Moments of national crisis and exile often become fertile ground for the expansionist ambitions of enemies. Following the destruction of the Israelites, Edom recognizes a historic opportunity to claim their ancestral land. The primary approach among commentators is that Edom specifically targets the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, along with their respective capitals, Jerusalem and Samaria [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, חומת אנך, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם]. Despite the political division that occurred after the reign of King David, Edom ultimately views these territories as a single, unified prize to be conquered [רד״ק]. Historically and geographically, the Edomites planned to exploit the Babylonian exile to invade and annex the territories of Judah directly into Edom [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Looking further ahead, some view Edom's actions as a prophetic hint to the Roman Empire, which would later conquer the land and hold it for centuries following the destruction of the Second Temple [אברבנאל].
The motive behind this territorial claim stems from the mindset of Esau, Edom's ancestor. He believed that with the descendants of Jacob exiled, he remained the closest legal heir to the ancestral lands [חומת אנך]. This claim of inheritance echoes an ancient plot devised by Esau long before. He originally planned to incite Ishmael to kill Isaac over Abraham's inheritance, with the ultimate goal of then killing Ishmael as a blood avenger, thereby securing both shares of the wealth and land for himself [רש״י].
However, these grand ambitions collide with a fundamental reality: God remains present in the land. The primary approach among commentators views this as a clear expression of God's active providence. God hears the malicious words and knows the hidden thoughts of the Edomites. He will ensure their expansionist plans fail, ultimately bringing their wicked actions back upon their own heads [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Furthermore, Edom completely ignores the spiritual reality of the location of the Temple. The Divine Presence has never left the site, proving that the exile of the Israelites is only temporary. God will not abandon His land to a nation that openly despised the birthright and harbored a deep hatred for commandments such as circumcision and sacrifices [מצודת דוד, חומת אנך, אברבנאל].
Beyond merely conquering the physical territory, another perspective suggests that Edom's ambitions reach much higher. They do not just want to inherit the land; they want to inherit God Himself. Edom argues that since the Israelites desecrated God's name and suffered exile, Edom should now step in to take their place as the chosen people. God firmly rejects this claim, clarifying that Edom's persecution of the Israelites during their exile does not stem from any genuine zeal for God's honor. Instead, it is driven purely by deep-seated hatred and malice [מלבי״ם].