SUMMARY
Politically, geographically, and religiously, the nation-states of Moab, Edom, and Aram play important roles in the biblical text. But who were they?
ANALYSIS
Similar to Israel and JudahJudah was the name of Jacob's fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More, Moab, Edom, and Aram were small, regional Canaanite kingdoms, who zealously guarded their autonomy while constantly attempting to breach the borders of the others. Yet the Bible takes care to record the close connections these “foreigners” had to Israel. The text preserves the tradition that the Edomite nation-state descended from Jacob’s brother EsauSon of Isaac and Rebekah and the older twin brother of Jacob. More (IsaacSon born to Abraham and Sarah in fulfillment of God's promise. More and Rachel’s son, Abraham’s grandson – Genesis 25:30, 36:1-8). Aram and the Arameans are listed as part of the lineage of Noah’s son Shem in Genesis 10:22; 11:10-26. Intriguingly, the Arameans take pride of place in Deuteronomy 26:5. There, at the beginning of a litany of history and praise that pilgrims would recite at the first fruits festival, AbrahamGod promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to all nations. More is called a “wandering Aramean.”
Most scandalous of the three, Moab (along with Ammon) is said to have as its ancestor Abraham’s nephew LotNephew of Abraham and Sarah. More and Lot’s daughters (Genesis 19). According to the tale, Lot’s daughters inebriate their father in order to impregnate themselves by him. This is not a pretty story, to put it mildly. It may be helpful to remember two important pieces of context: first, they were living in a cave after witnessing the fiery immolation of Sodom and Gomorrah. They may very well have believed themselves to be the last humans on Earth, or at least in the region. Second, Lot had just recently offered these same daughters up as acceptable rape-victims to a gang of violent townsmen (Genesis 19:4-8). While neither fact excuses the daughters’ actions, it does help us see their story as part of a larger narrative of generational abuse and violence. This family line from Lot and his daughter would eventually give birth to a famous Moabite woman named RuthThe great-grandmother of David. More. After marrying into an Israelite family, Ruth’s great-grandson would grow up to be King DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More of Jerusalem.
Each of these three nation-states is included in the larger family history of Israel. The reason their common ancestry was kept and recorded is unclear. In the final form of the text, this “family history” underscores the point that, despite the constant warring, God is always working to bring the blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More of Abraham to all of the families of the earth (Genesis 12:3).
