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 1:15
KJVFor 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.
Read it in context
The Deliverance of Israel
Start reading at Obadiah 1:15 (Obadiah 1:15 to Obadiah 1:21).
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.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The scope widens to the nations and concludes with deliverance and the LORD's kingdom.
- 1:15 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.
- 1:16 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.
- 1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
- 1:18 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.
- 1:19 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.
- 1:20 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.
- 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.
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? The Deliverance of Israel. Read Obadiah 1:15 through Obadiah 1:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The scope widens to the nations and concludes with deliverance and the LORD's kingdom. 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 The Deliverance of Israel (Obadiah 1:15 to Obadiah 1:21). Start reading at Obadiah 1:15. 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 1:15, 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
- the day Ps 110:5-6 Jer 9:25-26 Jer 25:15-29 Jer 49:12 Lam 4:21-22 Ezek 30:3 Joel 3:11-14 Mic 5:15
- as Judg 1:7 Ps 137:8 Ezek 35:15 Joel 3:7-8 Hab 2:8 Matt 7:2 Jas 2:13
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
Violence against a brother
Obadiah 1:10–14FocusEdom's conduct toward Judah
Connection to the wholeThe accusation identifies conduct toward Judah as the reason for the announced shame and judgment.
interpretation FocusJudgment, 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 Violence against a brother
Obadiah 1:10–14FocusEdom's conduct toward Judah
Connection to the wholeThe accusation identifies conduct toward Judah as the reason for the announced shame and judgment.
interpretation FocusJudgment, 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.