King James Version

What Does Obadiah 1:13 Mean?

Obadiah 1:13 in the King James Version says “Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have lo...” — study this verse from Obadiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Obadiah 1:13 · KJV

Context

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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

15

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity—God specifies Edom's crimes during Jerusalem's fall. "Entered into the gate" (תָּבוֹא בְשַׁעַר, tavo vesha'ar) suggests either gloating entry as spectators or active looting. The phrase repeats "in the day of their calamity" (בְּיוֹם אֵידָם, beyom eidam) three times, emphasizing this particular moment when Edom should have shown compassion but instead exploited vulnerability.

Yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction—not mere observation but gloating over suffering. The Hebrew תֵּרֶא בְרָעָתוֹ (tere vera'ato) implies malicious viewing, taking pleasure in misfortune. Nor have laid hands on their substance (וְאַל־תִּשְׁלַחְנָה בְחֵילוֹ, ve'al-tishlachnah vecheilo)—actively stealing from the devastated. This triple indictment—gloating presence, malicious observation, and opportunistic looting—reveals Edom's moral depravity. Proverbs 17:5 warns: "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." Edom's response to covenant relatives' catastrophe earned divine retribution.

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Babylon besieged Jerusalem (588-586 BC), Edom apparently cooperated—cutting off refugees (v. 14), looting ruins, celebrating destruction. Psalm 137:7 captures Jewish anguish: "Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof." This betrayal was especially heinous given the blood relationship. Rather than helping relatives in crisis (as Torah commanded—Leviticus 25:35-36), Edom exploited their calamity. This teaches that God sees how His people are treated in times of vulnerability and holds others accountable. The principle applies today: how believers respond to others' suffering reveals character and invites either divine approval or judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when others (especially those you dislike) face calamity—with compassion or secret satisfaction?
  2. In what ways might professing Christians 'loot the afflicted' by exploiting vulnerable people's suffering for personal gain?
  3. How does Christ's identification with suffering people (Matthew 25:31-46) challenge indifference or exploitation of those in calamity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אַל1 of 18
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּב֤וֹא2 of 18

“Thou shouldest not have entered”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְשַֽׁעַר3 of 18

“into the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

עַמִּי֙4 of 18

“of my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּי֥וֹם5 of 18

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֵידֽוֹ׃6 of 18

“of their calamity”

H343

oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin

אַל7 of 18
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֵּ֧רֶא8 of 18

“yea thou shouldest not have looked”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

גַם9 of 18
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַתָּ֛ה10 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בְּרָעָת֖וֹ11 of 18

“on their affliction”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

בְּי֥וֹם12 of 18

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֵידֽוֹ׃13 of 18

“of their calamity”

H343

oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin

וְאַל14 of 18
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁלַ֥חְנָה15 of 18

“nor have laid”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בְחֵיל֖וֹ16 of 18

“hands on their substance”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

בְּי֥וֹם17 of 18

“in the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֵידֽוֹ׃18 of 18

“of their calamity”

H343

oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Obadiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Obadiah 1:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Obadiah 1:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 35:5Zechariah 1:152 Samuel 16:12Psalms 22:17Ezekiel 35:10

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