אֱדֹם (H123) — Hebrew Lexicon

אֱדֹם

𐤀𐤃𐤌

Edom

H123 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אדם to be red, red, ruddy

Definition

Edom – a proper noun referring primarily to: (1) the personal name of the elder twin brother of Jacob (later Israel), traditionally identified as the progenitor of the Edomite people; (2) the geographic region south of the land of Israel, stretching from the southern Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba and encompassing areas east and southeast of the Arabah; (3) the people and nation associated with this territory. The term can denote the individual, the collective ethnic group, or their homeland, depending on context. Its use can also encompass the later polity and territory referenced as Idumaea, especially in Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Semantic Range

personal name (Esau/Edom), people or ethnic group (Edomites), territory or country (land of Edom), later Greco-Roman era region (Idumaea); poetic or symbolic references to traditional adversary or neighbor

Root / Etymology

From the root אדם (ʼ-d-m), which carries the basic meaning 'to be red' or 'ruddy.' The name 'Edom' is directly linked in Genesis 25:30 to the red stew for which Esau exchanged his birthright, and to his appearance (Genesis 25:25). The nominal form integrates the sense of 'redness,' likely referencing the physical characteristics of Esau and possibly the reddish landscape of the region. The root meaning ('to be red') is distinct from the naming of both Edom the individual and Edom the territory/nation.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Edom is first introduced as the epithet and later alternate name for Esau, son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob/Israel (Genesis 25:30). Across the Tanakh, 'Edom' primarily signifies the territory and the people descended from or associated with Esau. The region's southern semi-arid highlands, their red sandstone cliffs, or perhaps Esau’s description, likely inform the name’s persistent association with 'red.' In the monarchic period, Edom is depicted as a neighboring nation sometimes hostile to, sometimes subject to, Israel, especially under Saul, David, and Solomon. Edom maintained an independent kingdom until its gradual annexation and displacement by Arabian groups and, in later periods, by the Nabateans. During the post-exilic and Second Temple periods, the territory became known as Idumaea (a Greek rendering of Edom), and its inhabitants – the Idumeans – played significant roles during the Late Second Temple era, notably in the Hasmonean and Herodian dynasties. English translations sometimes render 'Edom' as 'Idumea' in later contexts, particularly in intertestamental literature and Hellenistic-era texts, though this term also encompasses geographical and ethnic shifts. The term 'Edomite' (אדומי) refers to an individual or collective member of the Edomite people. Later Jewish and Christian usage sometimes employ 'Edom' as a metonym for Rome or other adversaries, but such associations are not present in biblical usage. Contrast with names for other neighboring groups, e.g., Moabite (מוֹאָבִי), Ammonite (עַמּוֹנִי), Aramean (אֲרַמִּי), each contextually distinct. Translating the word simply as 'Edom,' 'Edomite,' or 'Idumaea' does not fully convey the historical and semantic shifts over time.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or (fully) אֱדוֹם ; from אָדֹם; red (see Genesis 25:25); Edom, the elder twin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied by him; Edom, Edomites, Idumea.

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Root Family

אדם (ʾ-d-m) — to be red, red, ruddy

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
H1157	בְּעַד	in the human being
H119	אָדַם	they became red
H120	אָדָם	human being
H121	אָדָם	Adam
H122	אָדֹם	reddish
H124	אֹדֶם	red gemstone
H125	אֲדַמְדָּם	ruddy-red
H126	אַדְמָה	Admah
H127	אֲדָמָה	arable ground
H128	אֲדָמָה	and Adamah
H129	אֲדָמִי	and Adami
H130	אֱדֹמִי	Edomite
H131	אֲדֻמִּים	Red Places
H132	אַדְמֹנִי	reddish-complexioned
H5654	עֹבֵד אֱדוֹם	Red-One

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`H123-02`	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One	81
`H123-01`	בֶּ/אֱד֔וֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in Edom	in Red-land	8
`H123-03`	לֶ/אֱד֗וֹם	leedom	`HR/Np`	to Edom	to Edom	4
`H123-04`	מֵ/אֱד֗וֹם	meedom	`HR/Np`	from Edom	from Red-land	3
`H123-06`	בֶ/אֱד֔וֹם	veedom	`HR/Np`	in/on-Edom	and Red-one (Edom)	2
`H123-05`	וּ/בֶ/אֱד֜וֹם	uveedom	`HC/R/Np`	and against Edom	and in Edom	2

Occurrences in Scripture

100 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`H123-02`	Genesis 25:30	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 32:4	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:1	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:8	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:9	אֱד֑וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:16	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:17	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:19	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:21	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:31	אֱד֑וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-01`	Genesis 36:32	בֶּ/אֱד֔וֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in Edom	in Red-land
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:43	אֱד֗וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Genesis 36:43	אֱדֽוֹם	edom-2	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Exodus 15:15	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 20:14	אֱד֑וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 20:18	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 20:20	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 20:21	אֱד֗וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 20:23	אֱד֖וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 21:4	אֱד֑וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 24:18	אֱד֜וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 33:37	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Numbers 34:3	אֱד֑וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Joshua 15:1	אֱד֧וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Joshua 15:21	אֱד֖וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Judges 5:4	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Judges 11:17	אֱד֨וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Judges 11:17	אֱד֔וֹם	edom-2	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Judges 11:18	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-05`	1 Samuel 14:47	וּ/בֶ/אֱד֜וֹם	uveedom	`HC/R/Np`	and against Edom	and in Edom
`H123-01`	2 Samuel 8:14	בֶּ/אֱד֜וֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in Edom	in Red-land
`H123-02`	2 Samuel 8:14	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Samuel 8:14	אֱד֖וֹם	edom-2	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	1 Kings 9:26	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	of-Edom	Red-One
`H123-01`	1 Kings 11:14	בֶּ/אֱדֽוֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in-Edom	in Red-land
`H123-02`	1 Kings 11:15	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-01`	1 Kings 11:15	בֶּ/אֱדֽוֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in Edom	in Red-land
`H123-01`	1 Kings 11:16	בֶּ/אֱדֽוֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in-Edom	in Red-land
`H123-01`	1 Kings 22:48	בֶּ/אֱד֖וֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in-Edom	in Red-land
`H123-02`	2 Kings 3:8	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 3:9	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 3:12	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 3:20	אֱד֑וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 3:26	אֱד֖וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 8:20	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 8:21	אֱד֜וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 8:22	אֱד֗וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 14:7	אֱד֤וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Kings 14:10	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Isaiah 11:14	אֱד֤וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Isaiah 34:5	אֱד֣וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Isaiah 34:6	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	of-Edom	Red-One
`H123-04`	Isaiah 63:1	מֵ/אֱד֗וֹם	meedom	`HR/Np`	from Edom	from Red-land
`H123-02`	Jeremiah 9:25	אֱד֞וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Jeremiah 25:21	אֱד֥וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Jeremiah 27:3	אֱד֜וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-05`	Jeremiah 40:11	וּ/בֶ/אֱד֜וֹם	uveedom	`HC/R/Np`	and in Edom	and in Edom
`H123-03`	Jeremiah 49:7	לֶ/אֱד֗וֹם	leedom	`HR/Np`	Concerning Edom	to Edom
`H123-02`	Jeremiah 49:17	אֱד֖וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Jeremiah 49:20	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Jeremiah 49:22	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Ezekiel 25:12	אֱד֛וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Ezekiel 25:13	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-01`	Ezekiel 25:14	בֶּ/אֱד֗וֹם	beedom	`HR/Np`	in/on-Edom	in Red-land
`H123-06`	Ezekiel 25:14	בֶ/אֱד֔וֹם	veedom	`HR/Np`	in/on-Edom	and Red-one (Edom)
`H123-02`	Ezekiel 32:29	אֱד֗וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Ezekiel 35:15	אֱד֣וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Ezekiel 36:5	אֱד֣וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-06`	Joel 4:19	וֶ/אֱד֕וֹם	veedom	`HC/Np`	and Edom	and Red-one (Edom)
`H123-03`	Amos 1:6	לֶ/אֱדֽוֹם	leedom	`HR/Np`	to Edom	to Edom
`H123-03`	Amos 1:9	לֶ/אֱד֔וֹם	leedom	`HR/Np`	to Edom	to Edom
`H123-02`	Amos 1:11	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Amos 2:1	אֱד֖וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Amos 9:12	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-03`	Obadiah 1:1	לֶ/אֱד֗וֹם	leedom	`HR/Np`	to Edom	to Edom
`H123-04`	Obadiah 1:8	מֵֽ/אֱד֔וֹם	meedom	`HR/Np`	from Edom	from Red-land
`H123-02`	Malachi 1:4	אֱד֜וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 60:2	אֱד֣וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 60:10	אֱ֭דוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 60:11	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 83:7	אֱ֭דוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 108:10	אֱ֭דוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 108:11	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Psalms 137:7	אֱד֗וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Lamentations 4:21	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Lamentations 4:22	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	Daniel 11:41	אֱד֣וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	1 Chronicles 1:43	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	1 Chronicles 1:51	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	1 Chronicles 1:54	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-04`	1 Chronicles 18:11	מֵֽ/אֱד֤וֹם	meedom	`HR/Np`	from Edom	from Red-land
`H123-02`	1 Chronicles 18:12	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-01`	1 Chronicles 18:13	בֶּֽ/אֱדוֹם֙	beedom	`HR/Np`	in Edom	in Red-land
`H123-02`	1 Chronicles 18:13	אֱד֖וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Chronicles 8:17	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	of Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Chronicles 21:8	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Chronicles 21:9	אֱדוֹם֙	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Chronicles 21:10	אֱד֜וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Chronicles 25:19	אֱד֔וֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One
`H123-02`	2 Chronicles 25:20	אֱדֽוֹם	edom	`HNp`	Edom	Red-One

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