3. clefts of . . . rock— (Song of Solomon 2:14; Jeremiah 48:28). The cities of Edom, and among them Petra (Hebrew, sela, meaning "rock," 2 Kings 14:7, Margin), the capital, in the Wady Musa, consisted of houses mostly cut in the rocks. read more
4. exalt thyself —or supply from the second clause, "thy nest" [MAURER] (Compare Job 20:6; Jeremiah 49:16; Amos 9:2). set . . . nest among . . . stars—namely, on the loftiest hills which seem to reach the very stars. Edom is a type of Antichrist (Isaiah 14:13; Daniel 8:10; Daniel 11:37). thence will I bring thee down—in spite of thy boast (Daniel 11:37- :), "Who shall bring me down?" read more
Yahweh called Obadiah’s hearers to see that He would make Edom, which was already despised because of her character, small among the nations. He would humble her further. read more
The outstanding mark of Edom’s national character was pride. The Hebrew word for pride (zadon) comes from a verb meaning to boil up (zid). It pictures pride as water that boils up under pressure in a cooking pot. Similarly the proud person is like a bubble that thrusts itself up but is hollow. Interestingly, the same Hebrew word occurs three times in the account of Esau, the father of the Edomites, squandering his birthright (Genesis 25:27-34).". . . the key that unlocks the central moral... read more
Here the figure of an eagle that was also in view in the previous verse becomes explicit. Even if the Edomites would build their nest as high as the stars (hyperbole), God would bring them down. Hyperbole is overstatement for the sake of emphasis. King Sennacherib of Assyria and King Assurnassirpal II of Assyria both used the same figure to boast of their security in their respective annals. [Note: See Daniel D. Luckenbill, The Annals of Sennacherib, p. 36; and Albert K. Grayson, Assyrian Royal... read more
1-9.—THE DIVINE HOSTILITY AGAINST EDOM PROCLAIMED.(1) The vision of Obadiah.—Properly, vision of Obadiah, without the article. There are three recognised headings to prophetical books—word, burden (i.e., oracle), and vision—and all are used without the article, and in a general way, for the contents of the books, without any intention to distinguish between different kinds or modes of prophecy. Thus Nahum combines burden and vision: “Burden of Nineveh. Book of vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.”... read more
EDOM AND ISRAELObadiah 1:1-21IF the Book of Obadiah presents us with some of the most difficult questions of criticism, it raises besides one of the hardest ethical problems in all the vexed history of Israel.Israel’s fate has been to work out their calling in the world through antipathies rather than by sympathies, but of all the antipathies which the nation experienced none was more bitter and more constant than that towards Edom. The rest of Israel’s enemies rose and fell like waves:... read more
1:3 The {c} 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?(c) Which despises all others in respect of yourself, and yet you are but a handful in comparison with others, and you are shut up among the hills as separate from the rest of the world. read more
"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. (2) Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised." We have here the preface, as it were, to this prophecy: and a very awful one it is. It is in vain to conceal the matter; the Lord's distinguishing grace to his people, and hatred to his enemies, is marked in every... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Obadiah 1:2
2. I have made thee small—Thy reduction to insignificance is as sure as if it were already accomplished; therefore the past tense is used [MAURER]. Edom then extended from Dedan of Arabia to Bozrah in the north (Jeremiah 49:8; Jeremiah 49:13). CALVIN explains it, "Whereas thou wast made by Me an insignificant people, why art thou so proud" (Obadiah 1:3)? But if so, why should the heathen peoples be needed to subdue one so insignificant? Jeremiah 49:15, confirms MAURER'S view. read more