Oracle Against Edom: Judgment and Israel’s Restoration
Obadiah 1:1-21
Oba.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חזון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עבדיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאדום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שמענו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- מאת: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וציר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קומו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- ונקומה: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 49:7-22 (allusion): A long oracle against Edom/Mount Seir that parallels Obadiah in theme and content: divine pronouncement of judgment for Edom’s violence and rejoicing over Judah’s disaster, with similar imagery of desolation.
- Ezekiel 35:1-15 (thematic): Ezekiel’s oracle against Mount Seir/Edom emphasizes hostility toward Jacob and announces God’s vengeance and desolation—closely aligned with Obadiah’s charge and call to rise against Edom.
- Amos 1:11-12 (verbal): Amos denounces Edom for pursuing his brother with the sword and enumerates punishment for transgression—echoing Obadiah’s indictment of Edom and the prophetic formula of divine retribution.
- Psalm 137:7-9 (thematic): A liturgical plea to remember and repay Edom for its role in Jerusalem’s downfall; shares the theme of retributive justice and remembrance that underlies Obadiah’s call to rise against Edom.
Alternative generated candidates
- The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the LORD God concerning Edom: A report we have heard from the LORD, and an envoy has been sent among the nations: 'Arise, let us rise up against her for battle.'
- The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: A report we have heard from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations—Arise, let us rise against her for war.
Oba.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הנה: PART
- קטן: ADJ,m,sg
- נתתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- בגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בזוי: ADJ,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- Ezek. 35:1-15 (allusion): Ezekiel condemns Mount Seir/Edom for rejoicing over Israel and promises to make it desolate and humiliated—close thematic and rhetorical parallels to Obadiah’s prediction that Edom will be made small and despised.
- Jer. 49:7-16 (thematic): Jeremiah’s oracle against Edom likewise depicts humiliation, loss of pride and destruction; many motifs (shame, exile, desolation) echo Obadiah’s brief taunt that Edom will be brought low.
- Joel 3:19 (Joel 4:19) (verbal): Joel explicitly states that ‘Edom shall be a desolate wilderness,’ a direct verbal/thematic parallel to Obadiah’s verdict that Edom will be small among the nations and despised.
- Ps. 137:7 (thematic): The psalmist remembers Edom’s taunt at Jerusalem’s fall (‘Raze it’), invoking retribution—connects to Obadiah’s charge that Edom’s contempt for Israel will be answered by humiliation.
- Lam. 4:21-22 (thematic): Lamentations addresses Edom’s rejoicing over Judah’s suffering and promises that Edom too will drink the cup of the Lord’s judgment, echoing Obadiah’s theme of reciprocal humiliation and disgrace.
Alternative generated candidates
- Behold, you are small among the nations; you are greatly despised.
- Behold, I have made you small among the nations; you are greatly despised.
Oba.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זדון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- השיאך: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- שכני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בחגוי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סלע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מרום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבתו: NOUN,m,sg,3,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יורדני: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 49:16 (verbal): Uses nearly identical wording about the ‘pride of your heart’ and dwelling ‘in the clefts of the rock’ addressing Edom—close verbal parallel or shared tradition.
- Obadiah 1:4 (structural): Immediate book-level counterpart: v.4 answers v.3’s boast—though you mount high, God will bring you down.
- Isaiah 14:13-15 (thematic): The king’s arrogant ‘you said in your heart’ language and claim to be untouchable echo the boastful pride and impending fall motif.
- Ezekiel 28:2-3 (thematic): Confronts a proud ruler whose heart is lifted up and who claims exaltation—similar theme of pride leading to judgment.
- Proverbs 16:18 (thematic): Wisdom proverb (‘pride goes before destruction’) encapsulates the moral principle behind Obadiah’s taunt: boastful pride precedes downfall.
Alternative generated candidates
- The arrogance of your heart has deceived you—you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose home is high—who says in his heart, 'Who will bring me down to the earth?'
- The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose abode is high; you say in your heart, Who will bring me down to the ground?
Oba.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- תגביה: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- כנשר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- בין: PREP
- כוכבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- קנך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- משם: PREP
- אורידך: VERB,hiphil,impf,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 14:13-15 (thematic): Both passages depict proud ascent toward the heavens ('I will ascend to heaven') followed by a divine decree of descent—pride met by humiliation and being brought down by the LORD.
- Ezekiel 28:17 (thematic): Addresses pride and haughtiness leading to downfall ('your heart was proud because of your beauty; I cast you to the ground'), paralleling Obadiah’s theme of exaltation and divine removal.
- Daniel 4:30-31 (structural): Nebuchadnezzar’s boastful exaltation and the immediate divine verdict that humbles him mirror Obadiah’s structure of human/arrogant uplift followed by God's punitive descent.
- Luke 10:18 (verbal): Jesus’ image 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven' echoes the motif of precipitous fall from the heights, similar to God bringing down one who dwells high above.
- Ezekiel 17:3-8 (allusion): Uses eagle imagery of taking lofty heights and establishing a nest (and the consequences for such actions), providing a close iconographic parallel to Obadiah’s eagle/nest metaphor.
Alternative generated candidates
- Though you soar like the eagle and set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.
- If you set your nest as high as the eagle, if you dwell among the stars, from there I will bring you down, says the LORD.
Oba.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- גנבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- שודדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איך: ADV
- נדמיתה: VERB,niphal,perf,2,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- יגנבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- דים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אם: CONJ
- בצרים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- ישאירו: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,pl
- עללות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Proverbs 6:30-31 (verbal): Uses the same logic about thieves and theft—if a thief steals to satisfy immediate need, he takes only enough—parallels Obadiah’s rhetorical contrast that invaders would not leave anything.
- Ruth 2:2-3 (thematic): Describes gleaners in the harvest fields and the practice of gleaning left for the needy, echoing Obadiah’s image of grape-gatherers who would normally leave some behind.
- Leviticus 19:9-10 (allusion): Legal injunction to leave the edges of the field and the gleanings for the poor and the sojourner; provides the covenantal/social expectation behind the rhetorical question about gleaners leaving something.
- Deuteronomy 24:20-21 (structural): Another law commanding that the foreigner, fatherless and widow may glean the leftover grain; structurally supports Obadiah’s contrast between customary mercy (leaving gleanings) and Edom’s total spoiling.
Alternative generated candidates
- If thieves came to you, would they not steal as much as they could? If marauders came by night, would they not plunder? If a host came against you, would they not lay waste your strongholds? There is no wisdom in you.
- If thieves came to you—would they not steal as much as they needed? If robbers by night—how you have been cut off! Would they not take the gleanings? If grape-gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings?
Oba.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- איך: ADV
- נחפשו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נבעו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- מצפניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m
Parallels
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): Uses the same imagery of God searching hearts and inner thoughts — “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins,” paralleling Obadiah’s claim that Esau’s hidden things are sought out.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD searching all hearts and understanding imaginations, echoing the motif of secret things being examined and exposed.
- Psalm 139:1-4 (verbal): David’s language about God having searched and known him, and knowing words before they are spoken, parallels the idea that hidden/recondite things are searched out.
- Luke 12:2-3 (thematic): Jesus’ saying that ‘there is nothing covered that will not be revealed…’ reflects the prophetic theme that hidden deeds and secrets will be uncovered — as Obadiah declares concerning Esau.
- Hebrews 4:12-13 (thematic): The New Testament assertion that nothing is hidden from God’s sight (all things are naked and open) echoes Obadiah’s claim that Esau’s concealed things have been searched out for judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- How Esau has been searched out—his hidden places have been sought!
- How have Esau's treasures been searched out—his hidden places examined!
Oba.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עד: PREP
- הגבול: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלחוך: PRON,2ms
- כל: DET
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בריתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- השיאוך: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שלמך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,2,m,sg
- לחמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUF,2,m,sg
- ישימו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מזור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחתיך: PREP,suff-2ms
- אין: PART,neg
- תבונה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 41:9 (verbal): Uses the same imagery of a close companion who 'ate my bread' and betrays/strikes at the one who showed him hospitality—verbal and thematic echo of Obadiah's 'those who ate your bread set a trap under you.'
- Psalm 55:12-14 (thematic): Speaks of betrayal by a trusted friend and companion who shared counsel and fellowship, paralleling Obadiah's complaint about allies and peace‑partners who prove treacherous.
- Lamentations 1:2 (allusion): Jerusalem laments that her friends 'have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies,' echoing Obadiah's theme of former allies turning against Israel.
- Amos 1:11 (thematic): Prophetic condemnation of Edom for pursuing its brother and showing no pity—parallels Obadiah's accusation against Edom for exploiting Israel's calamity and betraying kinship.
Alternative generated candidates
- All your allies have driven you to the border; those who ate your bread have set a snare beneath you. There is no understanding in you.
- All your allies have driven you to the border; the men in whom you trusted have prevailed over you. The men who ate your bread have set a snare under you; there is no understanding in them.
Oba.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוא: PART
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והאבדתי: VERB,hiph,perf,1,*,sg
- חכמים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- מאדום: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ותבונה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 49:7 (verbal): Explicitly asks whether wisdom remains in Teman/among the Edomites ("Is wisdom no more in Teman?"), closely paralleling Obadiah’s announcement that the wise and understanding of Edom (the mount of Esau/Teman) will be destroyed.
- Amos 1:11-12 (thematic): Pronounces judgment on Edom/Teman (fire on Teman, devouring Bozrah) for their violence—echoes Obadiah’s theme of divine retribution against Edom’s leaders and strongholds.
- Isaiah 34:5-6 (thematic): Foretells God’s sword and judgment against Edom/Idumea, paralleling Obadiah’s oracle of destruction directed against the mount of Esau and its wisdom.
- Ezekiel 35:15 (allusion): Declares Mount Seir (Esau) will be made desolate because of its hostility—reflects Obadiah’s focus on removing understanding and causing devastation on the mount of Esau.
Alternative generated candidates
- Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau?
- On that day, says the LORD, I will destroy the wise men from Edom and understanding from the hill country of Esau.
Oba.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחתו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- גבוריך: NOUN,m,pl,poss2ms
- תימן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- יכרת: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מקטל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 1:11-12 (verbal): Direct oracle against Teman/Bozrah: God will send fire on Teman and punish Edom for pursuing its brother—parallels Obadiah’s explicit judgment on Teman and the cutting off of Esau’s men.
- Jeremiah 49:7-10 (verbal): Prophecy against Edom/Teman describing Teman being bereaved of men and the cutting off of the house of Esau—closely mirrors Obadiah’s language of Teman’s warriors terrified and slain.
- Ezekiel 35:2-15 (thematic): Oracle against Mount Seir/Edom: threat of sword, desolation and loss of inheritance—echoes Obadiah’s theme of Mount Esau/Teman receiving divine vengeance and extermination.
- Isaiah 34:5-8 (thematic): Judgment oracle where the Lord’s sword comes against the nations (including Edom) and brings perpetual desolation—parallels the imagery of slaughter and cutting off in Obadiah 9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Your mighty men, O Teman, shall be terrified; every man of might shall be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
- Your warriors, O Teman, shall be terrified; every man shall be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
Oba.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מחמס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תכסך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בושה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונכרת: VERB,nip,impf,3,f,sg
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 1:11-12 (verbal): Pronounces judgment on Edom 'for pursuing his brother with the sword'—language closely parallels Obadiah's charge of violence against 'your brother Jacob.'
- Ezekiel 25:12-14 (allusion): God vows to stretch out his hand against Edom for taking vengeance on 'his brother'—echoes Obadiah's motif of retribution and being cut off for hostility toward Israel.
- Jeremiah 49:7-10 (thematic): Oracle against Edom links their persistent hatred and violence toward the 'house of Jacob' with humiliation and destruction, reflecting Obadiah's theme of shame and exile.
- Malachi 1:2-3 (thematic): Uses the Jacob/Esau contrast ('I loved Jacob, I hated Esau') as the theological background for divine judgment on Edom—parallels Obadiah's indictment of hostility toward Jacob.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob you shall be covered with shame, and you shall be cut off forever.
- Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob you shall be covered with shame, and you shall be cut off forever.
Oba.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- עמדך: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מנגד: ADV
- ביום: PREP
- שבות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- זרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חילו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr3ms
- ונכרים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- באו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שעריו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- גורל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- כאחד: PREP
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 49:7-22 (thematic): A prophetic oracle against Edom that accuses them of violence and rejoicing over Judah’s calamity—parallel theme of Edom’s complicity and gloating when Jerusalem fell.
- Ezekiel 35:11-15 (thematic): Ezekiel condemns Edom for perpetual hatred and for taking advantage of Israel’s disaster; shares the motif of Edom’s hostile stance and coming judgment.
- Psalm 137:7 (verbal): A cry to remember Edom for its attitude toward Jerusalem’s fall—explicitly recalls Edom’s rejoicing over Jerusalem, echoing Obadiah’s charge.
- Psalm 22:18 (verbal): Speaks of enemies casting lots (for garments/spoil); echoes Obadiah’s image of foreigners entering gates and casting lots for Jerusalem—shared ‘casting lots’ imagery.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the day you stood aloof—on the day strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem—you were like one of them.
- On the day you stood aloof—on the day foreigners carried off his forces and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem—you were as one of them.
Oba.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תרא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- אחיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- נכרו: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תשמח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לבני: PREP
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ביום: PREP
- אבדם: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תגדל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- פיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ביום: PREP
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Proverbs 24:17 (verbal): Directly forbids rejoicing over another's fall—'Do not rejoice when your enemy falls' parallels Obadiah's prohibition against gloating in a brother's day of misfortune.
- Proverbs 17:5 (verbal): Explicitly condemns gladness at calamity—'he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished' echoes the moral warning against rejoicing in another's distress.
- Psalm 35:26 (thematic): The psalmist asks that those who rejoice at his calamity be put to shame, reflecting the same concern with condemning rejoicing over another's suffering.
- Deuteronomy 32:35 (allusion): God's claim 'Vengeance is mine' provides the theological backdrop for prohibiting human gloating—leave judgment to God rather than exulting in others' misfortune.
- Romans 12:15 (thematic): New Testament ethic of empathy—'Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep' opposes rejoicing at others' calamities and promotes solidarity instead.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not gloat over your brother in the day of his calamity; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
- Do not gloat over the day of your brother, the day of his calamity; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction; do not boast in the day of distress.
Oba.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תבוא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ביום: PREP
- אידם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- תרא: VERB,qal,impf/juss,2,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- ברעתו: PREP
- ביום: PREP
- אידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תשלחנה: VERB,qal,impf/juss,2,m,pl
- בחילו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- אידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Proverbs 24:17 (verbal): Direct verbal/ethical parallel: both prohibit rejoicing when an enemy falls or is in calamity (‘Do not rejoice when your enemy falls…’), echoing Obadiah’s ‘do not gloat’.
- Psalm 35:26 (verbal): Similar language condemning those who exult over another’s suffering (‘Let them be ashamed and brought to dishonour who rejoice at my hurt’), paralleling Obadiah’s rebuke of gloating over Judah’s disaster.
- Psalm 137:7 (allusion): An explicit denunciation of Edom for its role in Jerusalem’s ruin (‘Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem…’), directly related to Obadiah’s charge that Edom rejoiced and plundered in Judah’s day of calamity.
- Ezekiel 35:12-15 (structural): Oracle against Mount Seir/Edom that condemns Edom’s rejoicing over Israel’s desolation and announces divine judgment—parallels Obadiah’s accusation and prophetic structure addressing Edom’s conduct.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not enter the gate of my people on the day of their calamity; do not gloat over their misfortune in the day of their calamity; do not hand over their survivors in the day of distress.
- Do not enter the gate of my people on their day of calamity; do not gloat over their misfortune on the day of their calamity; do not send out your hand against their wealth in the day of their calamity.
Oba.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תעמד: VERB,qal,juss,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הפרק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להכרית: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf,NA,NA,NA
- את: PRT,acc
- פליטיו: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תסגר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שרידיו: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ביום: PREP
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 23:15-16 (verbal): A direct legal prohibition against handing over a fugitive to his enemy/master; closely parallels Obadiah’s injunction not to ‘cut off his fugitives’ or ‘deliver his survivors.’
- Proverbs 24:17 (thematic): Moral admonition not to rejoice when an enemy falls or to take delight in another’s misfortune—echoes the rebuke against gloating and preying on Judah in her day of distress.
- Psalm 137:7 (thematic): A lament that recalls Edom’s taunting and rejoicing over Jerusalem’s fall (‘Raze it’), thematically parallel to Obadiah’s charge that Edom ambushed and pursued Judah’s fugitives.
- Ezekiel 35:12-15 (allusion): Prophetic denunciation of Mount Seir/Edom for rejoicing in Israel’s ruin and for violent acts in their time of distress; parallels Obadiah’s condemnation of pursuing and handing over survivors.
- Jeremiah 49:7-10 (allusion): Oracle against Edom accusing it of violence and predicting desolation because it pursued and rejoiced over Judah’s downfall—closely parallels Obadiah’s depiction of Edom’s conduct in the day of distress.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not seize his survivors in the day of trouble.
- Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off the fugitives; do not hand over to the enemy the survivors in the day of distress.
Oba.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- קרוב: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- גמלך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,f,sg
- ישוב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בראשך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
Parallels
- Joel 3:14-15 (thematic): Declares that 'the day of the LORD is near' over the nations and portrays a coming judgment—paralleling Obadiah's announcement that the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations.
- Zephaniah 1:14 (thematic): Proclaims the nearness and terror of 'the great day of the LORD,' echoing Obadiah's emphasis on imminent divine judgment.
- Isaiah 59:18 (verbal): Speaks of God repaying 'according to their deeds,' closely matching Obadiah's formula 'as you have done, it shall be done to you'—a verbal/thematic parallel about retributive justice.
- Galatians 6:7 (allusion): 'For whatever one sows, that will he also reap' echoes the principle that actions return to their actor, paralleling Obadiah's 'thy reward shall return upon thine own head.'
- Numbers 32:23 (thematic): 'Be sure your sin will find you out' reflects the motif of inescapable consequence for wrongdoing, similar to Obadiah's declaration that the nations will receive back what they have done.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return upon your own head.
- For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your repaying shall return upon your own head.
Oba.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כאשר: CONJ
- שתיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- תמיד: ADV
- ושתו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- ולעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כלוא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 25:15–29 (verbal): God gives a 'cup' of wine to be drunk by all the nations as judgment—explicitly uses the image of nations drinking and being made to reel or perish, closely matching Obadiah's 'they shall drink... and be as though they had not been.'
- Psalm 75:8 (verbal): Speaks of a cup in the hand of the LORD and declares that 'all the wicked of the earth' shall wring out and drink its dregs—parallel cup/drinking imagery for divine judgment on nations.
- Isaiah 51:17, 22 (verbal): Uses the cup-image of the Lord's fury given to peoples ('the cup of trembling'/'the dregs of the cup of my fury'), evoking the same motif of nations compelled to drink God's wrath.
- Zechariah 12:2–3 (thematic): Portrays Jerusalem (and God's cause) as a cup that makes all the surrounding peoples stagger—related thematic image of a nation causing other nations to 'drink' and be affected.
- Revelation 14:9–10 (allusion): Speaks of drinking 'the wine of the wrath of God' as the fate of those who worship the beast—New Testament use of the same cup/wine-as-judgment motif echoing prophetic texts like Obadiah.
Alternative generated candidates
- For as you drank on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and recoil, and be as though they had not been.
- For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow and be as if they had not been.
Oba.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובהר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- פליטה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וירשו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מורשיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 4:3 (verbal): Speaks of the remnant left in Zion who are holy—language of survivors in Zion and holiness parallels 'on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant' and 'it shall be holy.'
- Joel 3:17 (verbal): Declares God dwelling on Zion and Jerusalem being holy after judgment—echoes Obadiah’s link of Zion, holiness, and deliverance.
- Ezekiel 37:25 (thematic): Promises that Israel (the house of Jacob) will dwell in and possess the land given to Jacob—parallels the theme of restoration and possession of inheritances.
- Amos 9:14-15 (thematic): Forecasts restoration of Israel and permanent possession of the land; connects with Obadiah’s note that the house of Jacob will inherit their possessions.
- Micah 4:6-8 (allusion): Speaks of gathering the remnant to Zion and the LORD’s rule from Mount Zion—resonates with Obadiah’s vision of survivors on Zion and its sanctity.
Alternative generated candidates
- But on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant; it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.
- But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance; it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
Oba.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- יוסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לקש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודלקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואכלום: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שריד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Amos 1:11-12 (verbal): God will send fire upon Teman/Bozrah that will devour—language of fire devouring Edom parallels Obadiah’s image of Jacob/ Joseph as flame and Esau as stubble.
- Isaiah 34:5-6 (thematic): Oracle of divine judgment on Edom/Bozrah (the Lord’s sword and sacrifice) echoes the prophetic motif of total destruction of Edom found in Obadiah 1:18.
- Jeremiah 49:18 (thematic): Judgment against Edom with the declaration that there will be no one to save or a remnant—parallels Obadiah’s statement that there shall not be a survivor of the house of Esau.
- Ezekiel 35:15 (thematic): God’s pronouncement of desolation and pursuit of blood against Mount Seir/Edom reflects the theme of divine retribution and annihilation of Edom in Obadiah 1:18.
- Malachi 1:3 (verbal): ‘I have loved Jacob, and I have hated Esau’ expresses divine rejection of Esau and provides theological basis for the devastation of Edom attested in Obadiah 1:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- The house of Jacob shall be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor of the house of Esau; for the LORD has spoken.
- The house of Jacob shall be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall kindle them and devour them, and there shall be no survivor of the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken.
Oba.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירשו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- והשפלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וירשו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שדה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- שדה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמרון: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובנימן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הגלעד: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Amos 9:11-12 (thematic): Amos speaks of the restoration of Israel (the ‘booth of David’) and, in the LXX, includes possession of the remnant of Edom—paralleling Obadiah’s theme that Israel will take possession of Edom’s territory.
- Isaiah 11:14 (verbal): Isaiah predicts Israel’s victory over neighboring peoples and explicitly links territory to Benjamin and the regions around Edom/Moab—closely mirroring Obadiah’s listing of specific lands to be possessed.
- Zephaniah 2:4-7 (verbal): Zephaniah declares the Philistine cities will be laid waste and that ‘the remnant of the house of Judah shall possess them,’ directly corresponding to Obadiah’s statement that the lowland will possess the Philistines.
- Joel 3:19 (thematic): Joel proclaims Egypt and Edom will become desolation because of their violence—echoing Obadiah’s judgment on Edom and providing the background for Israel’s subsequent possession of their lands.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Negev shall possess the hill country of Esau, and the lowland shall possess the Philistines; they shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
- They shall possess the Negeb and the mount of Esau, and the lowland shall possess the territory of the Philistines; they shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
Oba.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- החל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כנענים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- צרפת: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- וגלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בספרד: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- ירשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הנגב: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 11:11-12 (thematic): Both speak of God’s future gathering of the dispersed house of Israel from foreign lands and the restoration/possession of their territory.
- Ezekiel 36:24-28 (thematic): Like Obadiah, Ezekiel promises God will collect Israel from among the nations, return them to their land, and restore possession and life there.
- Amos 9:14-15 (thematic): Speaks of restoring Israel’s captives, rebuilding and inhabiting cities, and securing the land—paralleling Obadiah’s promise that exiles will inherit southern cities.
- Zephaniah 3:20 (thematic): Announces God will gather the dispersed of Israel and bring them home to possess their inheritance—closely echoing Obadiah’s restoration motif.
- 1 Kings 17:9 (verbal): Mentions Zarephath (צִרְפַת), the same place-name used in Obadiah; provides a historical/geographical parallel to Obadiah’s reference to exiles reaching Zarephath.
Alternative generated candidates
- The exiles of the people of Israel who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the Negev.
- The exiles of this host of the people of Israel who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the Negeb.
Oba.1.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מושעים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- לשפט: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- המלוכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 34:5-8 (thematic): Isaiah pronounces God’s day of vengeance on Edom/Seir—divine judgment on the land of Esau parallels Obadiah’s judgment of ‘the mountain of Esau.’
- Ezekiel 35:15 (verbal): Ezekiel’s oracle against Mount Seir (Edom) promises punishment for hostility against Israel, closely corresponding to Obadiah’s condemnation of the mountain of Esau.
- Zechariah 14:9 (thematic): Zechariah’s proclamation that ‘the LORD shall be king over all the earth’ echoes Obadiah’s closing claim that ‘the kingdom shall be the LORD’s.’
- Joel 3:16-21 (structural): Joel depicts the LORD’s presence in Zion, judgment on the nations in the valley of decision, and the restoration of Zion—paralleling the image of deliverers ascending Zion to judge Esau and the establishment of Yahweh’s rule.
Alternative generated candidates
- And those who save shall ascend Mount Zion to govern the mountain of Esau, and the kingdom shall belong to the LORD.
- And the deliverers shall go up on Mount Zion to govern the mount of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.
The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: A report has come to the LORD—an envoy has been sent among the nations: 'Arise, let us rise against her for battle.'
Behold, you have been small among the nations; you are greatly despised.
The pride of your heart has deceived you—you who live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is high—who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?'
Though you soar like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.
If thieves came to you—if robbers by night—how you are cut off! Would they not steal only until they were satisfied? If raiders came, would they not carry off spoil?
How your treasures were searched out! How your hidden hoards were sought!
All your allies have driven you to the border; those who ate your bread have set a trap beneath you; there is no understanding in them.
Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men from Edom and understanding from the hill country of Esau?
Your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed; every man of the hill country of Esau shall be cut off through slaughter.
Because of violence against your brother Jacob you shall be covered with shame; you shall be cut off forever.
On the day that you stood aloof—on the day strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem—do you not remember? You were as one of them.
Do not gloat over the day of your brother, in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over their misfortune in the day of their calamity; do not loot their wealth in the day of their calamity.
Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off the fugitives; do not hand over the survivors in the day of distress.
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return upon your own head.
For as you drank on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and gulp down and be as though they had never been. But on Mount Zion there shall be a remnant; it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
The house of Jacob shall be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken.
Those of the Negev shall possess the mountain of Esau, and those of the lowland shall possess the fields of the Philistines; they shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.
The exiles of this host, the people of Israel who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negev.
Then those who deliver shall go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountain of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.