While Israel was herding its flocks in Egypt, Edom was establishing itself in the mountains of Seir.

Esau, the brother of Jacob, had already gathered around him a body of followers, and had married into the family of a Horite chief.

His descendants, partly by conquest, partly by absorption, planted themselves securely in the country which was henceforth to be called Edom.

Horite and Amalekite Bedawin were alike absorbed into the new-comers, whose position in Edom resembled that of the Israelites in Canaan.
How long the work of conquest and settlement lasted we do not know.

It resulted in the formation of numerous tribes, each under its chieftain, the _aluph_ or "duke" as he was termed.