Obadiah 1:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Obadiah 1:1-9

Edom is the nation against which this prophecy is levelled, and which, some think, is put for all the enemies of Israel, that shall be brought down first or last. The rabbin by Edom understand Rome. Rome Christians they understand it of, and have an implacable enmity to it a such; but, if we understand it of Rome antichristian, we shall find the passages of it applicable enough. And though Edom was mortified in the times of the Maccabees, as it had been before by Jehoshaphat, yet its... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Obadiah 1:8

Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise men out of Edom ,.... When they shall be invaded by the enemy, and treacherously dealt with by their allies; so that there shall be no wise counsellors at court to give advice what proper methods should be taken at such a season; they should either be taken off by death, or their wisdom should be turned into folly, and they be rendered incapable of giving right counsel: and understanding out of the mount of Esau ? that is,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Obadiah 1:8

Shall I not - destroy the wise men - It appears, from Jeremiah 49:7 , that the Edomites were remarkable for wisdom, counsel, and prudence. See on the above place. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Obadiah 1:8

Verse 8 We must now notice what the Prophet says, Shall I not in that day destroy the wise from Edom? Though men be in many respects blind, whom God guides not by his Spirit, and on whom he shines not with his word, yet the worst blindness is, when men become inebriated with the false conceit of wisdom. When therefore any one thinks himself endued with understanding, so that he can perceive whatever is needful, and that he cannot be circumvented, his wisdom is insanity and extreme madness: it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:1-9

§ 1. The heathen nations are summmoned to take vengeanee on Edom. In spite of her impregnable position, they shall bring her low and strip her of her wealth, being aided and encouraged by her own allies. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:1-16

Part I. THE DESTRUCTION OF EDOM, AND THE CAUSE THEREOF. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:6-9

God in retribution. "How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up! All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border," etc. Man is essentially a dependent being. The ineradicable and ever-operative sense of his dependence urges him to lean his being on some object for rest and safety. His sin is that he puts his confidence on objects unworthy and unsafe. "Some trust in chariots, some in horses; etc. The Edomites, it is suggested here,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:8

In that day; when Edom is abandoned by its friends. Destroy the wise men out of Edom. God shall take their wisdom from them, so that they shall be no more able to offer prudent counsel or suggest plans of safety ( Isaiah 19:11-16 ; Isaiah 29:14 ; Isaiah 47:12 , Isaiah 47:13 ). The Edomites were celebrated for wisdom or practical philosophy. Mount of Esau ( Obadiah 1:9 , Obadiah 1:19 , Obadiah 1:21 ). Mount Seir—a designation of Edom from the nature of the country. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:8-9

Their vaunted wisdom and their boasted courage shall fail, for God shall take them away. "Quem Deus vult perdere, prius dementat." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:8-9

Wisdom and power of no avail against God. Of all their possessions men are most prone to rely upon and to boast of their physical prowess and their intellectual sagacity. It is thought that great power, directed by consummate prudence and wisdom, is of all things earthly the most trustworthy, the most unfailing. Yet warnings are in Scripture often addressed to men to dissuade them from an undue confidence even in gifts and qualities so rare and admirable as these. The sons of Esau are in... read more

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