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Obadiah

Obadiah front

Introduction to Obadiah

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the Book of Obadiah
  1. Yahweh will judge Edom (1:1-16)
  2. Yahweh will destroy Edom (1:1–9)
  3. Why Yahweh will destroy Edom (1:10–14)
  4. Yahweh will judge the nations (1:15–16)
  5. Yahweh will deliver his people (1:17–21)
What is the Book of Obadiah about?

After Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, the Edomites captured fleeing Jews. Then they gave these Jews over to Babylon. The Book of Obadiah is about Yahweh judging the Edomites for harming his people. This book would be comforting to the exiled people of Judah.

How should the title of this book be translated?

This book is traditionally titled “The Book of Obadiah” or just “Obadiah.” Translators may decide to use a clearer title such as “The Sayings of Obadiah.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Who wrote the Book of Obadiah?

The prophet Obadiah probably wrote this book. We know nothing more about Obadiah. His name in Hebrew means “Servant of Yahweh.”

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

What was Edom’s relationship to Israel?

Obadiah referred to Edom as Israel’s brother. This is because the Edomites descended from Esau, and the Israelites descended from Jacob. Jacob and Esau were brothers. This made Edom betraying Israel much worse.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

How do I translate the concept of “pride”?

The Book of Obadiah speaks of the pride of Edom. This meant that the Edomites thought their enemies or Yahweh could not defeat them. (See: proud, pride, prideful)

Obadiah 1

Obadiah 1:1

חֲז֖וֹן עֹֽבַדְיָ֑ה

This is the title of the book. Here “vision” is used in the general sense of a message from Yahweh, rather than to indicate how Obadiah received the message. Alternate translation: “The message of Obadiah” or “The prophesy of Obadiah”

כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨⁠י יְהוִ֜ה לֶ⁠אֱד֗וֹם

This tells the reader that the entire book is a message about Edom.

יְהוִ֜ה

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

וְ⁠צִיר֙…שֻׁלָּ֔ח

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has sent an ambassador” (See: Active or Passive)

ק֛וּמוּ

“Stand up.” This phrase is used to tell people to get ready.

וְ⁠נָק֥וּמָה עָלֶי⁠הָ

Here “her” refers to Edom. This is a metonym for the people of Edom, so it could also be translated as “them.” (See: Metonymy)

Obadiah 1:2

הִנֵּ֥ה…נְתַתִּ֖י⁠ךָ

Beginning in verse 2, Obadiah records the words that Yahweh speaks directly to Edom.

הִנֵּ֥ה

This alerts the reader to pay special attention to what follows. Alternate translation: “Look” or “Pay attention to what I am about to tell you”

קָטֹ֛ן נְתַתִּ֖י⁠ךָ בַּ⁠גּוֹיִ֑ם בָּז֥וּי אַתָּ֖ה מְאֹֽ

These two phrases mean similar things and are used to emphasize that Edom will lose its important status. (See: Parallelism)

קָטֹ֛ן נְתַתִּ֖י⁠ךָ בַּ⁠גּוֹיִ֑ם

Something that is insignificant is spoken of as if it is of small size, and can easily be overlooked. Alternate translation: “I will make you insignificant among the nations” (See: Metaphor)

בָּז֥וּי אַתָּ֖ה מְאֹֽד

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people of other nations will hate you” (See: Active or Passive)

Obadiah 1:3

Obadiah’s vision concerning Edom continues.

זְד֤וֹן לִבְּ⁠ךָ֙ הִשִּׁיאֶ֔⁠ךָ

The “heart” was associated with emotions. The Edomites’ pride caused them to be deceived about their security. Alternate translation: “Your pride has deceived you” or “Your pride causes you think you are safe” (See: Metonymy)

בְ⁠חַגְוֵי־סֶּ֖לַע

“in the cracks in the rock.” This here has the sense of a place that is protected because it is surrounded by rocks.

מְר֣וֹם שִׁבְתּ֑⁠וֹ

“in your home that was built in a high place”

אֹמֵ֣ר בְּ⁠לִבּ֔⁠וֹ

Here “in your heart” is an idiom that means “to yourself.” Alternate translation: “say to yourselves” or “think” (See: Idiom)

מִ֥י יוֹרִדֵ֖⁠נִי אָֽרֶץ

This question expresses that the Edomites were proud and felt safe. Alternate translation: “No one can bring me down to the ground.” or “I am safe from all attackers.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Obadiah 1:4

אִם־תַּגְבִּ֣יהַּ כַּ⁠נֶּ֔שֶׁר וְ⁠אִם־בֵּ֥ין כּֽוֹכָבִ֖ים שִׂ֣ים קִנֶּ֑⁠ךָ

Both of these exaggerations say that Edom is built in a very high place by saying it is built much higher than possible. Alternate translation: “And I tell you that even if you had wings and could fly higher than eagles fly, and if you could make your homes among the stars” (See: Hyperbole and Parallelism)

מִ⁠שָּׁ֥ם אוֹרִֽידְ⁠ךָ֖

Pride is associated with height while humility is associated with being low. To “bring down” is an idiom that means to humble someone. Alternate translation: “I will humble you” (See: Idiom)

Obadiah 1:5

Yahweh continues giving Obadiah his message to Edom.

אִם־גַּנָּבִ֤ים בָּאֽוּ־לְ⁠ךָ֙…הֲ⁠ל֥וֹא יִגְנְב֖וּ דַּיָּ֑⁠ם

This question is used to imply that Yahweh’s punishment of Edom would be worse than what thieves would do when they steal. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “If thieves came to you…they would only steal as much as they needed, but I will take everything from you!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

אִם־גַּנָּבִ֤ים בָּאֽוּ־לְ⁠ךָ֙ אִם־שׁ֣וֹדְדֵי לַ֔יְלָה

These two phrases mean the same thing and are used to emphasize people who steal. They can be combined. Alternate translation: “When thieves break into someone’s house during the night” (See: Hendiadys)

אִם־שׁ֣וֹדְדֵי לַ֔יְלָה

“or if robbers came during the night”

שׁ֣וֹדְדֵי

people who steal things from other people

אֵ֣יךְ נִדְמֵ֔יתָה

Yahweh adds this phrase in the middle of another sentence to express that the punishment of Edom is shocking. Alternate translation: “you are completely destroyed!”

אִם־בֹּֽצְרִים֙ בָּ֣אוּ לָ֔⁠ךְ הֲ⁠ל֖וֹא יַשְׁאִ֥ירוּ עֹלֵלֽוֹת

This question is used to imply that Yahweh’s punishment of Edom would be more thorough than what grape gatherers would do when they harvest grapes. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “If grape gatherers came to you, they would leave some grapes, but I will take everything from you!” (See: Rhetorical Question and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Obadiah 1:6

אֵ֚יךְ נֶחְפְּשׂ֣וּ עֵשָׂ֔ו נִבְע֖וּ מַצְפֻּנָֽי⁠ו

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Ah, enemies have stolen everything from Esau; they have found his hidden treasure” (See: Active or Passive)

עֵשָׂ֔ו

The people of Edom were the descendants of Esau. Therefore, in this book “Edom” and “Esau” refer to the same group of people.

נֶחְפְּשׂ֣וּ

This means the enemies have search through Esau’s things, taken everything valuable, and left everything else in a mess or damaged.

Obadiah 1:7

Yahweh continues giving Obadiah his message to Edom.

כֹּ֚ל אַנְשֵׁ֣י בְרִיתֶ֔⁠ךָ…אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁלֹמֶ֑⁠ךָ לַחְמְ⁠ךָ֗

All three of these phrases refer to Edom’s allies.

בְרִיתֶ֔⁠ךָ

The word “your” refers to the nation of Edom.

עַֽד־הַ⁠גְּב֣וּל שִׁלְּח֗וּ⁠ךָ

“will send you out of their land.” The people of Edom will try to take refuge in the land of their allies, but their allies will not let the people of Edom stay in their land.

אֵ֥ין תְּבוּנָ֖ה בּֽ⁠וֹ

Possible meanings are 1) the allies say this about Edom. Alternate translation: “They say, ‘Edom does not understand anything.’” or 2) this is a statement about the betrayal of the allies. Alternate translation: “No one can understand why they did this.”

Obadiah 1:8

הֲ⁠ל֛וֹא בַּ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠ה֖וּא נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה וְ⁠הַאֲבַדְתִּ֤י חֲכָמִים֙ מֵֽ⁠אֱד֔וֹם וּ⁠תְבוּנָ֖ה מֵ⁠הַ֥ר עֵשָֽׂו

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize the certainty of the destruction of Edom. Alternate translation: “‘On that day,’ says Yahweh, ‘I surely will destroy…mountain of Esau.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

מֵ⁠הַ֥ר עֵשָֽׂו

Most of the land of Esau was mountains, so this is one way of referring to the land of Edom.

Obadiah 1:9

וְ⁠חַתּ֥וּ גִבּוֹרֶ֖י⁠ךָ

“Your strong warriors will be afraid”

תֵּימָ֑ן

This is the name of a region in the land of Edom. (See: How to Translate Names)

לְמַ֧עַן יִכָּֽרֶת־אִ֛ישׁ מֵ⁠הַ֥ר עֵשָׂ֖ו מִ⁠קָּֽטֶל

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that there will be no more people in the mountains of Esau because enemies killed them” or “so that they will slaughter every person in the mountain of Esau” (See: Active or Passive)

יִכָּֽרֶת

“be destroyed”

Obadiah 1:10

Yahweh continues giving Obadiah his message to Edom.

אָחִ֥י⁠ךָ יַעֲקֹ֖ב

Here “Jacob” represents his descendants. Because Jacob was the brother of Esau, the people of Edom are spoken of as if they were the brothers of the descendants of Jacob. Alternate translation: “your relatives who are the descendants of Jacob” (See: Metonymy)

תְּכַסְּ⁠ךָ֣ בוּשָׁ֑ה

To be covered with something is an idiom for fully experiencing it. Alternate translation: “you will be completely ashamed” (See: Idiom)

וְ⁠נִכְרַ֖תָּ לְ⁠עוֹלָֽם

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “will never exist again” (See: Active or Passive)

Obadiah 1:11

עֲמָֽדְ⁠ךָ֣ מִ⁠נֶּ֔גֶד

“watched and did nothing to help”

זָרִ֖ים

people from other nations

חֵיל֑⁠

The word “his” refers to “Jacob,” which is another way of referring to the people of Israel.

וְ⁠עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ יַדּ֣וּ גוֹרָ֔ל

This phrase means “they cast lots to decide who would get the valuable things that they took from Jerusalem.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

גַּם־אַתָּ֖ה כְּ⁠אַחַ֥ד מֵ⁠הֶֽם

“it was as though you were one of these strangers and foreigners.” This implies that they did not help the Israelites. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “you were like one of the enemies and did not help Israel” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Obadiah 1:12

Yahweh continues giving Obadiah his message to Edom. Verses 12-14 consist of a series of negative commands that Yahweh gives to tell the people of Edom how not to treat the Israelites.

וְ⁠אַל־תֵּ֤רֶא

“do not be happy because of” or “do not take pleasure in”

בְ⁠יוֹם־אָחִ֨י⁠ךָ֙

Here “your brother” refers to the people of Israel because Jacob and Esau were brothers.

בְּ⁠י֣וֹם נָכְר֔⁠וֹ

“the time at which bad things happen to him”

בְּ⁠י֣וֹם

Each of the several occurrences of “day” refer to the time when Babylon attacked and destroyed Jerusalem.

בְּ⁠י֣וֹם אָבְדָ֑⁠ם

“at the time when their enemies destroy them”

בְּ⁠י֥וֹם צָרָֽה

“at the time when they suffer”

Obadiah 1:13

אֵידָ֔⁠ם…בְּ⁠רָעָת֖⁠וֹ

These are all different translations of the same word. If your language has one word that can translate all three of these ideas, you could use it here.

בְּ⁠רָעָת֖⁠וֹ

“because of the bad things that happen to them”

וְ⁠אַל־תִּשְׁלַ֥חְנָה בְ⁠חֵיל֖⁠וֹ

“do not take their wealth” “or “do not steal their wealth”

Obadiah 1:14

הַ⁠פֶּ֔רֶק

a place where two roads come together

לְ⁠הַכְרִ֖ית אֶת־פְּלִיטָ֑י⁠ו

“to kill the people of Israel who are trying to escape” or “to catch those who were trying to escape”

וְ⁠אַל־תַּסְגֵּ֥ר שְׂרִידָ֖י⁠ו

“do not capture those who are still alive and give them to their enemies”

Obadiah 1:15

Yahweh concludes his message to Edom in verse 15. In verses 16-21, Yahweh speaks through Obadiah to tell the people of Judah that they will possess the land of Edom.

כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב יוֹם־יְהוָ֖ה עַל־כָּל־הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֑ם כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֨יתָ֙ יֵעָ֣שֶׂה לָּ֔⁠ךְ גְּמֻלְ⁠ךָ֖ יָשׁ֥וּב בְּ⁠רֹאשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ

Bible experts are not certain whether verse 15 goes with verse 14 as the end of the previous section, or goes with verse 16 as the beginning of the new section.

כִּֽי־קָר֥וֹב יוֹם־יְהוָ֖ה עַל־כָּל־הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֑ם

“Soon the time will come when Yahweh will show all the nations that he is Lord”

כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֨יתָ֙ יֵעָ֣שֶׂה לָּ֔⁠ךְ

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will do to you the same things that you did to others” (See: Active or Passive)

גְּמֻלְ⁠ךָ֖ יָשׁ֥וּב בְּ⁠רֹאשֶֽׁ⁠ךָ

Here “return on your own head” means they will be punished for those things. Alternate translation: “you will suffer the consequences for the things you have done” (See: Idiom)

Obadiah 1:16

שְׁתִיתֶם֙

The word “you” is plural and probably refers to the people of Judah.

כִּ֗י כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שְׁתִיתֶם֙

The punishment that Judah received from the enemy nations is spoken of as if a bitter liquid that they drank. Alternate translation: “as you have drunk suffering” or “as I have punished you” (See: Metaphor)

הַ֣ר קָדְשִׁ֔⁠י

This was a way of referring to Jerusalem.

יִשְׁתּ֥וּ כָֽל־הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֖ם תָּמִ֑יד

Yahweh’s punishment of the other nations is spoken of as if it was a bitter liquid that he will cause them to drink continually. Alternate translation: “so all the nations will drink in suffering continually” or “so I will punish all of the nations without stopping” (See: Metaphor)

וְ⁠שָׁת֣וּ וְ⁠לָע֔וּ וְ⁠הָי֖וּ כְּ⁠ל֥וֹא הָיֽוּ

Yahweh continues the metaphor of drinking punishment. Here “swallow” expresses that they will fully experience the punishment, with the result that it will destroy them completely. Alternate translation: “They will drink in my punishment fully until they cease to exist” or “I will continue to punish them fully until I completely destroy them” (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Obadiah 1:17

In verses 16-21, Yahweh speaks through Obadiah to tell the people of Judah that they will possess the land of Edom.

פְלֵיטָ֖ה

These are the people of Jerusalem that are still alive after Yahweh has finished punishing the city. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “some of the Israelites who escape the punishment of Yahweh” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

וְ⁠הָ֣יָה קֹ֑דֶשׁ

The word “it” refers to “mount Zion.”

בֵּ֣ית יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Jacob’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Jacob” (See: Metonymy)

Obadiah 1:18

וְ⁠הָיָה֩ בֵית־יַעֲקֹ֨ב אֵ֜שׁ וּ⁠בֵ֧ית יוֹסֵ֣ף לֶהָבָ֗ה

Yahweh speaks of the houses of Jacob and Joseph as if they were fire because they will destroy Esau like a fire that quickly and completely burns up straw. (See: Metaphor)

לְ⁠קַ֔שׁ

The dry pieces of plants that are left in the ground after the stalks have been cut.

וְ⁠דָלְק֥וּ

The word “they” refers to the house of Jacob and the house of Joseph.

וְ⁠דָלְק֥וּ בָ⁠הֶ֖ם

The word “them” refers to the descendants of Esau, who are the nation of Edom.

וְ⁠לֹֽא־יִֽהְיֶ֤ה שָׂרִיד֙ לְ⁠בֵ֣ית עֵשָׂ֔ו

“Not one person of the house of Esau will survive”

לְ⁠בֵ֣ית עֵשָׂ֔ו

The word “house” is a metonym for the family that lives in the house. In this case it refers to Esau’s descendants. Alternate translation: “descendants of Esau” (See: Metonymy)

כִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה דִּבֵּֽר

This is an oath formula that means it will certainly happen because Yahweh said it.

Obadiah 1:19

In verses 16-21, Yahweh speaks through Obadiah to tell the people of Judah that they will possess the land of Edom.

וְ⁠יָרְשׁ֨וּ הַ⁠נֶּ֜גֶב אֶת־הַ֣ר עֵשָׂ֗ו

“The Israelites in the Negev will take the land of the Edomites”

וְ⁠הַ⁠שְּׁפֵלָה֙

This refers to Israelites in the western foothills of Israel who will capture the land of the Philistines in battle.

וְ⁠יָרְשׁוּ֙

Here “They” appears to refer to the people of Israel in general.

וּ⁠בִנְיָמִ֖ן

“the tribe of Benjamin will possess” or “the descendants of Benjamin will possess”

Obadiah 1:20

In verses 16-21, Yahweh speaks through Obadiah to tell the people of Judah that they will possess the land of Edom.

וְ⁠גָלֻ֣ת הַֽ⁠חֵל־הַ֠⁠זֶּה לִ⁠בְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל

Possible meanings are 1) this refers to the exiles taken to Assyria from the northern kingdom of Israel or 2) this refers to the people of Judah who lived outside of Jerusalem and were taken to exile in Babylon.

הַֽ⁠חֵל

a very large group of people

עַד־צָ֣רְפַ֔ת

Zarephath was a Phoenician city north of Israel on the coast of the Mediterranean between Tyre and Sidon. Alternate translation: “as far north as Zarephath” (See: How to Translate Names)

וְ⁠גָלֻ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם

This group is contrasted with either the Israelites from the northern kingdom, or with the people of Judah who lived outside of Jerusalem.

בִּ⁠סְפָרַ֑ד

This is the name of a place whose location is unknown. Some experts suggest it refers to the city of Sardis in the region of Lydia. (See: How to Translate Names)

Obadiah 1:21

וְ⁠עָל֤וּ מֽוֹשִׁעִים֙ בְּ⁠הַ֣ר צִיּ֔וֹן לִ⁠שְׁפֹּ֖ט אֶת־הַ֣ר עֵשָׂ֑ו

“Deliverers will go up to Jerusalem and rule over Edom from there”

מֽוֹשִׁעִים֙

Possible meanings are 1) this refers to various Israelite military leaders whom God will use to defeat the nation of Edom or 2) the text should read “Those who will be delivered” and refers to the returning Jewish exiles.

וְ⁠הָיְתָ֥ה לַֽ⁠יהוָ֖ה הַ⁠מְּלוּכָֽה

This phrase emphasizes that Yahweh will personally rule over the kingdom. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will be their king”