Idumaean
/ˌɪd.juːˈmiː.ən/noun
Relating to Idumaea, the ancient Greek and Roman name for the biblical region of Edom, or to its people.
Did you know?Herod the Great was Idumaean by ancestry, making this obscure ancient regional label unexpectedly central to the political world of the New Testament.
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Hebrew
אֱדוֹם (Edom)
“Edom, traditionally interpreted as “red”; the ancient region and people south of Judah”
Hellenistic Period
Greek
Ἰδουμαία (Idoumaía)
“Idumaea, the Greek name for the territory of Edom”
Roman Period
Latin
Idumaea
“The Roman geographical name for the region of Edom”
Late Middle English
English
Idumean
“Relating to Idumaea or its inhabitants”
Modern English
English
Idumaean
“Relating to Idumaea, its people, or their culture”