Changes

Beginning in the Late Bronze Age, the two peoples had repeated contact that often ended in violence. The reasons for the conflict can only be understood by examining the historical books of the Old Testament within the context of the archaeological discoveries from the Levant.

The first historical point of conflict between the Hebrews and Edomites took place in the Late Bronze Age, around the year 1200 BC, when the Hebrews left Egypt in the Exodus. As the Hebrews wandered throughout the Sinai Desert on their way to what would become their home in Canaan, they had to pass through Edom. According to the book of Numbers (20:17-20), the Edomites denied the Hebrews passage through their land. Modern biblical scholars such as Kitchen believe that the unknown Edomite king did this because he was unhappy that Hebrews approached from the west, which was land the Edomites claimed. <ref> Kitchen, p. 195</ref> Nothing else is mentioned and the Hebrews turned around and found a different route.