Obadiah 1:8

Modern

In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau?

Traditional

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?

Literal

Will not, on that day,” a declaration of YHWH, “I even destroy the wise men from Edom, and of understanding from the mountains of Esau?

Latin

Numquid non in die illa, dicit Dominus, perdam sapientes de Idumæa, et prudentiam de monte Esau?

Hebrew

English

In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau?

In that day: The Hebrew word yom, meaning “day,” appears 12 times in Obadiah 1:8–15. It is often translated as “when” or “at that time.” The time mentioned in Obadiah 1:8 marks the start of the end, when God intervenes to change the fate of his people.
wise men … men of understanding: Edom was proud of its wisdom tradition (see Jeremiah 49:7). For instance, the book of Job takes place in Edomite land.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”
Job 5:12–14
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success.
Psalm 33:10
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.
Isaiah 19:3
Then the spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will frustrate their plans, so that they will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists.
Isaiah 19:13–14
The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.
1 Corinthians 3:19–20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel Mount Esau: Mountainous region of Edom; judgment prophesied by Obadiah