In 1400 BC when Israelites were on the wilderness after their four centuries old slavery in Egypt, Esau has already developed into a nation and continuously attacking the Israelites, his own brother’s ancestors (2 Sam 8, 2 Chr 20, 2 Kings 8). In the course of time, the name of Esau’s descendants was changed into Idumeans, which as a name similar to Adam is a type of God’s judgment upon all humanity. For example, the Herod who persecuted Jesus was half Idumean and half Jewish. Obadiah prophesied a day of the LORD to come for Edom to be destroyed and all the nations to be judged (2-14, 18b).
