Keraia
Obadiah 1

Obadiah 1:12

The Destruction of Edom · Obadiah 1:1–14
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Translations

Modern
But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And you should not look on the day of your brother, on the day of his captivity; and you should not rejoice over the sons of Judah on the day of their destruction, and you should not enlarge your mouth in the day of distress.
Latin
Et non despicies in die fratris tui, in die peregrinationis ejus: et non lætaberis super filios Juda in die perditionis eorum: et non magnificabis os tuum in die angustiæ.

Original

Hebrew
English
But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress.

Notes

Obadiah 1:12

  • The tribes of Israel were relatives of Edom (literally brother; compare Numbers 20:14).

  • Edom and other nearby nations mistakenly believed that making peace with Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC would give them relief. However, their time of judgment would come.

Obadiah 1:12–14

All societies are responsible for wrongdoings, like those of Edom (see, for example, the messages against Israel’s neighbors in Amos 1:3–2:3). The Edomites committed sins against Judah by helping the Babylonians loot the land (Obadiah 1:13) and either killing or sending back Judah’s escapees (1:14).

Obadiah 1:10–14

Because of the violence against your brother Jacob: The reason for Esau’s condemnation is explained in Obadiah 1:10 (see also Isaiah 34; Jeremiah 49:7–22; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11–12) and expanded in Obadiah 1:11–14, where Edom’s betrayal is described. In legal terms, these verses provide evidence for the charge of breaking a covenant.

Theme notes and profiles

Messages Against the Nations

Events

Parallels

Jeremiah 49:7–22

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Book of Obadiah Obadiah (Person)

Topics

Edom: A Name of the Land Occupied by the Descendants of Esau: Sins of Edomites: Join Babylon in War Against the Israelites Esau: Hostility of Descendants of, Toward the Descendants of Jacob Gloating Malice: Punishment of The Jews: None Hated or Oppressed, with Impunity