King James Version

What Does Obadiah 1:17 Mean?

Obadiah 1:17 in the King James Version says “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their posses...” — study this verse from Obadiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Obadiah 1:17 · KJV

Context

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.

19

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. After pronouncing judgment on Edom and the nations, Obadiah pivots dramatically with "But" (וּ, ve)—introducing contrast between the nations' fate and Zion's future. "Upon mount Zion shall be deliverance" (וּבְהַר צִיּוֹן תִּהְיֶה פְלֵיטָה, uvehar tziyon tihyeh peleytah) promises that while Edom and hostile nations face judgment, Zion—representing God's covenant people—will experience escape, deliverance, and salvation.

"And there shall be holiness" (וְהָיָה קֹדֶשׁ, vehayah qodesh) indicates not merely ritual purity but comprehensive consecration to God. Zion will be set apart, sanctified, dwelling in covenant relationship with the Holy One. This contrasts sharply with the defilement and violence characterizing Edom and rebellious nations. Holiness is both God's gift to His people and their calling—separated from sin and dedicated to God's purposes.

"And the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions" (וְיָרְשׁוּ בֵּית יַעֲקֹב אֵת מוֹרָשֵׁיהֶם, veyareshu beit ya'akov et moreshehem) promises restoration of inheritance. The verb יָרַשׁ (yarash) means to dispossess, inherit, or take possession—the same word used for Israel's conquest of Canaan. What enemies had taken will be restored; what God promised will be fulfilled. The covenant land and blessings will return to their rightful recipients.

This verse has multiple fulfillments. Immediately, it encouraged exiles that despite Babylon's devastation and Edom's treachery, God would restore Israel. Historically, the return from exile (538 BC onward) partially fulfilled this. Yet the ultimate fulfillment is eschatological and spiritual—in Christ. He is the true Zion (Hebrews 12:22-24), the place of deliverance and holiness. Believers in Christ are the house of Jacob—Jew and Gentile united—who inherit all covenant promises (Romans 9:6-8, Galatians 3:29, Ephesians 3:6). The New Jerusalem is the ultimate Mount Zion where God's people dwell in holiness forever (Revelation 21-22).

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Historical & Cultural Context

For Obadiah's audience—Jews suffering exile or its aftermath—this promise was desperately needed hope. Jerusalem lay in ruins, the temple destroyed, the land occupied by enemies, and covenant promises seemingly nullified. Edom's treachery during Jerusalem's fall (verses 10-14) made the wound even deeper. Where was deliverance? Where was holiness? How would they possess their possessions when everything was lost?

God's answer through Obadiah: Mount Zion—representing God's presence and covenant faithfulness—would become the source of deliverance. Though currently devastated, Zion's future was secure because God's promises are irrevocable. The physical return from exile under Cyrus, Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah began this restoration. Jerusalem was rebuilt, the temple reconstructed, and covenant worship restored.

Yet the full reality awaited Christ. Jesus ascended from the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem (Acts 1:9-12), guaranteeing His return to establish His kingdom. The early church understood itself as spiritual Zion—the place where God dwells by His Spirit (1 Peter 2:4-10). Hebrews 12:22-24 declares believers have come "unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem." The promise continues to its consummation when Christ returns and God's people inherit the new heavens and new earth—possessing fully the inheritance secured by Christ's redemptive work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Mount Zion as the place of deliverance point to Christ as our ultimate refuge and salvation?
  2. What does it mean for believers to be characterized by holiness—set apart for God—in daily life and conduct?
  3. In what ways have you experienced restoration of inheritance—spiritual blessings that sin or circumstances had stolen?
  4. How does the promise that "the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions" assure you that God's covenant promises will be fully realized?
  5. How should the certainty of future restoration affect your response to present losses, injustices, or discouragements?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּבְהַ֥ר1 of 11

“But upon mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּ֛וֹן2 of 11

“Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

תִּהְיֶ֥ה3 of 11
H1961

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

פְלֵיטָ֖ה4 of 11

“shall be deliverance”

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

וְהָ֣יָה5 of 11
H1961

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

קֹ֑דֶשׁ6 of 11

“and there shall be holiness”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְיָֽרְשׁוּ֙7 of 11

“shall possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

בֵּ֣ית8 of 11

“and the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב9 of 11

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

אֵ֖ת10 of 11
H853

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

מוֹרָֽשֵׁיהֶם׃11 of 11

“their possessions”

H4180

a possession; figuratively, delight

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 1:17 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 1:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 9:11-15Revelation 21:27Isaiah 14:1-2Joel 3:19-21Amos 9:8Joel 2:32

Places in This Verse

Mount ZionHill · Modern: Mount Zion · 31.77°N, 35.23°E25 verses across 10 books
View all places in Obadiah 1 →

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