The Edomites were an ancient people who lived in Edom, an area located south of the Dead Sea and near the modern Jordan-Israel border. The Edomites are frequently mentioned in the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, and in other historical texts.
The question of who the Edomites are today is a complex one because the Edomites as a distinct people ceased to exist in the centuries before the Common Era. There are several theories regarding who could be considered their descendants in the modern world:
- Jewish Identity: According to some historical records and Jewish traditions, the Edomites were conquered and forced to convert to Judaism by John Hyrcanus, a high priest in the second century BCE. Some experts believe that many Edomites assimilated into the Jewish populations and their descendants became part of the Jewish people [1].
- Nabateans Identity: Some experts suggest that the Nabateans, an Arab people who built the city of Petra, may have intermixed with the Edomites or possibly absorbed the remaining Edomite population [2].
- Theory of Arab Identity: In the 7th century CE, the Arabs conquered much of the Middle East, which included the territory once occupied by the Edomites. As a result, the Arab population may include some Edomite descendants [3].
Regardless of the truth, it's practically impossible to trace the direct lineage back to ancient people in the modern world because of centuries of immigration, emigration, conquest, and intermarriage [4].
Learn more:
- Edom, Edomites - Jewish Virtual Library
- Edomite people | Britannica
- The Edomites - Ancient History Encyclopedia
- The Geography of Strabo