Amaziah, King of Judah (c. 796–767 B.C.E.), famously invaded and severely defeated Edom, a long-standing adversary. He killed 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt, captured their capital, Sela (renaming it Joktheel), and executed another 10,000 prisoners by throwing them from a cliff. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Connections Between Edom and Amaziah:
Military Campaign: Amaziah, feeling his military power was sufficient, prepared for war to subjugate Edom, which had previously broken away from Judah's control.
The Battle: The battle took place in the "Valley of Salt" (near the southern Dead Sea) and at the Edomite capital of Sela.
Cruel Victory: According to 2 Chronicles 25, after killing 10,000 men in battle, Amaziah's army captured another 10,000 and threw them from the top of the "rock" (Sela) to their deaths.
Renaming Sela: Amaziah renamed the captured Edomite city of Sela to "Joktheel".
Idolatry of Foreign Gods: Following his victory, Amaziah brought back idols from Edom and worshipped them. This angered God, and a prophet rebuked him for worshipping gods that could not save their own people.
Prophetic Rebuke & Downfall: The idolatry of Edomite gods led to a prophetic warning that God would destroy Amaziah. This arrogance led to a failed challenge against King Jehoash of Israel, leading to the sacking of Jerusalem.
Context of Region: This event was part of a ongoing, cyclical struggle for control over the southern desert and trade routes, with Edom frequently rebelling against Judean rule (as detailed in)