Obadiah 1
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Oba 1:1-9 1The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the LORD God concerning Edom—
We have heard a report from the LORD,
And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying,
“Arise and let us go against her for battle—
2Behold, I will make you small among the nations;
You are greatly despised.
3The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,
You who live in the clefts of the rock,
In the loftiness of your dwelling place,
Who say in your heart,
'Who will bring me down to earth?'
4Though you build high like the eagle,
Though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.
5If thieves came to you,
If robbers by night—
O how you will be ruined!—
Would they not steal only until they had enough?
If grape gatherers came to you,
Would they not leave some gleanings?
6O how Esau will be ransacked,
And his hidden treasures searched out!
7All the men allied with you
Will send you forth to the border,
And the men at peace with you
Will deceive you and overpower you.
They who eat your bread
Will set an ambush for you.
(There is no understanding in him.)
8Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD,
“Destroy wise men from Edom
And understanding from the mountain of Esau?
9Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman,
So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
Oba 1:1 NASB, NKJV,
NRSV, NJB “vision”
TEV “prophecy”
This refers to a divinely communicated message (sometimes in a trance state of sleep). These are not the thoughts of Obadiah but of God. This term is often associated with (1) “burden” or (2) “the word of YHWH came.”
The word “vision” (BDB 30:2 ) is related to the VERB “to see” (BDB 30:2 ). It can refer to
1. that which is seen (cf. Eze 12:27 ; Eze 13:16 ; Dan 8:2 ; Dan 8:15 ; Dan 9:21 )
2. that which is heard (cf. 1Sa 3:1 ; 1Ch 17:15 ; Hos 12:10 ; Hab 2:1 )
3. that which is written (cf. 2Ch 32:32 , Nah 1:1 ; Hab 2:2 ).
▣ “Obadiah” This is “the servant of” or “the worshiper of” YHWH (BDB 71:5 ). This can either be a title or a name. It is a very common name in the OT (cf. Introduction I. C.)
▣ “the LORD God” This is literally “Adonai YHWH.” These two words are usually translated “Lord God” (i.e., Gen 15:2 ; Gen 15:8 ; Exo 23:17 ; Exo 34:23 ; Deu 3:24 ; Deu 9:26 ; Jos 7:7 ; Jdg 6:22 ; Jdg 16:28 ). YHWH is used alone in the next line.
See Special Topic following.
SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/names_deity.html>
▣ “Edom” This term means “red.” There seems to be a play on (1) Jacob's red soup (cf. Gen 25:30 ), for which Esau sold his birthright or (2) the reddish rocks of Edom's high plateau. This same play on the word “red” (BDB 1:0 ) can be seen in Oba 1:13 , where the term “their calamity” (BDB 1:5 ) is used (cf. Eze 35:5 ). The kingdom of Edom is made up of the descendants of Esau whose name means (1) “red” (BDB 1:0 , cf. Gen 25:25 ) and (2) “hairy” (BDB 97:2 , cf. Gen 25:25 ).
▣ “We have heard” Many suppose that the prophet was from Judah because of this phrase. However, the Septuagint has “I heard” (cf. Jer 49:14-16 ). Oba 1:1-4 is obviously related to Jer 49:14-16 . It is assumed in this commentary that Obadiah is using Jeremiah (see Introduction, V. A).
▣ “envoy” This (BDB 85:1 ) is not the usual term “for messenger” (BDB 52:1 ). This is found in Isa 18:2 and is the exact term found in Jer 49:14 . The “envoy” is an official spokesman for YHWH (cf. TEV, NJB). YHWH is gathering the surrounding nations to attack Edom. In a sense this is “eye-for-eye” justice!
▣ “Arise and let us go against her for battle” The VERB “arise” (BDB 87:7 , KB 108:6 ) is a Qal IMPERATIVE. It is repeated in the phrase, “let us go,” which is a Qal COHORTATIVE of the same VERB. The IMPERATIVE is found in Jer 49:14 , but not the COHORTATIVE .
The prophecy deals with God's judgment of Edom because of her prideful, vengeful attack on her kinsmen, Judah. It seems that she is betrayed by her political alliances, as was Judah.
Oba 1:2 “I will make you small among the nations” “Small” (BDB 89:2 ) is from Jer 49:15 . It has the connotation of insignificance and weakness, the opposite of their self-estimation! The opposite connotation is found in Isa 60:22 (from “small” to thousands).
The VERB (BDB 67:8 , KB 73:3 , Qal PERFECT) is exactly what is found in Jer 49:15 . It is a PROPHETIC PERFECT (there are several in these opening verses). A future event (i.e., Edom's judgment) is described as if it had already occurred because the word of YHWH is sure!
▣ “You are greatly despised” The term “despised” (BDB 10:2 , KB 11:7 , Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE) also appears in Jer 49:15 . Obadiah adds the modifier “exceedingly” (BDB 54:7 ). This is a very common idiomatic way to intensify an idea. It is used in this way 29:8 times in the OT.
Edom's judgment seems to be related to three areas: (1) her pride, Oba 1:3-4 ; (2) her violence against her brother, Oba 1:10-14 ; and (3) her despising of YHWH, Oba 1:16 .
Oba 1:3 “The arrogance of your heart” This same root (BDB 26:7 and 26:8 ) is used in the Genesis account to relate to Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a boiling bowl of soup (i.e., Gen 25:29 ). This exact CONSTRUCT (BDB 26:8 and 52:4 ) is taken from Jer 49:16 .
▣ “deceived you” This VERB, “deceive” or “beguile” (BDB 67:4 , KB 72:8 , Hiphil PERFECT, cf. Oba 1:7 ) is also found in Jer 49:16 . It is the same VERBAL form found in Gen 3:13 ! Eve was seduced, but Edom seduced herself (shows the power and pervasiveness of Eve's rebellion).
▣ “You who live in the clefts of the rock” The word “rock” (BDB 70:0 I) is the term sela, which seems to relate metaphorically to a capital of Edom, Petra (BDB 70:1 II, cf. 2Ki 14:7 ). Edom was proud because of the geographical and topological security of her cities (i.e., located on a high plateau). Bozrah was the earlier capital of Edom (cf. Jer 49:22 ).
▣ “Who say in your heart,
'Who will bring me down to earth'“ Arrogance is often related to God's judgment (cf. Isaiah 1:4 and Ezekiel 2:8 ). Notice that in the Jer 49:16 parallel, it is YHWH who brings Edom to destruction! The same VERB (BDB 43:2 , KB 43:4 , Hiphil IMPERFECT) is used in Amo 9:2 .
Oba 1:4 “Though you set your nest among the stars” The first two lines of Oba 1:4 are in a synonymous parallel relationship. Edom was located on an easily defended high plateau. She thought no one could effectively attack her.
This line of poetry is a good example of hyperbole. Neither eagles nor men build nests/ homes among the stars. This is one of four parallel lines of poetry about Edom's false security based on her location (i.e., Oba 1:3 , lines 2,3; Oba 1:4 , lines 1,2).
Oba 1:5 “thieves. . .robbers. . .grape gatherers” These are used as metaphors of complete destruction and total loss (cf. Jer 49:9 ). There is no compassion!
Notice the violence described in Oba 1:5 :
1. thieves came, i.e., “attacked,” BDB 9:7 , KB 11:2 , Qal PERFECT (twice)
2. robbers, i.e., “deal violently with,” BDB 99:4 , KB 141:8 , Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE
3. you will be ruined, i.e., “cut off completely,” BDB 19:8 , KB 22:5 , Niphal PERFECT
4. steal, i.e., “steal everything,” BDB 17:0 , KB 19:8 , Qal IMPERFECT
5. grape gatherers, i.e., “cut off completely,” BDB 13:0 , KB 14:8 , Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE (i.e., Edom known for its vineyard)
6. would they not leave. . .i.e., “they would leave nothing,” BDB 98:3 , KB 137:5 , Hiphil IMPERFECT
Oba 1:6 “ransacked” Although this VERB (BDB 34:4 , KB 34:1 , Niphal PERFECT) does not occur in Jeremiah 4:9 , the concept surely does in Jer 49:10 !
There are two VERBS in this verse that basically mean “searched out”:
1. “ransacked,” (above)
2. “searched out,” BDB 12:6 , KB 14:1 , Niphal PERFECT
The cities of Edom will be pillaged and destroyed!
▣ “his hidden treasures” The term (BDB 86:1 ) occurs only here in the OT. Edom was a commercial center because of its copper mines, its rich soil, and its geographical location on a major trade route. This phrase may refer to its hidden, commercial storehouses (i.e., Diodorus Siculus).
Oba 1:7 “All the men allied with you” This verse seems to refer to the betrayal by political alliances who were supposedly friends. This is exactly what happened to Judah, at which Edom rejoiced. Now, this same betrayal turns to them (cf. Mat 7:2 , Gal 6:7 ).
▣ “ambush” This term (KB 56:5 ) occurs only here in the OT. There are two possible roots:
1. KB 56:5 I, sore, ulcer, boil, cf. Jer 30:15 2. KB 56:5 II, ambush, trap, snare
3. BDB 56:1 , to spread out (i.e., like a net)
This is a good example of how context must be the determiner of meaning. It is possible there is a manuscript problem, but often it is a lack of lexical information that makes the translation of ancient Hebrew difficult, especially on words:
1. used only once
2. same tri-lateral root has various meanings
This is why for ancient Hebrew the cognate languages of the ancient Near East and the ancient versions provide a guide on the meaning of rare words.
NASB “(There is no understanding in him)”
NKJV “No one is aware of it”
NRSV “there is no understanding of it”
TEV “'where is all the cleverness he had'“
NJB “'He has quite lost his wits'“
Apparently Edom was totally surprised by these events.
Oba 1:8 “on that day” There is a play on the phrase “that day” throughout the remainder of the prophecy. It deals with the day of temporal judgment as an example of a coming day of eschatological judgment, which will surely come against all those who are against God and His people. See Special Topic: That Day <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/day,that.html>.
▣ “I will destroy” YHWH Himself (cf. Deu 8:20 ) will bring total destruction on Edom. The VERB (BDB 1, KB 2, Hiphil PERFECT) is also found in Jer 46:8 .
▣ “wise men from Edom” Eliphaz, Job's friend, was from Teman, which was a major city of Edom (cf. Job 2:11 ). Apparently Edom was known for her traditional wisdom (Job was probably an Edomite). It is possible that Job himself was from this area, yet God removes their wisdom (cf. Oba 1:7 , line 7; Jer 49:7 ).
▣ “the mountain of Esau” The Edomites originally displaced the Horites and the area became known as Mount Seir. In this prophecy the mountains (i.e., high plateau) of Esau are played off against the mountains of Zion.
Oba 1:9 “Teman” The word is literally “what is on the right hand,” i.e., the south (BDB 41:2 I). This city got its name from the grandson of Esau (BDB 41:2 II, cf. Gen 36:11 ; Gen 36:15 ; Gen 36:42 ). In Obadiah's day it is both a city (cf. Jer 49:7 ; Jer 49:20 ) and a name for a region in Edom (cf. Amo 1:12 ).
▣ “by slaughter” This NOUN (BDB 88:1 ) appears only here in the OT. The Septuagint moves it to the beginning of Oba 1:10 .
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT:1:10-14
10”Because of violence to your brother Jacob,
You will be covered with shame,
And you will be cut off forever.
11On the day that you stood aloof,
On the day that strangers carried off his wealth,
And foreigners entered his gate
And cast lots for Jerusalem —
You too were as one of them.
12Do not gloat over your brother's day,
The day of his misfortune.
And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah
In the day of their destruction;
Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress.
13Do not enter the gate of My people
In the day of their disaster.
Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity
In the day of their disaster.
And do not loot their wealth
In the day of their disaster.
14Do not stand at the fork of the road
To cut down their fugitives;
And do not imprison their survivors
In the day of their distress.”
Oba 1:10 “Because of violence to your brother Jacob” Israel was commanded to be kind to Edom because they were relatives (cf. Deu 23:7 ). However, Edom violated this traditional kinship tie (for when see Introduction V.B).
▣ “You will be covered with shame” This term (BDB 10:2 ) denotes the violation of expected group behavior. Edom and Israel were relatives. This demanded certain actions.
In the section of Jeremiah which condemns the surrounding actions it is used of
1. Israel's relatives
a. Moab, Jer 48:1 (twice), Jer 48:13 (twice), Jer 48:20 ; Jer 48:39 b. Edom, in Oba 1:10 c. Ammon, not used in Jer 48:1-6 2. Israel's enemies
a. Egypt, Jer 46:24 b. Syria, Jer 49:23 c. Babylon, Jer 50:2 (twice),12; Jer 51:17 ; Jer 51:47 ; Jer 51:51 The term had serious emotional connotations in Near Eastern countries where loss of “face” was emotionally devastating!
▣ “You will be cut off forever” This VERB (BDB 50:3 , KB 50:0 , Niphal PERFECT) means to be totally destroyed, completely cut off (i.e., Psa 37:9 ; Psa 37:22 ; Psa 37:28 ; Psa 37:34 ; Psa 37:38 ; Pro 2:22 ).
For the theories on when and how this prophecy was fulfilled see Introduction VI. C.
Oba 1:11 “On that day” See note at Oba 1:8 .
NASB, NRSV “carried off his wealth”
NKJV “carried captive his forces”
TEV “carried off Jerusalem's wealth”
NJB “carried off his riches”
JPSOA “carried off his goods”
The VERBAL (BDB 98:5 , KB 138:2 , Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) means “to take captive,” but what did they take? The OBJECT of the INFINITIVE (BDB 29:8 ) has several meanings:
1. strength
2. ability, efficiency
3. wealth (NASB, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB)
4. force, army (LXX, PESHITTA, NKJV)
Number 3 fits best in Oba 1:13 , where the same term is repeated, so it probably means the same in Oba 1:11 .
▣ “And foreigners entered his gate
And cast lots for Jerusalem—
You too were as one of them” This seems to imply that Edom aligned themselves with an invading army and divided the booty of Judah (cf. Joe 3:3 ; Neh 3:10 ).
The phrase “casting lots” (BDB 39:1 , KB 38:8 , Qal PERFECT, cf. Joe 3:3 and Nah 3:10 ) was an ancient way of (1) dividing land and/or spoils or (2) determining divinely led choices.
Oba 1:12-14 There is a series of negated JUSSIVE forms:
1. “do not gloat,” Oba 1:12 (lit. “see,” cf. NKJV), BDB 90:6 , KB 115:7 , Qal JUSSIVE (negated)
2. “do not rejoice,” Oba 1:12 , BDB 97:0 , KB 133:3 , Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense (negated)
3. “ do not boast,” Oba 1:12 , BDB 15:2 , KB 17:8 , Hiphil JUSSIVE (negated)
4. “do not enter,” Oba 1:13 , BDB 9:7 , KB 11:2 , Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense (negated)
5. “do not gloat,” Oba 1:13 , same as #1
6. “do not loot,” Oba 1:13 , BDB 101:8 , KB 151:1 , Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense (negated)
7. “do not stand,” Oba 1:14 , BDB 76:3 , KB 84:0 , Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense (negated)
8. “do not imprison,” Oba 1:14 (lit. “delivered up,” cf. NKJV), BDB 68:8 , KB 74:2 , Hiphil JUSSIVE (negated)
Oba 1:12 “Do not rejoice. . .do not gloat. . .do not boast” Apparently Edom rejoiced at Judah's calamity (cf. Psa 137:7 ; Lam 2:15-17 ; Lam 4:12 ; Eze 36:2-6 ; 1Es 4:45 ; 1Es 4:50 ). What they did to Judah, YHWH will allow/send others to do to them! We reap what we sow! See note at Oba 1:15 .
Oba 1:13 “their calamity” This (BDB 1:5 ) is a play on the Hebrew word for “red” (BDB 1:0 , cf. Eze 35:5 ). Bloodshed is coming!
Oba 1:14 The word translated “fork in the road” (BDB 83:0 , KB 97:4 ) has two distinct usages:
1. Oba 1:14 , “crossroads,” “fork in the road”
2. Nah 3:1 , “plunder”
The VERB's (KB 97:3 ) basic meaning is to “separate” or “divide” from the root's usage in Akkadian and Arabic. The Targums and Peshitta have “crossroads.” See note on word origins at Oba 1:7 .
This refers to Edom's blockades or ambushes at the mountain passes which led to the desert to the south which the Judeans tried to use while fleeing from the invading enemy. No one escaped (cf. Lam 2:22 )! Some scholars see this as referring specifically to 2Ki 25:3-7 (i.e., the flight of King Zedekiah from the army of Nebuchadnezzar II).
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT:1:15-21
15”For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you.
Your dealings will return on your own head.
16Because just as you drank on My holy mountain,
All the nations will drink continually.
They will drink and swallow
And become as if they had never existed.
17But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape,
And it will be holy.
And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.
18Then the house of Jacob will be a fire
And the house of Joseph a flame;
But the house of Esau will be as stubble.
And they will set them on fire and consume them,
So that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau,”
For the LORD has spoken.
19Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau,
And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain;
Also, possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria,
And Benjamin will possess Gilead.
20And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel,
Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath,
And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad
Will possess the cities of the Negev.
21The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion
To judge the mountain of Esau,
And the kingdom will be the LORD's.
Oba 1:15 “For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations” Edom is used as a type of all nations who are against God's people. This is a moral universe and God will set all things straight one day (i.e., eschatological judgment)!!!
For “the day of the Lord,” see note at Oba 1:8 . It is a recurrent theme, especially in Joel (cf. Joe 1:15 ; Joe 2:1 ; Joe 2:11 ; Joe 2:31 ) and Amos (cf. Amo 5:18 ; Amo 5:20 ).
▣ “As you have done, it will be done to you” This is a spiritual principle. God is ethical-moral and so is His creation. Humans break themselves on God's standards. We reap what we sow. This is true for believers (but does not affect salvation) and unbelievers (cf. Job 34:11 ; Psa 28:4 ; Psa 62:12 ; Pro 24:12 ; Ecc 12:14 ; Jer 17:10 ; Jer 32:19 ; Mat 16:27 ; Mat 25:31-46 ; Rom 2:6 ; Rom 14:12 ; 1Co 3:8 ; 2Co 5:10 ; Gal 6:7-10 ; 2Ti 4:14 ; 1Pe 1:17 ; Rev 2:23 ; Rev 20:12 ; Rev 22:12 ).
Oba 1:16 “Because just as you drank on My holy mountain” The question is how many groups are being addressed in this verse:
1. Edom (Oba 1:15 b), the invading nations (MASCULINE PLURAL, cf. Oba 1:15 a)
2. Israel (line 1)
Edom (line 3)
All invading nations (lines 2,3)
If #1 is right, then line 1 must refer to Edom getting drunk in Jerusalem after the victory of the invading foreign army.
In context #2 fits best. Edom was part of a multi-national invading army (i.e., the Babylonian army). This reflects Psalms 2 and Zec 12:2-3 . YHWH will one day judge all nations and all but His people will be destroyed (i.e., Isa 51:22-23 ; Mat 5:5 ).
▣ “All the nations will drink continually” The terms “drink” (BDB 105:9 , KB 166:7 , repeated three times) and “cup” (used in other places, i.e., Jer 49:12 ; Jer 44:26 ) refer to God's judgment (cf. Psa 75:8 ; Isa 51:17 ; Isa 51:23 ; Jer 25:15-16 ; Jer 25:27 ; Jer 25:18 ; Eze 23:32-33 Mat 20:22-23 ; Mat 26:39 ; Mat 26:42 ; Joh 18:11 ; Rev 14:10 ; Rev 16:19 ; Rev 19:15 ).
▣ “become” The VERB “to be” (BDB 22:4 , KB 24:3 ) is repeated twice in Oba 1:16 and twice more in Oba 1:17 . It is a role reversal emphasis. Edom was, but will cease to exist. Israel, though on the verge of non-existence, will blossom again!
Oba 1:17 “Mount Zion” Mount Zion was the site of the ancient Jebusite citadel (cf. 2Sa 5:7 ; 1Ch 11:5 ). The temple was located on Mount Moriah (cf. Gen 22:2 ; Gen 22:8 ; Gen 22:14 ; 1Ch 21:18-27 ; 2Ch 3:1 ). However, the term “Mount Zion” came to be the designation for the entire city of Jerusalem (especially in Psalms and the Prophets), see ABD, vol. 6, pp. 1096-1097). See Special Topic: Moriah, Salem, Jebus, Zion, Jerusalem <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/moriah.html>.
▣ “holy” See Special Topic below.
SPECIAL TOPIC: HOLY <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/holy.html>
▣ “possess their possessions” Many see this as referring to a future day of abundance and restoration (cf. Isa 14:1-2 ; Amo 9:11-15 ). There is a possible alternate translation of “and the house of Jacob shall take for an inheritance those that took them for an inheritance” (cf. LXX, NRSV).
Oba 1:18 “the house of Jacob. . .the house of Joseph” This apparently refers to the unification of the tribes of Israel. The divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah (i.e., 922 B.C.) have become one again (cf. Oba 1:20 )!
▣ “the house of Esau will be as stubble” Fire is often a symbol of judgment (cf. Exodus 1:5 ; Exodus 7; Mat 3:12 ; 1Co 3:10-15 ).
SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/fire.html>
▣ “there will be no survivor of the house of Esau” See Jer 11:23 ; Amo 1:8 ; and Mal 1:2-5 .
Oba 1:19-20 This verse describes how the defeated Israelites “will possess its inheritance” (Oba 1:17 ). The remnant will spread out and possess the land given to them by God (i.e. Deuteronomy).
This possession of the land by those to whom it was promised becomes a universal fulfilment in Oba 1:21 . All the earth belongs to YHWH and one day He will be King over it all!
Oba 1:19 “the Negev” This (BDB 61:6 ) means “the dry land” and thereby “south country,” referring to the arid land south of Beersheba (cf. Jos 15:21-32 ) extending into the area south and west of the Dead Sea. See Blaiklock and Harrison, The New International Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology, pp. 335-336. It is first mentioned in Gen 12:9 ; Gen 13:1 ; Gen 13:3 ; Gen 20:1 ; Gen 24:62 . In Gen 13:14 ; Gen 28:14 it is best translated “south” (cf. Exo 26:18 ; Exo 27:9 ; Exo 36:23 ; Exo 38:9 ; Exo 40:24 ).
▣ “shephelah” This (BDB 105:0 ) means “lowlands” and refers, in this context, to the western foothills of the Judean plateau (cf. Jos 15:33-34 ). The area is about ten miles wide and fifty miles long (ABD, vol. 5, p. 1204).
▣ “the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria” This refers to the land area of the northern Ten Tribes.
Oba 1:20 “Zarephath” This refers to a city of the coastal plain north of Israel in Phoenicia (cf. 1Ki 17:9-10 ). See Blaiklock and Harrison, The New International Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology, p. 483.
▣ “Sephared” This (BDB 70:9 ) seems to be a metaphor for the farthest place of exile. There has been much discussion over its exact locale
1. the capital of Lydia because of the use of the term in Persian inscriptions (Blaiklock and Harrison, The New International Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology, p. 399)
2. the islands off of Libya
3. southwest Media because of the inscriptions of the Assyrian kings, Sargon and Esarhaddon
4. Spain (this is the interpretation of the Targums, the Rabbis and the Peshitta)
5. the Bosporus, which is the interpretation of the Vulgate
6. Sparta (the interpretation of Keil and Delitzsch based on I Maccabees, chapter 1:2 and 1:4 ). Obviously no one knows!
Oba 1:21 “the deliverers” The Septuagint has “those who have been saved” (cf. Isa 45:22 ). It refers to those set free from exile (cf. Isa 52:10 ). This term (BDB 44:6 , KB 44:8 , Hiphil PARTICIPLE) may refer to military leaders (cf. Neh 9:27 ).
▣ “the kingdom will be the LORD's” This refers to God's sovereignty over all history (cf. Psa 22:28 ; Psa 47:7-9 ; Psa 67:4 ; Zec 14:9 ) and to the coming and reign of God's Messiah (cf. Eze 34:23-24 ; Mic 5:2-5 a). Even the NT denotes that the Messiah will eventually turn the Kingdom over to the Father (i.e., 1Co 15:24-28 ). See , see Special Topic: The Kingdom of God <http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/special_topics/kingdom_of_god.html>.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. What is the central theme of the book of Obadiah?
2. Why was Edom judged so severely?
3. Why is Edom used as a symbol for all the nations?
