King James Version

What Does Obadiah 1:19 Mean?

Obadiah 1:19 in the King James Version says “And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the...” — study this verse from Obadiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Obadiah 1:19 · KJV

Context

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.

20

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

21

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines—God specifies territorial restoration. "They of the south" (הַנֶּגֶב, ha-Negev) refers to southern Judah, who will possess Edom's mountainous region. "They of the plain" (הַשְּׁפֵלָה, ha-Shephelah)—the western lowlands—will possess Philistine territory. This reverses centuries of hostile occupation and border conflicts.

And they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead—comprehensive restoration of all tribal territories, including the northern kingdom (Ephraim, Samaria) conquered by Assyria (722 BC). Benjamin, the smallest tribe, will possess Gilead east of the Jordan—land typically held by Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. The verb יָרַשׁ (yarash, "possess") is the conquest term—they will inherit and occupy what God promised.

This has partial historical fulfillment in post-exilic restoration and Maccabean expansion, but the complete fulfillment is eschatological. Christ's kingdom includes all God's promises to Israel, fulfilled in the new heavens and new earth. Romans 4:13 declares Abraham's promise extends beyond Canaan to inheriting the world. Believers in Christ—the true Israel (Galatians 6:16)—will inherit all things (Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:7).

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Historical & Cultural Context

After the exile, returning Jews gradually reoccupied the land. During the Maccabean period (165-63 BC), Jewish territory expanded significantly, including former Edomite and Philistine regions. John Hyrcanus conquered Idumea (former Edom) and the coastal plain. The Hasmonean dynasty controlled extensive territory approximating this prophecy. Yet Roman conquest (63 BC) limited fulfillment. The ultimate reality awaits Christ's return when God's people inherit the renewed creation (Romans 8:18-23). The land promises point beyond geography to comprehensive restoration of all creation under God's rule through the Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do Old Testament land promises find ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the new creation rather than merely geographic territory?
  2. In what ways does believers' future inheritance (the new heavens and earth) exceed even the most extensive territorial expansion in biblical history?
  3. How should confidence in future complete restoration shape present contentment despite incomplete justice or limited resources?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְיָרְשׁוּ֙1 of 18

“and they 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

הַנֶּ֜גֶב2 of 18

“And they of the south”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

אֶת3 of 18
H853

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

הַ֣ר4 of 18

“the mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

עֵשָׂ֗ו5 of 18

“of Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

וְהַשְּׁפֵלָה֙6 of 18

“and they of the plain”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

אֶת7 of 18
H853

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

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים8 of 18

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וְיָרְשׁוּ֙9 of 18

“and they 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

אֶת10 of 18
H853

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

שְׂדֵ֣ה11 of 18

“and the fields”

H7704

a field (as flat)

אֶפְרַ֔יִם12 of 18

“of Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְאֵ֖ת13 of 18
H853

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

שְׂדֵ֣ה14 of 18

“and the fields”

H7704

a field (as flat)

שֹׁמְר֑וֹן15 of 18

“of Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

וּבִנְיָמִ֖ן16 of 18

“and Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

אֶת17 of 18
H853

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

הַגִּלְעָֽד׃18 of 18

“shall possess Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

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 1:19 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 1:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 32:44Zephaniah 2:4-7Amos 9:12Malachi 1:4-5Ezekiel 36:28Ezekiel 37:21-25

Places in This Verse

Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
Mount EsauMountain Range · Modern: Jebel esh Shera · 30.18°N, 35.32°E4 verses across 1 book
NegebRegion · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E43 verses across 13 books
PhilistiaRegion · Modern: Tel Ashkelon · 31.66°N, 34.55°E22 verses across 14 books
Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
ShephelahRegion · Modern: Shephelah · 31.69°N, 34.88°E19 verses across 9 books
View all places in Obadiah 1 →

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