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Matthew Henry

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 1:9

And thy mighty men , O Teman, shall be dismayed ,.... Teman was one part of the country of Edom, so called from Teman, a son of Eliphaz, and grandson of Esau, Genesis 36:11 ; and which it seems had been famous for men of might and courage: it abounded with brave officers, and courageous soldiers, who should now be quite dispirited, and have no heart to go out against the enemy; and, instead of defending their country, should throw away their arms, and run away in a fright. The Targum and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Obadiah 1:9

Thy mighty men, O Teman - This was one of the strongest places in Idumea; and is put here, as in Amos 1:2 , and elsewhere, for Idumea itself. Mount of Esau - Mount Seir. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Obadiah 1:9

Verse 9 The Prophet, after having spoken of one kind of God’s vengeance, adds another, — that he would break whatever there was of strength in Idumea: and thus he shows that the courage and strength of men, no less than their understanding, are in the hand of God. As then God dissipates and destroys, whenever it pleases him, whatever wisdom there may be in men, so also he enervates and breaks down their hearts: in a word, he deprives them of all strength, so that they fail and come to nothing... 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 1:8-9

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Obadiah 1:8-9

False confidences. "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? And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter." The wise, the mighty!—who shall stand when these fall? Edom made great boast of its wise men and its mighty men, but it was a vain confidence. "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the... read more

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