Bible Commentaries
Obadiah 1

Verse 1

Obadiah = Servant of Jehovah. Compare 1 Kings 18:3 .

Thus saith, &c. The words of this prophecy, therefore, are not Obadiah's, but Jehovah's. Compare verses: Obadiah 1:1 , Obadiah 1:8 , Obadiah 1:18 .

the Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. App-4 .

concerning Edom. See notes on p. 1244.

We have heard. The rhetorical difficulty may be removed by regarding these words as the words of Edom's foes.

a rumour = tidings.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Supply the logical Ellipsis ( App-6 ): "from Jehovah [that Edom is to be attacked]".

and: or, and [already].

heathen = nations.

Arise ye. These are the words of the embassage.

in battle = the war.

Verse 2

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . Calling attention to the words of Jehovah.

Verse 3

the clefts, &c. Referring to the natural position of the Edomites. Compare 2 Kings 14:7 .

Verse 4

Though, &c. The words of Jehovah.

set thy nest. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 24:21 ). App-92 . Compare Habakkuk 2:9 .

among the stars. Figure of speech Hyperbole. App-6 .

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

Verse 5

if the grape gatherers. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "or if", &c.

would they not. ? Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 24:21 ). App-92 . Compare Isaiah 17:6 ; Isaiah 24:13 .

Verse 6

How . . . ! Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

searched out: i.e. discovered by the enemies. Ginsburg thinks it should be read "stripped bare".

Verse 7

men. Plural of 'enosh. App-14 .

confederacy. See Psalms 83:5-8 .

the men, &c. = the men who were wont to salute thee.

and. Some codices, with three early printed editions and Syriac, read this "and" in the text.

they that eat. The Ellipsis is thus correctly supplied.

wound = snare.

understanding in him: or, no discernment of it: in spite of their renown for wisdom. Compare Obadiah 1:8 . Jeremiah 49:7 .

Verse 8

that day: i.e. the day of the fulfillment of the prophecy. Copmare Obadiah 1:15 :16 , and Isaiah 63:1-6 . Jeremiah 49:13 ,

mount = hill country.

Verse 9

Teman. Compare Jeremiah 49:7 .

Verse 10

thy violence, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 27:41-44 .Deuteronomy 23:7; Deuteronomy 23:7 ). App-92 .

Verse 11

in the day. See App-18 . Note the Figure of speech Repetitio ( App-6 ) in verses: Obadiah 1:12-14 .

strangers = aliens.

gates. Hebrew text = gate; but Hebrew margin, with some codices and two early printed editions, read "gates"(plural)

Verse 12

thou shouldest not have looked on, &c. All these are Prohibitives in Hebrew: i.e. they are addressed to Edom as from a spectator looking on and saying; "Look not thou, "&c.

children = sons.

spoken proudly. Hebrew enlarged thy mouth [with laughter]. Compare Psalms 35:21 .Isaiah 57:4 .Ezekiel 35:13 .

Verse 14

stood in the crossway. Referring to some antecedent event by Figure of speech Hysteresis ( App-6 ).

crossway = fork of the roads, or a mountain pass.

Verse 15

the day of the LORD. See note on Isaiah 2:11 , Isaiah 2:17 . The prophecy is now enlarged, and includes all the nations who were Israel's enemies.

as = according as. This prophecy was fulfilled, so far as Edom was concerned, later on (see 1 Macc. 5.4, 65. Josephus, De Bell. iv. 5); likewise will the judgment on "all the nations" be literally fulfilled.

Verse 16

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

continually. Some codices, with four early printed editions (one Rabbinic in margin), read "round about",

swallow down: or, stagger. Only elsewhere in Job 6:3 .

as though, &c. Solemn and note worthy words.

Verse 17

upon mount Zion. Compare Isaiah 46:13 .Joel 2:32 .

shall be. Compare Jeremiah 46:28 . Joel 3:16 . Amos 9:8 .

deliverance = a delivered remnant. Compare Joel 2:32 .

and there shall be, &c. Compare Isaiah 1:26 ; Isaiah 4:3 , Isaiah 4:4 .Joel 3:17 .

shall possess, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 24:18 , Numbers 24:19 ), App-92 . Compare Isaiah 14:1 , Isaiah 14:2 .Joel 3:19-21 .Amos 9:11-15 .

Verse 18

there shall not be. Compare verses: Obadiah 1:9-10 , Obadiah 1:9 , Obadiah 1:16 .

any remaining = him that remaineth. Twenty-four centuries ago this prophecy was written, and to-day no Edomites can he identified. Compare Obadiah 1:14 , and Numbers 24:19 (the same word). There will be a restored Edom, "in that day", or Isaiah 63:1-6 . Jeremiah 49:7-22 could not be fulfilled.

Verse 19

the south = the south [country], the Negeb. See note on Psalms 126:4 . Compare Amos 9:12 .

the plain = the lowlands, the Shephelah [shall possess]. Compare Zephaniah 2:7 .

they = they [of the mountain], or [of the centre].

fields = territory.

and Benjamin = and [they of] Benjamin.

Verse 20

captivity = the captives: "captivity" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the captives.

this host: i.e. the whole of the twelve tribes.

shall possess. Supply the Ellipsis thus: "they who are scattered among [the Canaanites]".

even, &c. Supply "[shall possess] as far as".

Zarephath = Sarepta, belonging to Sidon and Tyre. Sepharad is mentioned with Ionia and Greece (in the west) in the inscriptions of Behistun, vol. 1, line 15. See App-57 . Jews were sold as slaves, and were taken to Spain by the Phoenicians to work in the mines near the great city of Ampuria, now being unearthed, near Figueras, in the province of Gerona. The "Jews' houses" are still shown at Besalu.

the cities, &c. Jewish tradition declares for Spain.

south. After Obadiah 1:20 , supply the logical Ellipsis of thought thus: "[yea. My People shall enlarge their borders on all sides], and saviours", &c.

Verse 21

saviours = deliverers: i.e. earthly and human, as in Judges 3:9 , Judges 3:15 . Compare Micah 5:4 , Micah 5:5 . See the Structure, above.

the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. Compare Psalms 22:28 . Daniel 2:44 ; Daniel 7:14 , Daniel 7:27 . Zechariah 14:9 . Revelation 11:15 ; Revelation 19:6 .