Biblical Archaeology: Kingdom of Edom

“Archaeologists confirm the greatness of the biblical kingdom of Edom” – Over at Evangelical Focus it is reported that copper mines where discovered to indicate a stable kingdom prior to the monarchy of Israel as detailed in the book of Genesis.

In chapter 36 of Genesis, the descendants of Esau (Edom) are described as kings who “reigned in Edom before any Israelite king reigned”. Esau, being the father of the Edomites, is listed in that genealogy of chapter 36 of Genesis and up until now, there was no archaeological evidence to ratify this kingdom of Edom.

According to the Christian Post “researchers from the University of California and the Central Timna Valley Project at Tel Aviv University documented their work in a paper published last week, titled ‘Ancient technology and punctuated change: Detecting the emergence of the Edomite Kingdom in the Southern Levant.’ “

Genesis 36:31-39 lists the eight Edomite kings up to that time, delineating a long line of political leaders during the years in which Israel lived in slavery in Egypt. This finding of the Edomite kingdom developing a territory ruled by kings is concurrent with the passages in Genesis.

Resources:

“Archaeology discovery: Evidence of biblical kingdom of Edom found” by Michael Gryboski, The Christian Post, Sept 24, 2019

“Archaeologists confirm the greatness of the biblical kingdom of Edom” Evangelical Focus, Sept, 26, 2019

“Ancient technology and punctuated change: Detecting the emergence of the Edomite Kingdom in the Southern Levant” by Ben-Yosef E, Liss B, Yagel OA, Tirosh O, Najjar M, Levy TE., PLoS ONE 14(9) 2019.

“Israeli Researchers Identify Biblical Kingdom of Edom” by Aron Reich, The Jerusalem Post, Sept. 19, 2019

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Post about other biblical archaeological discoveries from this blog include:

A Guide to Internet Archaeology

Ziklag

Clay Seal of King Josiah’s Aide Found

Ring of Pontius Pilate Discovered

Caiaphas Ossuary