The Destruction of Edom
Obadiah 1:1–9FocusSecurity overturned
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening oracle challenges Edom's confidence and announces its humiliation.
interpretation Obadiah 1:12
KJVBut thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
Read it in context
Violence against a brother
Start reading at Obadiah 1:10 (Obadiah 1:10 to Obadiah 1:14).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The accusation identifies conduct toward Judah as the reason for the announced shame and judgment.
- 1:10 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
- 1:11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
- 1:12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
- 1:13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;
- 1:14 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Obadiah is the named prophet; his further personal identity is not securely known. Biblical references: Obadiah 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Obadiah 1:1–1:21): Edom is the target of the oracle because of its conduct toward Jacob's descendants. Judah and the restored people of Zion are also addressed within the prophecy. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah's community receives an oracle concerning Edom's hostility and the restoration of Zion. Edom is the principal target of the judgment, not necessarily the book's sole reading audience. Biblical references: Obadiah 1:1; Obadiah 1:10; Obadiah 1:17. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Violence against a brother. Read Obadiah 1:10 through Obadiah 1:14 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The accusation identifies conduct toward Judah as the reason for the announced shame and judgment. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book does not provide a royal date. Identifying the specific historical attack behind its accusation requires comparison and interpretation. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The oracle concerns Edom and its conduct toward Judah and Jerusalem, before widening toward the nations and Zion. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Violence against a brother (Obadiah 1:10 to Obadiah 1:14). Start reading at Obadiah 1:10. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The conclusion that the kingdom belongs to the LORD can be read alongside the New Testament's proclamation of God's kingdom through Christ. The book does not directly name Jesus. See Obadiah 1:21, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Reject pride and the exploitation of another community's disaster. The accusation calls attention not only to active harm but also to opportunistic conduct toward those in distress. interpretation
Cited: Obadiah 1:10, Obadiah 1:14, Obadiah 1:21, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:33
Who wrote it, and how we know
Obadiah
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens as the vision of Obadiah.
Obadiah 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Obadiah.
What is debatedNothing else is known of him, and the date is debated.
Related passages
- looked Ps 22:17 Ps 37:13 Ps 54:7 Ps 59:10 Ps 92:11 Mic 4:11 Mic 7:8-10 Matt 27:40-43
- rejoiced Job 31:29 Prov 17:5 Prov 24:17-18 Lam 4:21 Ezek 25:6-7 Ezek 35:15 Mic 7:8 Luke 19:41
- thou have 1 Sam 2:3 Ps 31:18
- spoken proudly Isa 37:24 Jas 3:5 2 Pet 2:18 Jude 1:16 Rev 13:5
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Obadiah 1
Obadiah announces judgment concerning Edom and considers Edom's conduct toward Judah. The opening does not give a date or identify a king, so assigning an exact occasion requires historical interpretation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Obadiah 1:1 Obadiah 1:10 Obadiah 1:21
FocusEdom's conduct toward Judah
Connection to the wholeThe accusation identifies conduct toward Judah as the reason for the announced shame and judgment.
interpretation The Deliverance of Israel
Obadiah 1:15–21FocusJudgment, deliverance, and the kingdom
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The scope widens to the nations and concludes with deliverance and the LORD's kingdom.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Obadiah
Obadiah announces judgment concerning Edom and considers Edom's conduct toward Judah. The opening does not give a date or identify a king, so assigning an exact occasion requires historical interpretation.
Obadiah 1:1 Obadiah 1:10 Obadiah 1:21
Edom's pride brought down
Obadiah 1:1–9FocusSecurity overturned
Connection to the wholeThe opening oracle challenges Edom's confidence and announces its humiliation.
interpretation FocusEdom's conduct toward Judah
Connection to the wholeThe accusation identifies conduct toward Judah as the reason for the announced shame and judgment.
interpretation The day of the LORD and Zion
Obadiah 1:15–21FocusJudgment, deliverance, and the kingdom
Connection to the wholeThe scope widens to the nations and concludes with deliverance and the LORD's kingdom.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.