King James Version

What Does Obadiah 1:16 Mean?

Obadiah 1:16 in the King James Version says “For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they ...” — study this verse from Obadiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Obadiah 1:16 · KJV

Context

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

17

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

18

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually—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, shetitem al-har qodshi) likely refers to nations celebrating Jerusalem's fall, drinking victory wine on Mount Zion. The principle of reciprocal judgment: as you drank in celebration, so nations will drink God's wrath. "All the heathen drink continually" (יִשְׁתּוּ כָל־הַגּוֹיִם תָּמִיד, yishtu chol-haggoyim tamid)—perpetual drinking of judgment.

Yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been (וְשָׁתוּ וְלָעוּ וְהָיוּ כְּלוֹא הָיוּ, veshatu vela'u vehayu khelo hayu)—progressive intensification: drinking, gulping down, disappearing into non-existence. The cup of God's wrath is a pervasive biblical metaphor (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15-29, Revelation 14:10, 16:19). Those who celebrate God's people's suffering will drink this cup themselves. Yet Christ drank the cup of God's wrath in our place (Matthew 26:39, 42), allowing believers to drink the cup of salvation (Psalm 116:13) and blessing at the Lord's Table (1 Corinthians 10:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

When Jerusalem fell (586 BC), surrounding nations—including Edom—celebrated, perhaps literally drinking victory wine on Zion's ruins. But God decreed reciprocal judgment: they would drink the wine of His wrath. Jeremiah 25:15-29 commands the prophet to make all nations drink the cup of God's fury, specifically including Edom. Historically, this was fulfilled as Edom and other nations faced conquest and judgment. Ultimately, all who rebel against God will 'drink and swallow down' judgment until they cease to exist. Only those who trust Christ—who drank judgment's cup for us—escape this fate.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the metaphor of drinking God's wrath cup communicate the reality and horror of divine judgment?
  2. In what ways does Christ's drinking the cup of God's wrath (Matthew 26:39) demonstrate substitutionary atonement?
  3. How should the certainty of judgment on those who celebrate God's people's suffering shape believers' response to persecution?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּ֗י1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר2 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וְשָׁת֣וּ3 of 15

“For as ye have drunk”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

עַל4 of 15
H5921

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

הַ֣ר5 of 15

“mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

קָדְשִׁ֔י6 of 15

“upon my holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְשָׁת֣וּ7 of 15

“For as ye have drunk”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

כָֽל8 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֖ם9 of 15

“so shall all the heathen”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

תָּמִ֑יד10 of 15

“continually”

H8548

properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re

וְשָׁת֣וּ11 of 15

“For as ye have drunk”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

וְלָע֔וּ12 of 15

“and they shall swallow down”

H3886

to gulp; figuratively, to be rash

וְהָי֖וּ13 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּל֥וֹא14 of 15

“and they shall be as though they had not”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָיֽוּ׃15 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

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 1:16 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 1:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joel 3:17Jeremiah 49:12Jeremiah 25:15-16Isaiah 51:22-23Isaiah 49:25-26Habakkuk 1:9

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