multiple children. He is considered the ancestor of the Edomites.
About Edom (Esau)
The land of Edom was a region located south and southeast of the Dead Sea. The word "Edom" means "red" and refers to both the land and to Esau, who sold his birthright for red stew (Genesis 25:30; 36:1, 8, 19). People also called this land Seir (Genesis 32:3; 36:30; Numbers 24:18).
The northern border of Edom was the Wadi Zered ("the Brook of the Willows"), a stream valley (Isaiah 15:7). Long ago, movements in the earth's surface pushed this land upward, forming a high plateau with dark-red sandstone cliffs on its western side. These cliffs drop sharply into a valley called the Arabah, which connects to the Dead Sea and Jordan Valley.
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Isaac, Rebekah
- Partners 4
- Oholibamah, Judith, Adah, Mahalath
- Sibling
- Israel
- Children 5
- Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jalam, Korah
- Nieces & Nephews 13
- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan (Patriarch), Naphtali, Gad (Patriarch), Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, Joseph, Benjamin
- Uncles 8
- Ishmael, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah, Laban
- Cousins 22
- Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad (Genesis 25:15), Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah, Mahalath, Sheba (Genesis 25:3), Dedan (Genesis 25:3), Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, Eldaah, Rachel, Leah
Key References
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.
The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau.
After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.
When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished.
He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.)
This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).
So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.
All Scripture References (7)
Genesis (5)
He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.)
This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).
So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.
All these are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and they were their chiefs.
Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, the descendants of Seir in the land of Edom.
1 Chronicles (2)
Then Hadad died. Now the chiefs of Edom were Timna, Alvah, Jetheth,
Magdiel, and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom.