Some have proposed that the present name is a corruption of Edom. But “while this seems to make sense in the present context, in the company of other nearer neighbors of Israel it is difficult to imagine scribes tolerating a change to the present reading. On the basis of lectio difficilior, 'the more difficult reading,' therefore, the Hebrew must be allowed to stand, which heightens the significance of this first cycle.”1
8 Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.