Oct 2024 – Written Exposition

The Day of the Lord: Justice and Restoration in Obadiah 15-21

Posted on 17th Oct 202418th Dec 2025 by writtenexposition

DELIVERANCE FOR ISRAEL IN THE DAY OF THE LORD (15-21)

The book of Obadiah is a prophecy against Edom, a nation closely related by kinship to Israel/Judah but one with a long history of opposition and aggression towards it. The first section of the book condemns Edom’s pride and lists its crimes (10-14), both passive and aggressive, against Israel/Judah.

In verses 15-21 the prophet shifts from the judgment on Edom to a broader picture of God’s judgment on all nations, plus the restoration of Israel. YHWH is Lord over human history and therefore will judge not only Edom (as promised in Obad 2-4 and 8-10) but the other nations also; on a future occasion known The Day of YHWH.

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. Obadiah 1:15

(15) Verse 15 expands the scope of God’s judgment from Edom to all nations and introduces the ‘Day of the Lord’ with the word ‘for.’ This word connects the second oracle (vv.15-21) with the first as it refers back to the crimes against Judah outlined in vv.10-14. These crimes are the reasons for YHWH’s judgment upon Edom and the other nations in the Day of the Lord and for the lex talionis that will apply. Verses 15-16 contain three expressions of lex talionis:

as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee

thy reward shall return upon thine own head

as ye have drunk…so shall all the heathen drink

RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE

Lex talionis is a Latin expression for the legal principle of retributive justice. You might hear it referred to in everyday casual conversation as ‘tit for tat;’ ‘an eye for an eye;’ ‘it’s karma;’ ‘what comes around goes around;’ or ‘you reap what you sow.’

The law of retributive justice is clearly set out early in the Old Testament:

And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. Exodus 21:23-25

In the New Testament it is mentioned by Jesus –

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:2

– just before he goes on to restate it positively in what has become known as the Golden Rule:

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12

Also relevant is a statement in the New Testament by the apostle Paul:

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7

The principle of sowing and reaping is a popular theme in gospel preaching and it is no less popular on Christian web sites. Much online content on the topic appears to be based on the work of John W. Lawrence (The Seven Laws of the Harvest : Understanding the Realities of Sowing and Reaping, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1995).

I found five of the laws Lawrence identifies particularly interesting and instructive:

We reap only what has been sown.
We reap the same in kind as we sow (Gal 6:7-8)
We reap in a different season than we sow (Eccl 3:2; Gal 6:9)
We reap more than we sow (2 Sam 12:9-12; Hos 8:7)
We reap in proportion to what we sow (Prov 11:24-26; Mt 19:29; 2 Cor 9:6)

The principle of lex talionis underscores the justice of God’s judgment: Edom and the nations will face consequences proportional to their actions. The emphasis is on God’s fairness, as every nation will be held to account for its deeds.

THE DAY OF THE LORD

The Day of the Lord in the Old Testament refers to a time when YHWH decisively intervenes in human history, mainly in judgment. The concept may have developed from the idea of YHWH as a divine warrior who comes to the aid of his worshippers in battle (Isa 13:6; Ezek 13:5). The Day of the Lord is associated with divine justice and overwhelming violence.

The expression ‘the Day of YHWH’ may not have been coined by the prophet Amos (c.760 BCE) but he is our earliest Old Testament written source for it. Amos viewed the Day of YHWH as characterised by darkness (Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. Amos 5:18 ).

More than 130 years after Amos the prophet Zephaniah listed more characteristics of the Day of the Lord; as well as darkness he included battle imagery such as noise, wrath, slaughter, destruction and finality (Zeph 1:14-18).

There are similar expressions that refer to this great event (e.g. ‘The day of the Lord’s vengeance’ Isa 34:8; ‘the day of the Lord of hosts’ Isa 2:12; ‘the day of the Lord’s wrath’ Zeph 1:18; ‘the day of the Lord’s anger’ Zeph 2:2; ‘the day of his fierce anger’ Isa 13:13) but according to Hoffmann (1981, p.39) the exact Hebrew expression ‘the Day of YHWH’ only occurs in six passages (Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezek 13:5; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11; 3:14; Amos 5:18; Obad 15; Zeph 1:7, 19).

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. Obadiah 1:16

(16) Verse 16 continues the theme of judgment, using the imagery of drinking as a metaphor for experiencing God’s wrath. If we assume that in v.16a YHWH is addressing Edom rather than Judah then ‘as ye have drunk’ refers to (literal) drinking by Edom on an occasion when Jerusalem was invaded and looted (probably during the reign of Jehoram of Judah). ‘My holy mountain’ is Zion (see also Psa 2:6; Isa 11:9; Joel 2:1). The idea of (metaphorically) drinking the cup of God’s wrath occurs frequently in the Old Testament and means undergoing divine judgment (e.g. Isa 51:17, 22; Jer 25:15-17; 49:12; Lam 4:21). As a result of that drinking (swallowing God’s wrath) YHWH’s enemies ‘shall be as though they had not been’ i.e. they will be completely destroyed.

Edom drank in revelry and celebration but the nations, including Edom, will drink from the cup of God’s judgment. The actions of Edom and the nations against Israel/Judah in the past will affect them in the future. Obadiah does not mention but doubtless assumes a major difference between what Edom has done and what YHWH will do. For Obadiah Edom’s actions against Judah were wrong whereas YHWH’s actions against Edom and the nations will be legitimate and just.

But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. Obadiah 1:17

(17) Note the repetition of ‘shall’ in vv.17-21, emphasising that these predictions will surely come to pass.

As well as retribution against his enemies the Day of the Lord is associated with restoration, renewal and reward for his people. The word ‘but’ shows that a contrast is being drawn between the nations’ judgment and Israel’s restoration on the Day of the Lord. While the nations face destruction, there will be survivors in Zion (Jerusalem, Psa 48:2). YHWH will dwell in his temple on ‘Mount Zion’ (see Mic 4:1-2) and it will no longer be desecrated by Edom (v.16) but restored to holiness and purity. The “house of Jacob” (probably referring to Judah) will reclaim its land, from which it will have been dispossessed due to exile and oppression. This is a promise of restoration for God’s people. Note the repetition for emphasis – ‘possess their possessions.’ This suggests a period of peace and stability.

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. Obadiah 1:18

(18) This verse prophesies victory for Israel and destruction for Edom (‘house of Esau’) using parallelism.

the house of Jacob will be a fire

the house of Jacob [will be] a flame

the house of Esau [will be] stubble

Some commentators suggest that ‘house of Jacob’ may stand for Judah and ‘house of Joseph’ for the ten northern tribes of Israel. Thus the idea is of Israel in total. The imagery of fire (‘house of Jacob’) and flame (‘house of Joseph’) versus stubble (‘house of Esau’) highlights the overwhelming defeat that Edom will face. Fire consumes stubble quickly and completely, symbolising the destruction of Edom. The mention of ‘no survivor of the house of Esau’ reinforces the severity of Edom’s judgment. This statement is an example of a literary technique known as hyperbole (use of exaggeration for emphasis or effect) as v.21 predicts that ‘saviours’ will judge Edom. Assurance that these predictions will be fulfilled comes from the highest authority: ‘the Lord hath spoken it.’

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. Obadiah 1:19

(19) Verse 19 details Israel’s territorial expansion and the restoration of its land. The Negev (southern desert region) will take possession of Mount Esau (Edom’s territory) to the east, and the Shephelah (lowland region of Judah) will take over the land of the Philistines to the west (Isa 11:14; Zeph 2:4-7). Ephraim and Samaria represent the northern kingdom of Israel, Ephraim was the largest tribe and Samaria the capital. Benjamin (one of the two tribes in southern Israel) will take possession of Gilead (east of the Jordan River, i.e Transjordan).

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. Obadiah 1:20

(20) Israel will not only regain its own land but will expand into the territories of its enemies. This verse speaks specifically of the return of Israelite exiles. One group of exiles will expand through territory formerly occupied by the Canaanites as far north as ‘Zarephath,’ a town some ten miles south of Sidon (in present-day Lebanon).

The ‘exiles of Jerusalem’ who are in ‘Sepharad’ will return and possess the cities of the Negev. Lipiński (1973, p.368) maintains: ‘There can be no doubt that Sepharad is identical with the Persian satrapy of Sparda, in Asia Minor. The name itself appears in the Aramaic inscription found at Sardis, the capital of that satrapy.’

This verse indicates indicates the regaining of Israel’s traditional lands and also expansion into territory beyond that which they previously controlled. It suggests a regathering of Israelites from distant lands.

And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s. Obadiah 1:21

(21) The deliverance will be by ‘saviours’ (judges), presumably appointed by YHWH to guide the Israelites to a proper form of worship. The administration will have its headquarters in Jerusalem (Mount Zion). Ironically, in a reversal of Edom’s fortunes, the judges will rule over Edom (Mount Esau – i.e. Mt. Seir). The two mountains are compared in order to emphasize the change in circumstances for Edom and the nations. The closing phrase of Obadiah’s book envisages a utopian future. It points to a future time when theocratic rule will be established; ‘the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.’

SUMMATION

The message of Obadiah is primarily one of judgment against Edom. This is said to be because of its attitudes and actions towards Israel. Key themes are:

Judgment

Obadiah prophesies that YHWH will make Edom small among the nations because of its pride and arrogance. It will be destroyed because of its cooperation with foreign invaders and actions against Israel at a time of distress.

Retribution

The actions that Edom and other nations have taken against Israel will be repaid in kind. Lex talionis is a principle of divine justice – ‘as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee’ (v.15).

Restoration for Israel

The prophecy of Edom’s doom also contains a message of hope for Israel. Obadiah promises that YHWH will deliver Israel from its enemies, that Israel will possess and even expand its former territory and that the kingship of YHWH will be manifested.

Despite its brevity the book of Obadiah communicates a powerful message about the consequences of sin and the triumph of God’s justice. It still serves today as a warning against pride, arrogance and betrayal. It is a reminder of God’s sovereignty and of his ultimate retribution against all who oppose him and his people.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Alexander, T. D., Baker, D.W., and Waltke, B. (2015). Obadiah, Jonah and Micah. InterVarsity Press.

Assis, E. (2021). Identity in Conflict: The Struggle between Esau and Jacob, Edom and Israel. University Park, PA: Penn State University Press.

Currie, B, (2023). Meditations on the Single-Chapter Books of the Bible (Obadiah, Philemon, 2John, 3John, Jude). Assembly Testimony

Dicou, B. (1994). Edom, Israel’s Brother and Antagonist: the Role of Edom in Biblical Prophecy and Story. Sheffield: Jsot Press.

Ehud Ben Zvi (1996). A Historical-critical Study of the Book of Obadiah. Berlin; New York: Walter De Gruyter.

Jenson, P. P. (2009). Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. Bloomsbury Publishing USA.

Lawrence, J.W. (1995). The Seven Laws of the Harvest: Understanding the Realities of Sowing and Reaping. Grand Rapids, Mi: Kregel Publications.

Mason, R. (2004). Micah, Nahum and Obadiah. Bloomsbury Publishing.

McComiskey, T. E. (1993). The Minor Prophets / Vol. 2, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum and Habakkuk. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House.

Rushdoony, R. J. (2013). Sermons in Obadiah & Jonah. Chalcedon Foundation.

Simundson, D. J. (2011). Abingdon Old Testament Commentaries: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. Abingdon Press.

Sawyer, J. F. A. and Clines, D .J. A. (1983). Midian, Moab and Edom: The History and Archaeology of Late Bronze and Iron Age Jordan and North-West Arabia. A&C Black.

JOURNAL ARTICLES

Anderson, B.A. (2010). ‘Poetic Justice in Obadiah.’ Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 35(2), pp. 247–255.

Anderson, B. A. (2012). “Edom in the Book of Numbers: Some Literary Reflections’ Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, vol. 124, no. 1, pp. 38-51.

Anderson, B. A. (2014) ‘The Reception of Obadiah: Some Historical, Ideological, and Visual Considerations.’ Proceedings of the Irish Biblical Association, 36-37 . pp. 17-35.

Assis, E. (2006). ‘Why Edom? On the Hostility Towards Jacob’s Brother in Prophetic Sources.’ Vetus Testamentum, 56(1), ppp. 1–20.

Assis, E. (2014). ‘Structure, Redaction and Significance in the Prophecy of Obadiah.’ Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 39(2), pp. 209–221.

Bartlett, J. R. (1969). ‘The Land of Seir and the Brotherhood of Edom.’ The Journal of Theological Studies, 20(1), pp. 1–20.

Bartlett, J. R. (1977). ‘The Brotherhood of Edom.’ Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2(4), pp. 2-27.

Becking, B. (2016). ‘The Betrayal of Edom: Remarks on a Claimed Tradition.’ HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 72(4). pp.1-4

Burdon, C. (1998). ‘Jacob and the Dominion of Edom.’ The Expository Times, 109(12), pp. 360-363.

Cannon, W. W. (1927). ‘Israel and Edom: The Oracle of Obadiah—II.’ Theology, 15(88), pp. 191-200.

Davies, G. I. (1977). ‘A New Solution to a Crux in Obadiah 7.’ Vetus Testamentum, 27(4), pp. 484–487.

Ferries, R. (2022). ‘Edom and Babylon: Archetypal Enemies of God and His People. A Comparative Analysis of Obadiah and Isaiah 13:2–14:23,’ Old Testament Essays 35 no.3, pp. 475 – 495.

Forder, A. (1901). ‘Sela or Petra, “The Strong City.” The Ruined Capital of Edom.’ The Biblical World, 18(5), pp. 328–337.

Glueck, N. (1936). ‘The Boundaries of Edom.’ Hebrew Union College Annual, 11, pp. 141–157.

Hoffmann, Y. (1981). ‘The Day of the Lord as a Concept and a Term in the Prophetic Literature.’ Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, vol. 93, no. 1, pp. 37-50

Hwang, J. (2014). ”My Name Will Be Great among the Nations:’ The Missio Dei in the Book of the Twelve.’ Tyndale Bulletin, 65 (2): pp. 161–80.

Krause, J. J. (2008). ‘Tradition, History, and Our Story: Some Observations on Jacob and Esau in the Books of Obadiah and Malachi.’ Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 32(4), pp. 475–486.

Lipiński, E. (1973). ‘Obadiah 20.’ Vetus Testamentum, 23(3), pp. 368–370.

Ogden, G. S. (1982). ‘Prophetic Oracles Against Foreign Nations and Psalms of Communal Lament: the Relationship of Psalm 137 to Jeremiah 49:7-22 and Obadiah.’ Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 7(24), 89-97.

Robinson, T. H. (1916). ‘The Structure of the Book of Obadiah.’ The Journal of Theological Studies, 17(68), pp. 402–408.

Tebes, J. M. (2017). ‘Memories of Humiliation, Cultures of Resentment towards Edom and the Formation of Ancient Jewish National Identity.’ Nations and Nationalism, 25(1), pp.124–145.

Werse, N. R. (2013). ‘Obadiah’s ‘Day of the Lord:’ A Semiotic Reading.’ Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 38(1), pp.109–124.

DIGITAL

ANDERSON, B. A. (2010) Election, Brotherhood and Inheritance:
A Canonical Reading of the Esau and Edom Traditions. Doctoral thesis, Durham University.

Exposition

Pride and Fall: Obadiah 1-14

Posted on 6th Oct 202418th Dec 2025 by writtenexposition

As noted towards the end of my previous post Understanding the Book of Obadiah: A Concise Overview the prophecy of Obadiah to Judah about Edom falls into two main sections. The first section is historical, the second eschatological.

1-14 Declaration of Judgment on Edom

15-21 Deliverance for Israel in the day of YHWH

DECLARATION OF JUDGMENT ON EDOM (1-14)

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

1. This verse introduces the prophecy of Obadiah with a superscription indicating that the author is a man called Obadiah. No chronological or biographical information is supplied. Obadiah means ‘servant of the Lord’ so this may either be the name of the writer or just a self-description (For a list of the other men in the Old Testament named Obadiah see Understanding the Book of Obadiah: A Concise Overview).

Obadiah claims to have received a ‘vision.’ This is a general word for divine communication but may also refer to oracles by false prophets (Jer 14:14; 23:16). Using the prophetic formula ‘thus saith the Lord God’ (Isa 7:7; Jer 7:20; Ezek 2:4) Obadiah clarifies that the source of his vision is the Lord God (Adonai YHWH, Gen 15:2; Isa 3:1; Jer 1:6; Ezek 2:4), and thus it has divine authority. Strangely he does not follow this saying with direct speech from YHWH but instead with words spoken by YHWH’s audience; ‘we’. Who the ‘we’ are is not specified, probably Obadiah means himself plus others in the nation of Israel/Judah. In the parallel passage Jeremiah says ‘I,’ meaning just himself (Jer 49: 14-16).

‘We have heard a report (cp. Isa 53:1) straight from YHWH, and [what’s more] an envoy has been sent among the nations.’ Since Obadiah and his associates heard the tidings directly from YHWH we must presume that it is YHWH who has sent out an envoy to summon the nations to war against Edom. Whether this ambassador is human or angelic is not stated. The perfect tense ‘has been sent’ means that this will surely happen. ‘Among the nations’ is used in the context of war in Jer 49:14; 50:2; 51:27; Joel 3:9. ‘Arise ye’ is a summons to battle, as in Jer 6:4, 5; 49:14, 28, 31. YHWH will cause the nations to go to war against Edom.

EDOM

In the Old Testament the ancient nation of Edom was a prominent enemy of YHWH and his covenant people Israel. Edom, meaning ‘red,’ was descended from Esau and Israel was descended from Esau’s twin brother Jacob (Gen 25:22-26). The story of this family is found in Genesis chapters 25-33. Genesis 36:1-43 gives Esau’s family record and also lists the early kings of Edom.

Saul, Israel’s first king, waged war against Edom (1 Sam 14:47-48) as did his successor David (1 Kgs 11:15-16). David successfully subdued Edom (2 Sam 8:13-14), making it a vassal state of Israel, which it remained under Solomon. When the Israelite monarchy divided after Solomon’s death Edom remained under the control of Judah. The books of Kings and Chronicles record several Edomite revolts against Judah. These were during the reigns of the Judahite kings Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 20:10-23), Jehoram (2 Kgs 8:20-22; 2 Chron 21:8) and Amaziah (2 Kgs 14:7; 2 Chron 25:1-11). According to Psa 137:7 the Edomites were also complicit in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586/7 BCE.

In the Bible Edom is often associated with Mt Seir (Num 24:18; Deut 2:4; Judg 5:4; 2 Chron 20:10; 25:11; Isa 21:11). Its exact location is unknown but must have been in or close to Edom, probably in the Negev (a desert area to the south of Judah). The traditional territory occupied by Edom lay to the southeast of Israel in what is now southern Jordan and included two important commercial and military ports on the coast of the Red Sea, Elah (modern Eilat) and Ezion-geber (1 Kgs 9:26). The capital of Edom was Bozrah (Isa 63:1) but by the time of Amaziah (2 Kgs 14:7; 2 Chron 25:11-12) the nation’s main fortification was at Sela (modern Petra) which means ‘rock.’

2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. Obadiah 2-4

Verses 2-4 give the reason for Edom’s judgement – pride.

2. ‘Behold’ directs the reader’s attention to what is going to happen. YHWH declares judgment on Edom saying that that the nation will be made small. This may be an ironic play on Gen 27:1 where Esau is described as Isaac’s ‘big son.’ YHWH will make the Edomites insignificant and despised among the nations. Their forefather Esau had despised the birthright (Gen 25:34), now his progeny will be despised.

3. Edom’s pride of heart is noted. The main idea is that of presumption, overstepping acceptable bounds (cp, 1 Sam 17:28). Pride comes first in the list of seven sins that YHWH hates (Prov 6:16-19). According to Prov 16:5 ‘everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord…he shall not be unpunished.’ Isaiah maintains that the proud and lofty will be brought low (Isa 2:13-17). Down through the years people have made arrogant and foolish statements (that God himself could not sink the Titanic springs to mind) but surely Edom is a biblical example of the truth of Prov 16:18: ‘Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall’. Ironically Edom has become delusional, its proud heart has deceived it and in v.7 its allies will deceive it too.

‘Thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high’. Since they live in mountainous regions and have a virtually impregnable stronghold at ‘the rock’ i.e. Sela (Petra) the Edomites trust in their natural fortifications. Sela‘ means rock. They believe that they are invincible and therefore they ask themselves the rhetorical question ‘Who shall bring me down to the earth? As Edom sees it the answer is ‘No-one!’

4. The correct answer to the question is given in v.4. No matter how high Edom exalts itself YHWH declares that he will bring them down from that perch. Using striking imagery Obadiah compares Edom’s fortress to an eagle’s eyrie (Job 39:27-30) situated at a great height ‘among the stars’ (Job 22:12). Edom’s pride and arrogance will result in humiliation. See Mt 11:23; 23:12.

As well as at Edom (Obad 3; Jer 49:16) the Old Testament prophets levelled the charge of pride at other nations also.

Assyria – Isa 10:12; Ezek 31:3,10; Zeph 2:13,15.

Babylon – Isa 47:8

Moab – Isa 16:6; Jer 48:29

Tyre – Ezek 28:2

5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grape gatherers came to thee, 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 thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
9 And thy 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 thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off forever

Verses 5-10 declare the extent of Edom’s judgement.

5. Obadiah’s use of powerful imagery continues as in three conditional clauses beginning with ‘if’ he compares Edom’s destruction to a night-time robbery and to the work of grape gatherers. Note the double use of ‘came’ and ‘would they not’ in the two parallel statements in v.5.

‘If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night…would they not have stolen till they had enough?’

‘If the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?’

These rhetorical questions make the point that robbers and reapers only take what they can carry; they do not take everything, they always leave something. Edom’s destruction, however, will be total, its plunderers will leave nothing. Between the two metaphors lies a dramatic aside ‘how art thou cut off,’ this is a mock lament.

6. The mocking continues in v.6 and emphasises the thoroughness with which Esau (standing for Edom) will be plundered as its enemies search for and dig out its hidden treasures.

7. The regional powers with which Edom has allied and agreed peace treaties will betray her. Who these confederates are is not stated but YHWH will have them turn against Edom. These allies will commit three acts of treachery against Edom. They will (1) expel Edom’s ambassadors from their borders , i.e. send them back to their own country, (2) deceive and overpower Edom, reneging on bilateral agreements that have been ratified with a covenant meal (e.g. Josh 9:12-15), and (3) wound Edom’s lower parts, i.e. ambush Edom and strike a blow from which it will not recover. YHWH will execute destruction on Edom by influencing its allies to attack her.

That there was ongoing diplomatic activity among the nations in that region is clear from Jeremiah chapter 27. Envoys from Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre and Sidon arrived at Jerusalem, no doubt to discuss forming an alliance against Nebuchadnezzar and his advancing forces. Jeremiah got involved and sent each of the representatives on their way back to their kings with a yoke as an object lesson, along with advice to submit to Babylonian rule.

8-10. Again taking up the topic of divine retribution foretold in vv.2-4 YHWH asks a rhetorical question, to which the expected answer is ‘Yes!’ ‘Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?’ YHWH say that he will remove wise men from Edom so that her leaders will no longer have the discernment to make good decisions. Because of this Edom’s warriors will become demoralised and the army ineffective. They will be slaughtered by opposing military forces.

‘The mount of Esau’ (also v.21) refers to Mt Seir and stands for all of Edom (Ezek 35:15). Teman (as well as Sela. see v.3) was a town in Edom and was named after one of Esau’s grandsons (Gen 36:11; 1 Chron 1:36).

‘In that day’ refers to the time when the events of v.7 take place.

Edom was famous for its wisdom (Obad 8; Jer 49:7; see also 1 Kgs 4:30). Eliphaz, one of Job’s comforters (Job 16:2) was a Temanite (Job 2:11).

Verse 10 makes it clear that Edom deserved severe punishment because it did not respect the historical kinship bond with Israel. This is emphasized by the use of ‘thy brother Jacob’ meaning Israel. Israel was descended from Jacob and Edom from Jacob’s twin brother Esau. Israel was bitter at the violence perpetrated against it by Edom; this resentment is expressed very powerfully in the book of Obadiah. Because of hostility displayed towards Israel Edom will be disgraced and will cease to exist as a nation (‘cut off forever’).

11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.
13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest 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 shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.

11. Verse 11 refers to a specific time of crisis for Judah when Edom was complicit with foreign invaders, taking sides with them as they attacked Jerusalem.

12-14. Verses 12-14 lists eight crimes which Edom perpetrated against Judah on that occasion. ‘In/on that day’ occurs nine times in vv.10-14.

You should not have gloated over your brother in the day of his alienation (v.12).
You should not have rejoiced over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin (v.12).
You should not have boasted in the day of distress (v.12)
You should not have entered the gate of my people in the day of calamity (v.13).
You should not have gloated over their disaster in the day of their calamity (v.13).
You should not have looted their wealth in the day of their calamity (v.13).
You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off fugitives (v.14).
You should not have handed over survivors in the day of distress (v.14).

These crimes against Judah may have occurred during the Edomite rebellion c. 850 BCE in the reign of Jehoram of Judah but the dominant view among scholars, based on Psa 137:7, is that Obadiah was written soon after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587/6 BCE and that these verses refer to Edom’s behaviour at that time.

That view takes no account of the fact that the Edomites are not mentioned in the list of nations that helped the Babylonians at that time (2 Kgs 24:1-2). It also fails to explain Jer 40:11, which indicates that people from Judah fled from the Babylonians to other territories; a number of them finding refuge in Edom.

In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him. And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by his servants the prophets. 2 Kings 24:1-2

Verse 14 brings to an end the oracle against Edom. The prophet now turns from the day of Judah’s calamity when Edom acted against it to another day; the Day of YHWH. On that day the situation will be reversed. Edom and the other nations will be judged and Israel will be delivered (v.17).