The word “Dumah” does not seem to refer to any cities or localities by the name of Dumah. It could hardly refer to the Ishmaelitish Dumah (named after a son of Ishmael [Gen. 25:14]), about midway between Palestine and southern Babylonia, nor to the Judean Dumah, situated in the isolated mountainous region. (Josh. 15:52)

“Dumah” means “silence,” and is so translated at Psalms 94:17; 115:17. The word “Dumah” used with reference to Edom would imply that Edom was to become silent, as in the silence of death, or nonexistence.