King James Version

What Does Obadiah 1:5 Mean?

Obadiah 1:5 in the King James Version says “If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? i... — study this verse from Obadiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? some: or, gleanings?

Obadiah 1:5 · KJV


Context

3

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

4

Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

5

If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? some: or, gleanings?

6

How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!

7

All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. that were: Heb. of thy peace they: Heb. the men of thy bread in him: or, of it


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? God employs ironic comparison—even thieves leave something behind. The Hebrew גַּנָּבִים (gannavim, "thieves") and שֹׁדְדֵי לַיְלָה (shodedei laylah, "destroyers of night") would take only what they could carry or wanted. The parenthetical exclamation "how art thou cut off!" (אֵיךְ נִדְמֵיתָה, ekh nidmeytah) expresses astonishment at the thoroughness of Edom's destruction.

If the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? (אִם־בֹּצְרִים בָּאוּ לָךְ לֹא יַשְׁאִירוּ עֹלֵלוֹת, im-botzrim ba'u lakh lo yash'iru olelot). Leviticus 19:10 and Deuteronomy 24:21 commanded grape harvesters to leave gleanings (עֹלֵלוֹת, olelot) for the poor and foreigners. Even harvesters practicing Torah justice would leave remnants. But Edom's judgment will be total—divine wrath leaves nothing. This principle appears throughout Scripture: God's judgments are thorough and complete (Jeremiah 49:9-10 applies this same imagery to Edom). The New Testament warns that final judgment will be comprehensive—separating wheat from chaff with nothing escaping (Matthew 3:12).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse emphasizes the unprecedented thoroughness of Edom's coming judgment. While human conquerors—whether thieves or armies—typically leave remnants (either from inability to take everything or from mercy/oversight), God's judgment on Edom would be exhaustive. Historically, this was fulfilled as Edom was gradually but completely displaced, absorbed, and obliterated. The Nabatean conquest left no independent Edomite nation; their forced conversion under the Maccabees erased their distinct identity; Rome's destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) eliminated even their Idumean remnant. Archaeological evidence shows Edomite sites systematically abandoned and never reoccupied—silent testimony to judgment's totality.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the completeness of God's judgment on unrepentant sin contrast with human justice that often leaves loopholes or remnants?
  2. What does this verse teach about the certainty and thoroughness of divine judgment for those who persist in rebellion?
  3. How should the knowledge that God's judgments are comprehensive (leaving no escape) motivate evangelism and personal holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אִם1 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

גַּנָּבִ֤ים2 of 19

If thieves

H1590

a stealer

בָּ֣אוּ3 of 19

came

H935

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

לְךָ֙4 of 19
H0
אִם5 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

שׁ֣וֹדְדֵי6 of 19

to thee if robbers

H7703

properly, to be burly, i.e., (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage

לַ֔יְלָה7 of 19

by night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

אֵ֣יךְ8 of 19
H349

how? or how!; also where

נִדְמֵ֔יתָה9 of 19

how art thou cut off

H1820

to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy

הֲל֥וֹא10 of 19
H3808

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

יִגְנְב֖וּ11 of 19

would they not have stolen

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

דַּיָּ֑ם12 of 19

till they had enough

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

אִם13 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בֹּֽצְרִים֙14 of 19

if the grapegatherers

H1219

to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e., inaccessible by height or fortification)

בָּ֣אוּ15 of 19

came

H935

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

לָ֔ךְ16 of 19
H0
הֲל֖וֹא17 of 19
H3808

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

יַשְׁאִ֥ירוּ18 of 19

to thee would they not leave

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

עֹלֵלֽוֹת׃19 of 19

some grapes

H5955

only in plural gleanings; by extension gleaning-time


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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study