The New Student's Reference Work/Edom

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E'dom or Idumea, a name given to the whole country extending from the Dead Sea southward to the Gulf of Akabah. It was about 100 miles long from north to south. The mountains are steep, bare masses of chalk and porphyry. The Edomites were recognized by the Israelites as a closely connected race, being the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. Their religion was a belief in many gods. They were conquered by Saul and subdued by David, and were subject to Judah until the reign of Joram. They regained independence under Ahaz, and after the fall of Judah became masters of southern Palestine and Hebron, but were completely subdued about 126 B. C. From that time the western part (Idumea) was held by Jewish governors, one of whom, Antipater, became procurator of all Judæa in 47 B. C. His son, Herod the Great, founded the last Jewish dynasty. After the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A. D.) the country was merged in Arabia Petræa, and the name of Idumea disappears from history. See The Desert of the Exodus by Palmer.