History records that in 582 B.C., just four years after Jerusalem was burned, Edom was conquered by the Babylonians, leaving only a remnant of Edomites confined to a region in southern Judea, where they continued to exist for four centuries. 3 What happens next is one of the most fascinating historical facts concerning the true identity of Edom and the role of the Edomite kings during the time Jesus Christ was on the earth.
In 126 B.C. the Edomites were conquered by the Maccabean ruler, John Hyrcanus and were “absorbed into the Jewish state” where they “were forced to observe Jewish rites and laws” and “the Edomites became a section of the Jewish people.” 4 From this time onward Edom became known as Idumea, from which arose the Herodian dynasty. The historian Flavius Josephus tells us, “Hyrcanus took also Dora and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued all the Idumeans…at which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.” 5 By 63 B.C. the Romans conquered Palestine and the Herods of Idumea were placed in power over Judah. 6
Under the control of Rome, the Herods of Edom left a legacy of violence and murder. In 37 B.C.E. the Romans appointed Herod king of Judea. It was the Idumean Edomite king, Herod the Great, who slaughtered all of the male infants two years and under in an evil plot to kill the child Jesus who was the prophesied Messiah and King of the Jews. (Matthew 2:1-18) In Mark 3:1-6 we read that after Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, “Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” Both Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29 tell us that it was Herod the tetrarch, who beheaded John the Baptist after he had John put in prison. (See Luke 3:19-20) Acts 12:1-3 records that it was King Herod (Agrippa I, grandson of the Edomite King Herod the Great) who persecuted the church, killed James the brother of John with the sword, and had Peter arrested. 7
Edom: The “Hazir” That Will Be Destroyed
“The name “Edom” is used by the Talmudists for the Roman empire, and they applied to Rome every passage of the Bible referring to Edom or to Esau…Rome, under the name of “Edom,” is compared to a boar, and the symbolic name “Seir” was used by the poets of the Middle Ages not only for Rome…but also for Christianity…In place of “Edom,” the word “Hazir” (swine) was occasionally used, perhaps as a mere term of reproach.” 8
History records that in 582 B.C., just four years after Jerusalem was burned, Edom was conquered by the Babylonians, leaving only a remnant of Edomites confined to a region in southern Judea, where they continued to exist for four centuries. 3 What happens next is one of the most fascinating historical facts concerning the true identity of Edom and the role of the Edomite kings during the time Jesus Christ was on the earth.
In 126 B.C. the Edomites were conquered by the Maccabean ruler, John Hyrcanus and were “absorbed into the Jewish state” where they “were forced to observe Jewish rites and laws” and “the Edomites became a section of the Jewish people.” 4 From this time onward Edom became known as Idumea, from which arose the Herodian dynasty. The historian Flavius Josephus tells us, “Hyrcanus took also Dora and Marissa, cities of Idumea, and subdued all the Idumeans…at which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.” 5 By 63 B.C. the Romans conquered Palestine and the Herods of Idumea were placed in power over Judah. 6
Under the control of Rome, the Herods of Edom left a legacy of violence and murder. In 37 B.C.E. the Romans appointed Herod king of Judea. It was the Idumean Edomite king, Herod the Great, who slaughtered all of the male infants two years and under in an evil plot to kill the child Jesus who was the prophesied Messiah and King of the Jews. (Matthew 2:1-18) In Mark 3:1-6 we read that after Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, “Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.” Both Matthew 14:1-12 and Mark 6:14-29 tell us that it was Herod the tetrarch, who beheaded John the Baptist after he had John put in prison. (See Luke 3:19-20) Acts 12:1-3 records that it was King Herod (Agrippa I, grandson of the Edomite King Herod the Great) who persecuted the church, killed James the brother of John with the sword, and had Peter arrested. 7
Edom: The “Hazir” That Will Be Destroyed
“The name “Edom” is used by the Talmudists for the Roman empire, and they applied to Rome every passage of the Bible referring to Edom or to Esau…Rome, under the name of “Edom,” is compared to a boar, and the symbolic name “Seir” was used by the poets of the Middle Ages not only for Rome…but also for Christianity…In place of “Edom,” the word “Hazir” (swine) was occasionally used, perhaps as a mere term of reproach.” 8
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