Edom is a name primarily known from the Hebrew Bible, where it is an alternate name for Esau, the elder twin of Jacob. The name derives from the Hebrew word אָדֹם (ʾaḏom), meaning "red", and originates from an episode in which Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red lentil stew (Genesis 25:30). This biblical narrative links the color red to Esau’s complexion at birth and the red broth that led to his nickname. Historical Context The name Edom also refers to an ancient kingdom in the region that is now southern Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. According to the Bible, Esau became the progenitor of the Edomite nation (Genesis 36), which is attested in extra-biblical sources such as Egyptian inscriptions dating to the 13th and 12th centuries BC. Merneptah's Stele and Seti I's records mention the Edomites, suggesting a well-established presence long before the Iron Age. The kingdom of Edom thrived between the 13th and 8th centuries BC, controlling key trade routes and mining copper at sites like Timna. It later declined and was conquered by the Babylonians in the 6th century BC. Etymology and Linguistic Background The Hebrew name Ḥăḏōm (אֱדוֹם) is directly related to the word for red, linking it to the color of Esau's skin and the stew. In translations of the Old Testament, the term is often rendered as "Edom" for the person and "Idumea" for the region. The Edomites spoke a language closely related to Hebrew, and their name appears in Neo-Assyrian as Udūmu. Archaeological evidence shows the collapse of Edomite society by the end of the 6th century BC, followed by population displacement and later absorption into the kingdom of Judah under Hasmonean expansion. Notable Bearers Apart from the biblical figure, Edom appears as a rare given name, especially in English and Hebrew Bible translations, where it is almost exclusively used for Esau. Notably, the biblical character Chief Ahab of Edom (mentioned in Genesis 36) is one of the few later bearers. In modern times, the name is occasionally used among Christians and Jews to reflect the story or the region's history. Notable individuals with the name are scarce, but Edom is sometimes used as a surname, particularly in Arabic-speaking areas. Meaning: Red, from Hebrew ʾaḏom Origin: Biblical Hebrew, ancient Edomite Type: Given name and surname Usage Regions: English-speaking world, Israel, and among Bible readers Related: Esau, Efron (via similar names)