About Obadiah

Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, pronounces judgment on Edom for pride and hostility toward Israel.

Author: ObadiahWritten: c. 586-553 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 21
PrideJudgmentJusticeBrotherhoodDay of the LordKingdom

King James Version

Obadiah 1

21 verses with commentary

The Doom of Edom

The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.

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KJV Study Commentary

Obadiah's opening establishes prophetic authority: "The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle." The phrase "vision of Obadiah" (chazon 'Obadyah) indicates divine revelation, not human speculation. Obadiah means "servant of Yahweh," fitting for ...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

1-9**.—THE DIVINE HOSTILITY AGAINST EDOM PROCLAIMED.** (1) **The vision of Obadiah.**—Properly, *vision of Obadiah,* without the article. There are three recognised headings to prophetical books—*word, burden* (*i.e.,* oracle), and *vision—*and all are used without the article, and in a general way, for the contents of the books, without any intention to distinguish between different kinds or mode...
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Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.

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KJV Study Commentary

God declares Edom's future: "Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised." The phrase "I have made" uses prophetic perfect—future judgment spoken as completed because it's certain. God will reduce Edom from their proud mountain fortresses to insignificance. "Greatly despised" (bazuy me'od) indicates contempt and humiliation. This teaches divine sovereignty—nations r...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

7. The prince's possession is to consist of two halves, one on the west, the other on the east, of the sacred territory. The prince, as head of the holy community, stands in closest connection with the sanctuary; his possession, therefore, on both sides must adjoin that which was peculiarly the Lord's [Fairbairn].

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?</strong> God identifies the root of Edom's sin: pride. The Hebrew זְדוֹן לִבְּךָ (<em>zedon libbeka</em>, "pride of your heart") indicates arrogant presumption rooted deep within. The verb הִשִּׁיא (<em>hissi</e...
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Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.</strong> God responds to Edom's presumptuous question ("Who shall bring me down?") with devastating clarity: even if you achieved the impossible, <em>I</em> will bring you down. The imagery escalates from geographic reality to hyperbolic impossibility. The ea...
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If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? some: or, gleanings?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough?</strong> God employs ironic comparison—even thieves leave something behind. The Hebrew גַּנָּבִים (<em>gannavim</em>, "thieves") and שֹׁדְדֵי לַיְלָה (<em>shodedei laylah</em>, "destroyers of night") would take only what they could carry or wanted. The parenthetical exclam...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5-9) The completeness of the overthrow awaiting Edom. It is no mere inroad of a marauding tribe. Something would escape the *robber,* though he might go away quite satisfied with his plunder; and even a raid in vintage time, for the purpose of doing all the mischief possible to the country, would leave here and there a scattered bunch, gleanings for the inhabitants when the spoilers had retired, ...
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How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!</strong> This verse continues the ironic contrast—Edom's hidden treasures, supposedly secure in mountain fortresses and secret places, will be thoroughly plundered. The Hebrew נֶחְפְּשׂוּ עֵשָׂו (<em>nechpesu Esav</em>, "how searched out is Esau") and מַצְפֻּנָיו (<em>matzpunav</em>, "his hidden things" or "treas...
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All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. that were: Heb. of thy peace they: Heb. the men of thy bread in him: or, of it

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee</strong>—Edom's allies (אַנְשֵׁי בְרִיתֶךָ, <em>anshei veritecha</em>, "men of your covenant") will betray them. "Brought thee to the border" means either escorted you to expulsion or brought you to the brink of destruction. Those who seem...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

12. The standard weights were lost when the Chaldeans destroyed the temple. The threefold enumeration of shekels (twenty, twenty-five, fifteen) probably refers to coins of different value, representing respectively so many shekels, the three collectively making up a maneh. By weighing these together against the maneh, a test was afforded whether they severally had their proper weight: sixty shekel...
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Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?</strong> God rhetorically asks whether He will destroy Edom's wisdom (חֲכָמִים, <em>chachamim</em>) and understanding (תְּבוּנָה, <em>tevunah</em>). The implied answer: absolutely yes. "In that day" (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, <em>bayom hahu</em>) points to the day of judgment....
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-15. In these oblations there is a progression as to the relation between the kind and the quantity: of the corn, the sixth of a tenth, that is, a sixtieth part of the quantity specified; of the oil, the tenth of a tenth, that is, an hundredth part; and of the flock, one from every two hundred.

And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.</strong> After destroying wisdom (v. 8), God targets military might. "Thy mighty men" (גִּבּוֹרֶיךָ, <em>gibborekha</em>) refers to warriors, heroes, champions. "Teman" (תֵּימָן, <em>Teman</em>) was a prominent Edomite city, grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:11), symbolizi...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-15. In these oblations there is a progression as to the relation between the kind and the quantity: of the corn, the sixth of a tenth, that is, a sixtieth part of the quantity specified; of the oil, the tenth of a tenth, that is, an hundredth part; and of the flock, one from every two hundred.

For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

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KJV Study Commentary

God specifies Edom's crime: "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever." Edom's sin was "violence against thy brother"—Jacob and Esau were twin brothers (Genesis 25:24-26), making Israel and Edom kindred nations. Deuteronomy 23:7 commanded: "Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother." Yet Edom violated this kinship through vi...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

10-16.—**THE DIVINE SENTENCE JUSTIFIED BY EDOM’S GUILT.** This justification takes the form of a warning against a repetition of the crimes which have already called forth the sentence of Divine wrath against Edom. Various acts of hostility and treachery towards Israel are specified by the prophet, in a manner to lead to the feeling that though his tone is prohibitory, he is recalling instances of...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13-15. In these oblations there is a progression as to the relation between the kind and the quantity: of the corn, the sixth of a tenth, that is, a sixtieth part of the quantity specified; of the oil, the tenth of a tenth, that is, an hundredth part; and of the flock, one from every two hundred.

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them. captive: or, his substance

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KJV Study Commentary

Edom's specific betrayal: "In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them." When Jerusalem fell to Babylon, Edom "stood on the other side"—passive spectators at best, hostile participants at worst. "Strangers carried away captive his fo...
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But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. spoken: Heb. magnified thy mouth

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KJV Study Commentary

God condemns Edom's attitudes during Jerusalem's fall: "But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress." The repetition "thou shouldest not" emphasizes moral obligation violated. "Looke...
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Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; substance: or, forces

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity</strong>—God specifies Edom's crimes during Jerusalem's fall. "Entered into the gate" (תָּבוֹא בְשַׁעַר, <em>tavo vesha'ar</em>) suggests either gloating entry as spectators or active looting. The phrase repeats "in the day of their calamity" (בְּיוֹם אֵידָם, <em>beyom eidam</em>) three times, emphasizi...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. The year is to begin with a consecration service, not mentioned under the Levitical law; but an earnest of it is given in the feast of dedication of the second temple, which celebrated its purification by Judas Maccabeus, after its defilement by Antiochus.

Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress. delivered up: or, shut up

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape</strong>—Edom's cruelty exceeded gloating and looting; they actively murdered refugees. "Stood in the crossway" (תַּעֲמֹד עַל־הַפֶּרֶק, <em>ta'amod al-happereq</em>) means positioning themselves at escape routes, mountain passes where fleeing Judeans would travel. "To cut off" (לְהַכְרִית, <em>lehach...
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The Day of the Lord

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse announces the universal scope of divine judgment and establishes the principle of divine retribution. "For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen" (ki-qarov yom-YHWH al-kol-hagoyim) introduces the Day of the LORD—a key prophetic theme describing God's decisive intervention in history to judge evil and vindicate righteousness. The phrase "upon all the heathen" (al-kol-hagoyim, ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**20. for him that is simple--**for sins of ignorance (Le 4:2, 13, 27).

For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. swallow: or, sup up

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually</strong>—God addresses either Edom and nations who celebrated on Zion's ruins, or Jews who experienced judgment. "Drunk upon my holy mountain" (שְׁתִיתֶם עַל־הַר קָדְשִׁי, <em>shetitem al-har qodshi</em>) likely refers to nations celebrating Jerusalem's fall, drinking victory wine on Mount Zion. The prin...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

21. As a new solemnity, the feast of consecration is to prepare for the passover; so the passover itself is to have different sacrifices from those of the Mosaic law. Instead of one ram and seven lambs for the daily burnt offering, there are to be seven bullocks and seven rams. So also whereas the feast of tabernacles had its own offerings, which diminished as the days of the feast advanced, here ...
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But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. deliverance: or, they that escape there: or, it shall be holy

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.</strong> After pronouncing judgment on Edom and the nations, Obadiah pivots dramatically with "But" (וּ, <em>ve</em>)—introducing contrast between the nations' fate and Zion's future. "Upon mount Zion shall be deliverance" (וּבְהַר צִיּוֹן תִּהְיֶה פְלֵיטָה, <em>uv...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

17-21**.—ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF JEHOVAH ON MOUNT ZION.** (17) **Deliverance.**—Better, as in margin, *the fugitives of Israel who have survived the recent calamity.* This is clear from Isaiah 10:20, where *phelêytah* is in parallelism with shear=remnant, as well as Joel 2:32; Hebrews 3:5, where it is parallel to *serîdîm,* also remnant. (Comp. also Judges 21:17; 2Chronicles 20:24.) While ...
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And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble</strong>—God promises role reversal: defeated Jacob/Joseph becomes consuming fire (אֵשׁ/<em>esh</em> and לֶהָבָה/<em>lehavah</em>); proud Esau becomes stubble (קַשׁ, <em>qash</em>). Fire and stubble represent total incompatibility—stubble cannot withstand flame. "House of Joseph" incl...
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And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines</strong>—God specifies territorial restoration. "They of the south" (הַנֶּגֶב, <em>ha-Negev</em>) refers to southern Judah, who will possess Edom's mountainous region. "They of the plain" (הַשְּׁפֵלָה, <em>ha-Shephelah</em>)—the western lowlands—will possess Philistine territory. This reverses cent...
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And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. which: or, shall possess that which is in

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath</strong>—the exiled northern tribes ("this host") will return and expand territory northward to Zarephath (modern Lebanon, site of Elijah's ministry to the widow—1 Kings 17:8-24). The word גָּלֻת (<em>galut</em>, "captivity" or "exile") emphasizes those scattered by Assyrian c...
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And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.</strong> Obadiah's prophecy concludes with a glorious vision of God's ultimate triumph. "Saviours shall come up on mount Zion" (וְעָלוּ מוֹשִׁעִים בְּהַר צִיּוֹן, <em>ve'alu moshi'im behar tziyon</em>) uses the plural "saviours" or "deliverers" (מוֹשִׁעִים, <em>moshi'im</em>)—from the ...
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