Interesting Facts

• Husham/Chusham/’Asam was from the land of Temani/Teman.
• He was made king over the children of Esau after the death of Jobab.
• According to the Book of Jasher, Chusham reigned in Edom for twenty years.

Genealogy

• Husham/Chusham/’Asam was taken by the children of Esau to be their king after the death of Jobab.
• His origin was from the land of Teman.
• No information regarding his ancestry, birth, marital connections, or offspring is provided in the sources.

Historical Context

The reign of Husham/Chusham/’Asam over Edom followed the ten-year rule of Jobab, son of Zerah/Zarach/Zara. This period continued the established pattern of kings ruling in Edom “before there reigned any king over the children of Israel”. The Book of Jasher specifies that during Jobab’s reign, the children of Esau refrained from fighting with the sons of Jacob due to fear, suggesting a period of peace, albeit with underlying hatred. Chusham’s subsequent twenty-year reign in Edom occurred during a time when Joseph and his brethren, and all the children of Israel, dwelt securely in Egypt without hindrance. The land of Egypt was also at rest from war during this time. This suggests that Chusham’s rule in Edom coincided with a period of relative stability between the Edomites and the Israelites, at least in terms of direct military conflict, as the focus of the narrative shifts to events within Egypt and involving other surrounding nations.

Narrative

The narrative surrounding Husham/Chusham/’Asam begins with his selection by the children of Esau to succeed Jobab as king of Edom. The Book of Jasher explicitly states that Chusham reigned for twenty years. The transition of power indicates the continued governance of the Edomites through appointed kings. The fact that the children of Esau chose a man from the land of Teman to be their king highlights the possibility that, as mentioned earlier in the context of Bela’s reign, they preferred a ruler who was not from among their own brethren due to internal strife. The sources do not detail any specific actions, dialogues, or significant events that occurred during Husham/Chusham/’Asam’s twenty-year reign. His narrative is primarily defined by his position in the succession of Edomite kings during a time when the Israelites were peacefully residing in Egypt under the leadership of Joseph. Following his twenty-year rule, Chusham/Husham/’Asam died and was succeeded by Hadad the son of Bedad.