Oracle against Edom: Edom’s order in the foreign oracles is a slight departure from the generally south-to-north orientation that we have encountered thus far. Edom is located south of Moab in the region to the southeast of the Dead Sea. It is a region of rugged mountains and wadis, making it difficult to attack.

The Bible attributes Edomite origins to Esau, Jacob’s brother, whose other name is Edom or “Red” (see Gen. 36). Notice that by the time Jacob returned from his sojourn in Paddam-Aram, Esau, having already amassed a significant fortune, was dwelling in the region of Seir (a common synonym for Edom, see Gen. 32).

It is true that Edom, like Moab and Ammon, refused Israel passage during the wilderness wanderings (Num. 20:14–21); however, it appears that Israel had some options at that t…