n.
Ancient country of the Middle East, south of the Dead Sea .
The Edomites probably occupied the area 0441; 13th century BC. Though closely related to the Israelites, they were in frequent conflict with and were probably subject to the Israelite kingdom (11th10th century BC). Located on the trade route between the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean Sea coast, Edom was known for its copper industry. Later conquered by the Nabataeans, the Edomites migrated to southern Judaea . Edom and neighbouring Moab were known in Maccabean and Roman times as Idumaea.