Keraia
Obadiah 1

Obadiah 1:14

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

Translations

Modern
Nor should you stand at the crossroads to cut off their fugitives, nor deliver up their survivors in the day of their distress.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And you should not stand at the crossroad to cut down his fugitives; and you should not deliver up his survivors in the day of distress.
Latin
…neque stabis in exitibus ut interficias eos qui fugerint, et non concludes reliquos ejus in die tribulationis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Nor should you stand at the crossroads to cut off their fugitives, nor deliver up their survivors in the day of their distress.

Notes

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

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 Malice: Punishment of The Jews: None Hated or Oppressed, with Impunity