Red From Crown to Garment and the Red Reckoning of Edom

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 111:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"From that red, red stuff" (Genesis 25:30). Rabbi Yohanan said: [Esau is condemned] from himself and from his patron. Resh Lakish said: from himself and from those like him. He is Edom [the Red One]: "And the first came out ruddy" (above, verse 25) — he himself was red; his stew was red, "Let me gulp down some of that red stuff"; his land is red, "to the land of Seir, the field of Edom" (Genesis 32:4); his warriors are red, "the shield of his mighty men is made red" (Nahum 2:4); his garment is red, "valiant men in scarlet." Red [Edom] will exact punishment from him: "My beloved is dazzling and ruddy" (Song of Songs 5:10) — clothed in red, "Why is Your apparel red?" [the LORD comes in red-stained garments to judge Edom].

Themes

Divine JusticeExileRedemption

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