Edom

A country to the south and south east of Judah. Edom and Israel were historic enemies. Genesis 25.30 indicates that the inhabitants of Edom were the descendants of Esau, the implication being that this is why Israel and Edom were enemies – the enmity of their ancestors had been inherited along with the bloodline. Genesis 25.30 also indicates that the name Edom comes from the Hebrew word for red, specifically the red stew that Esau sold his birth right for. Although, as near neighbours, Israel and Edom were enemies, the exiles felt an especial bitterness towards the Edomites because they looted Jerusalem after the city had been conquered by the Babylonians.