King James Version

What Does Obadiah 1:14 Mean?

Obadiah 1:14 in the King James Version says “Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have ...” — study this verse from Obadiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Obadiah 1:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

16

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

Read Obadiah 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape—Edom's cruelty exceeded gloating and looting; they actively murdered refugees. "Stood in the crossway" (תַּעֲמֹד עַל־הַפֶּרֶק, ta'amod al-happereq) means positioning themselves at escape routes, mountain passes where fleeing Judeans would travel. "To cut off" (לְהַכְרִית, lehachrit) means to kill, destroy, eliminate. They hunted down survivors who escaped Babylon's slaughter.

Neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress (וְאַל־תַּסְגֵּר שְׂרִידָיו בְּיוֹם צָרָה, ve'al-tasger seridav beyom tzarah)—not merely killing refugees but capturing survivors and delivering them to enemies for execution or slavery. The Hebrew סָגַר (sagar) means to hand over, betray, imprison. This was ultimate treachery: using kinship knowledge to hunt relatives, then betraying them to executioners. Amos 1:11 condemns Edom for pursuing "his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity." Such cruelty demonstrates total moral bankruptcy deserving severe judgment. Christ taught that final judgment includes accountability for how we treat vulnerable people (Matthew 25:41-46).

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Jerusalem fell, many Judeans attempted escape through the Judean wilderness toward the Jordan Valley or Dead Sea region—territory Edom controlled or knew well. Instead of providing refuge (as kinship and Torah commanded), Edom hunted them down. Some captured refugees were apparently handed over to Babylonians for execution or enslavement. This monstrous cruelty—combining ethnic kinship knowledge with murderous hostility—constituted unforgivable sin in God's eyes. The parallel today: professing religious people who exploit vulnerable populations (refugees, persecuted minorities, the poor) rather than helping them face divine judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Edom's active participation in hunting refugees challenge mere passivity or indifference toward vulnerable people?
  2. In what ways might Christians today 'stand in the crossway' blocking escape for persecuted or desperate people?
  3. How does Christ's teaching about judgment based on treatment of 'the least of these' (Matthew 25:31-46) apply to refugee crises and human trafficking today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְאַֽל1 of 12
H408

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

תַּעֲמֹד֙2 of 12

“Neither shouldest thou have stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל3 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַפֶּ֔רֶק4 of 12

“in the crossway”

H6563

rapine; also a fork (in roads)

לְהַכְרִ֖ית5 of 12

“to cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

אֶת6 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּלִיטָ֑יו7 of 12

“those of his that did escape”

H6412

a refugee

וְאַל8 of 12
H408

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

תַּסְגֵּ֥ר9 of 12

“neither shouldest thou have delivered up”

H5462

to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

שְׂרִידָ֖יו10 of 12

“those of his that did remain”

H8300

a survivor

בְּי֥וֹם11 of 12

“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

צָרָֽה׃12 of 12

“of distress”

H6869

transitively, a female rival

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 1:14 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 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 1:9Psalms 31:8Obadiah 1:12Jeremiah 30:7Isaiah 37:3Amos 1:6

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