Bible Commentary


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1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus said the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise you, and let us rise up against her in battle.

2 Behold, I have made you small among the heathen: you are greatly despised.

3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you that dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that said in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

4 Though you exalt yourself as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, there will I bring you down, said the LORD.

5 If thieves came to you, if robbers by night, (how are you cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some grapes?

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

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

8 Shall I not in that day, said the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?

9 And your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.

10 For your violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off for ever.

11 In the day that you stood on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots on Jerusalem, even you were as one of them.

12 But you should not have looked on the day of your brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither should you have spoken proudly in the day of distress.

13 You should not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yes, you should 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;

14 Neither should you have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither should you have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.

15 For the day of the LORD is near on all the heathen: as you have done, it shall be done to you: your reward shall return on your own head.

16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yes, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.

17 But on mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

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 has 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 to Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

21 And saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.


concerning: Psa 137:7, Isa 21:11, Isa 34:1-17, Isa 63:1-6, Jer 9:25, Jer 9:26, Jer 25:17, Jer 25:21, Jer 49:17-22, Lam 4:21, Lam 4:22, Eze 25:12-14, Eze 35:3-15, Joe 3:19, Amo 1:11, Amo 1:12, Mal 1:3, Mal 1:4

We: Jer 49:14, Jer 49:15, Jer 51:46, Mat 24:6, Mar 13:7

and an: Isa 18:2, Isa 18:3, Isa 30:4

Arise: Jer 6:4, Jer 6:5, Jer 50:9-15, Jer 51:27, Jer 51:28, Mic 2:13

Reciprocal: Gen 25:23 - the elder 2Ki 19:7 - hear a rumour Isa 34:5 - upon Idumea Jer 49:7 - Edom Eze 25:8 - Seir Eze 32:29 - Edom Eze 35:2 - and prophesy Eze 36:5 - against all

Num 24:18, 1Sa 2:7, 1Sa 2:8, Job 34:25-29, Psa 107:39, Psa 107:40, Isa 23:9, Eze 29:15, Mic 7:10, Luk 1:51, Luk 1:52

Reciprocal: Jer 49:15 - General Eze 32:29 - Edom

pride: Pro 16:18, Pro 18:12, Pro 29:23, Isa 10:14-16, Isa 16:6, Jer 48:29, Jer 48:30, Jer 49:16, Mal 1:4

thou: 2Ki 14:7, 2Ch 25:12

saith: Isa 14:13-15, Isa 47:7, Isa 47:8, Jer 49:4, Rev 18:7, Rev 18:8

Reciprocal: 2Sa 17:12 - we will light 2Sa 17:28 - earthen vessels 1Ki 20:32 - Thy servant 2Ch 25:23 - took Amaziah Est 6:6 - To whom Job 20:6 - his excellency Job 40:11 - behold Psa 101:5 - an high Psa 108:10 - who will lead Son 2:14 - clefts Isa 42:11 - let the inhabitants Isa 47:1 - down Jer 21:13 - Who Jer 37:9 - Deceive Jer 48:28 - leave Jer 49:8 - dwell Jer 51:53 - mount Eze 16:49 - pride Eze 31:10 - and his Zep 2:10 - for Mar 7:22 - pride Rom 7:11 - deceived Gal 6:7 - not Eph 4:22 - deceitful Tit 3:3 - deceived Heb 3:13 - the deceitfulness Jas 1:22 - deceiving

exalt: Job 20:6, Job 20:7, Job 39:27, Job 39:28, Jer 49:16, Hab 2:9

among: Isa 14:12-15, Jer 51:53, Amo 9:2

Reciprocal: 1Ki 20:32 - Thy servant Job 29:18 - I shall die Job 40:11 - behold Psa 101:5 - an high Psa 104:17 - the birds Psa 108:10 - who will lead Psa 139:8 - I ascend Pro 16:18 - General Isa 16:6 - have Isa 47:1 - down Jer 21:13 - Who Jer 22:23 - makest Jer 48:28 - leave Jer 49:4 - Who Jer 49:8 - dwell Mat 11:23 - which art Mar 7:22 - pride Luk 10:15 - which Rev 4:7 - a flying

if robbers: Jer 49:9

how: 2Sa 1:19, Isa 14:12, Jer 50:23, Lam 1:1, Zep 2:15, Rev 18:10

if the: Deu 24:21, Isa 17:6, Isa 24:13, Mic 7:1

some grapes: or, gleanings

Reciprocal: Lev 19:10 - glean Jdg 6:4 - left no Jer 6:9 - They shall Jer 49:4 - Who Eze 26:17 - How art

are the: Psa 139:1, Isa 10:13, Isa 10:14, Isa 45:3, Jer 49:10, Jer 50:37, Mat 6:19, Mat 6:20

how are his: Dan 2:22

Reciprocal: Jer 6:9 - They shall Jer 49:9 - grapegatherers Zep 1:12 - that I

the men of: The Chaldeans, whose agents they became in persecuting the Jews. Psa 55:12, Psa 55:13, Jer 4:30, Jer 30:14, Lam 1:19, Eze 23:22-25, Rev 17:12-17

men that were at peace with thee: Heb. men of thy peace, Jer 20:10, Jer 38:22, *marg.

they that eat thy bread: Heb. the men of thy bread, Psa 41:9, Joh 13:18

there is: Isa 19:11-14, Isa 27:11, Jer 49:7, Hos 13:13

in him: or, of it

Reciprocal: Mic 7:6 - a man’s

even: Job 5:12-14, Psa 33:10, Isa 19:3, Isa 19:13, Isa 19:14, Isa 29:14, 1Co 3:19, 1Co 3:20

Reciprocal: Isa 2:11 - in that day Jer 49:7 - Is wisdom

thy: Psa 76:5, Psa 76:6, Isa 19:16, Isa 19:17, Jer 49:22, Jer 50:36, Jer 50:37, Amo 2:16, Nah 3:13

O: Gen 36:11, Job 2:11, Jer 49:7, Jer 49:20, Eze 25:13, Amo 1:12

every: Isa 34:5-8, Isa 63:1-3

mount: Oba 1:21, Deu 2:5

Reciprocal: Gen 36:15 - duke Teman 1Ch 1:36 - Teman 1Ch 1:45 - Temanites Jer 49:10 - his seed Oba 1:18 - and there Hab 3:3 - from

violence: Gen 27:11, Gen 27:41, Num 20:14-21, Psa 83:5-9, Psa 137:7, Lam 4:21, Eze 25:12, Eze 35:5, Eze 35:6, Eze 35:12-15, Amo 1:11

shame: Psa 69:7, Psa 89:45, Psa 109:29, Psa 132:18, Jer 3:25, Jer 51:51, Eze 7:18, Mic 7:10

and: Jer 49:13, Jer 49:17-20, Eze 25:13, Eze 25:14, Eze 35:6, Eze 35:7, Eze 35:15, Mal 1:3, Mal 1:4

Reciprocal: Num 20:20 - And Edom Deu 2:4 - Ye are to pass Deu 23:7 - he is thy Deu 30:7 - General 2Ch 28:9 - because the Lord God 2Ch 28:17 - the Edomites Ezr 6:12 - destroy Psa 18:18 - me in Isa 33:1 - when thou shalt cease Isa 47:6 - thou didst Jer 10:25 - eaten Jer 12:14 - that Eze 35:2 - and prophesy Joe 3:2 - will plead Joe 3:19 - Edom Amo 1:12 - Teman Oba 1:18 - and there Zec 1:15 - and Zec 2:8 - the nations Mat 5:22 - his brother

in the day that the: 2Ki 24:10-16, 2Ki 25:11, Jer 52:28-30

captive his forces: or, his substance

cast: Joe 3:3, Nah 3:10

even: Psa 50:18, Psa 137:7

Reciprocal: Job 18:20 - his day Pro 17:5 - and Jer 40:11 - all the Jews Eze 24:6 - let no Eze 35:5 - in the Amo 1:6 - to Edom

thou: etc. or, do not behold, etc

looked: Psa 22:17, Psa 37:13, Psa 54:7, Psa 59:10, Psa 92:11, Mic 4:11, Mic 7:8-10, Mat 27:40-43

rejoiced: Job 31:29, Pro 17:5, Pro 24:17, Pro 24:18, Lam 4:21, Eze 25:6, Eze 25:7, Eze 35:15, Mic 7:8, Luk 19:41

thou have: 1Sa 2:3, Psa 31:18

spoken proudly: Heb. magnified thy mouth, Isa 37:24, Jas 3:5, 2Pe 2:18, Jud 1:16, Rev 13:5

Reciprocal: Gen 9:22 - told 1Ki 21:16 - Ahab rose up Pro 27:10 - neither Isa 14:29 - Rejoice Isa 16:3 - hide Jer 48:27 - was not Jer 49:5 - none Jer 50:11 - ye were Lam 1:21 - they are Lam 2:16 - we have seen Eze 36:5 - with the Oba 1:14 - in the day Mat 5:22 - his brother Rev 11:10 - rejoice

looked: 2Sa 16:12, Psa 22:17, Zec 1:15

substance: or, forces

Reciprocal: Gen 9:22 - told 2Ch 28:17 - the Edomites Jer 46:21 - the day Jer 48:27 - was not Lam 1:21 - they are Eze 35:10 - thou hast

neither shouldest: Amo 1:6, Amo 1:9

delivered up: or, shut up, Psa 31:8

in the day: Oba 1:12, Gen 35:3, Isa 37:3, Jer 30:7

Reciprocal: Deu 23:15 - General 2Ch 28:17 - the Edomites

the day: Psa 110:5, Psa 110:6, Jer 9:25, Jer 9:26, Jer 25:15-29, Jer 49:12, Lam 4:21, Lam 4:22, Eze 30:3, Joe 3:11-14, Mic 5:15, Zec 14:14-18

as: Jdg 1:7, Psa 137:8, Eze 35:15, Joe 3:7, Joe 3:8, Hab 2:8, Mat 7:2, Jas 2:13

Reciprocal: Eze 35:6 - I will Joe 2:1 - for the

as ye: Psa 75:8, Psa 75:9, Isa 49:25, Isa 49:26, Isa 51:22, Isa 51:23, Jer 25:15, Jer 25:16, Jer 25:27-29, Jer 49:12, Joe 3:17, 1Pe 4:17

swallow down: or, sup up, Isa 42:14, *marg. Hab 1:9

and they shall be: Isa 8:9, Isa 8:10, Isa 29:7, Isa 29:8

Reciprocal: Pro 17:5 - and Isa 47:6 - thou didst Jer 25:29 - I begin Eze 20:40 - in mine Amo 9:8 - saving Oba 1:18 - and there Zec 12:1 - for

upon: Isa 46:13, Joe 2:32

shall be: Jer 46:28, Amo 9:8

deliverance: or, they that escape, Jer 44:14, Jer 44:28, Eze 7:16

there shall be holiness: or, it shall be holy, Isa 1:27, Isa 4:3, Isa 4:4, Isa 60:21, Joe 3:17, Zec 8:3, Zec 14:20, Zec 14:21, Rev 21:27

possess: Isa 14:1, Isa 14:2, Joe 3:19-21, Amo 9:11-15

Reciprocal: Gen 27:40 - serve Psa 48:1 - mountain Isa 4:2 - them that are escaped Isa 59:20 - the Redeemer Isa 65:9 - I will Jer 8:19 - the Lord Jer 23:6 - Judah Jer 31:23 - and mountain Jer 32:37 - I will gather Jer 50:19 - bring Eze 20:41 - I bring Eze 28:25 - When Eze 36:12 - they shall Eze 37:21 - General Dan 12:1 - thy people Hos 11:11 - and I Zec 8:8 - and they shall dwell Zec 8:12 - to possess Zec 12:1 - for Act 1:6 - restore

shall be: Isa 10:17, Isa 31:9, Mic 5:8, Zec 12:6

the house of Joseph: 2Sa 19:20, Eze 37:16, Eze 37:19, Amo 5:15, Amo 6:6

for stubble: Psa 83:6-15, Isa 5:24, Isa 47:14, Joe 2:5, Nah 1:10, 1Co 3:12

and there: Oba 1:9, Oba 1:10, Oba 1:16

Reciprocal: Exo 5:12 - stubble Jos 10:39 - he left none Psa 137:7 - the children Isa 11:14 - them of the east Jer 25:21 - Edom Jer 49:13 - a desolation Amo 9:12 - possess Zec 10:6 - I will strengthen Zec 12:3 - in that Mal 1:3 - laid Mal 4:1 - and all the

the south: Num 24:18, Num 24:19, Jos 15:21, Jer 32:44, Amo 9:12, Mal 1:4, Mal 1:5

the plain: Jos 13:2, Jos 13:3, Jos 15:33, Jos 15:45, Jos 15:46, Jdg 1:18, Jdg 1:19, Isa 11:13, Isa 11:14, Eze 25:16, Amo 1:8, Zep 2:4-7, Zec 9:5-7

the fields of Ephraim: 2Ki 17:24, Ezr 4:2, Ezr 4:7-10, Ezr 4:17, Psa 69:35, Jer 31:4-6, Eze 36:6-12, Eze 36:28, Eze 37:21-25, Eze 47:13-21, Eze 48:1-9

Benjamin: Jos 13:25, Jos 13:31, Jos 18:21-28, 1Ch 5:26, Jer 49:1, Amo 1:13, Mic 7:14

Reciprocal: Jer 30:3 - that I Jer 31:5 - mountains Jer 33:12 - in all Jer 49:2 - shall Israel Jer 50:19 - Gilead Eze 36:11 - and I will settle Mic 5:8 - as a lion Zep 2:7 - the coast Mal 1:3 - laid

the captivity of this: Jer 3:18, Jer 33:26, Eze 34:12, Eze 34:13, Hos 1:10, Hos 1:11, Amo 9:14, Amo 9:15, Zec 10:6-10

Zarephath: 1Ki 17:9, 1Ki 17:10, Luk 4:26, Sarepta

which is in Sepharad, shall possess: or, shall possess that which is in Sepharad, they shall possess, Jer 13:19, Jer 32:44, Jer 33:13

Reciprocal: Jer 30:3 - that I Jer 33:12 - in all Zec 1:17 - My cities Zec 9:2 - Zidon Zec 10:10 - into

saviours: Jdg 2:16, Jdg 3:9, 2Ki 13:5, Isa 19:20, Dan 12:3, Joe 2:32, Mic 5:4-9, Zec 9:11-17, Zec 10:5-12, 1Ti 4:16, Jas 5:20

to judge: Psa 149:5-9, Dan 7:27, Luk 22:30, 1Co 6:2, 1Co 6:3, Rev 19:11-13, Rev 20:4

and the: Psa 2:6-9, Psa 22:28, Psa 102:15, Isa 9:6, Isa 9:7, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 7:14, Dan 7:27, Zec 14:9, Mat 6:10, Mat 6:13, Luk 1:32, Luk 1:33, Rev 11:15, Rev 19:6

Reciprocal: Neh 9:27 - saviours Psa 97:1 - Lord Psa 125:1 - be as mount Jer 23:6 - Judah Oba 1:9 - mount Mic 4:8 - the first Zec 1:20 - four Zec 9:13 - and raised Mat 11:3 - Art Act 26:6 - the promise