THEOSISJerome of Stridon
Thus declares the Sovereign Lord: Because Edom has sought to take vengeance against the children of Judah and engaged in sinful actions, I will extend My hand against Edom, annihilating both her people and her livestock, transforming her into a desolate wasteland from the south. Those who are in Dedan shall perish by the sword. I will execute My retribution upon Edom through My people Israel; My anger and wrath shall be manifested there, and they will recognize My indignation, says the Sovereign Lord.
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The Lord Adonai states that Edom has acted out against the house of Judah, recalling their past grievances and enacting vengeance for them. I will stretch out My hand against Edom, obliterating her inhabitants and her cattle, reducing her to a barren land. Those fleeing from Peman will also fall by the sword. My vengeance on Edom shall come through My people Israel, responding to Edom in accordance with My fury so that they will understand My righteous retribution, says the Lord Adonai.
In discussing the two nations, namely Moab and Seir, and then returning to the subject of Seir, one can see that the unified identity of Esau, Seir, Edom, Idumea, and Dumah is evident throughout scripture. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos all prophesied against Edom, and Abijah also delivered a full prophecy against this people. The mention of Seir, known for its hairiness, and Edom, marked by bloodshed, echoes the story of Esau and the red stew for which he traded his birthright. It’s essential to note that the Hebrew text consistently refers to Edom, with Idumea being the Greek rendering. Unlike Moab, Edom sought vengeance on the children of Judah, not out of strength but from the memory of former grievances.
Hence, it was the Lord Himself who raised His hand against Edom, destroying both people and livestock, rendering its cities desolate—specifically Theman, identified with the south—and Dedan, from where the slain shall fall. In response to their vengeance against Judah, I will carry out My wrath upon the Edomites by the hand of My people Israel, ensuring they suffer the consequences of their own actions. They shall respond to Edom in the manner of My wrath and fury, fulfilling My righteous anger so that they may learn this was a just recompense for Edom's unjust actions, says the Lord Adonai.
In an allegorical sense, Idumea represents the earthly and carnal nature that rebels against the spirit, striving to reclaim dominion over the soul and exacting revenge upon the children of Judah, who, having forsaken the flesh, pursue the spirit. The Lord Himself avenges the children of Judah by destroying within Edom all that displays reason or simple faith, turning it into a barren land.
Those who fell by the sword from Theman, denoting a place of deficiency, and from Dedan, connoting connection, experienced destruction at the hands of My people Israel, who enacted the wrath of God. This serves to illustrate that the vengeance was meant to benefit the house of Judah. This aligns with the Apostle's statement, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated" (Romans 9:13). Jacob is favored for overcoming the earthly and carnal matters and thus deserving of divine blessings. We first live according to the flesh and then to the spirit, struggling against vices to achieve virtues which eradicate those vices. From the outset, the human heart inclines towards evil (Gen. 8), and the immature errors are condemned in later years. Likewise, David acknowledges, "The sins of my youth and my ignorance shall not be remembered" (Ps. 24:7).
Ultimately, while Jacob received the primary blessing and Esau the secondary, the latter’s fate of serving his brother (Genesis 27:40) signifies the subjugation of the flesh to the spirit, where Idumea is transformed into Judah.