Obadiah 1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Obadiah 1

This book is wholly concerning Edom, a nation nearly allied and near adjoining to Israel, and yet an enemy to the seed of Jacob, inheriting the enmity of their father Esau to Jacob. Now here we have, after the preface, Obad. 1:1. I. Threatenings against Edom, 1. That their pride should be humbled, Obad. 1:2-4. 2. That their wealth should be plundered, Obad. 1:5-7. 3. That their wisdom should be infatuated, Obad. 1:8, 9. 4. That their spiteful behaviour towards God?s Israel should be avenged,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Obadiah 1

THIS is the shortest of all the books of the Old Testament, the least of those tribes, and yet is not to be passed by, or thought meanly of, for this penny has Cæsar's image and superscription upon it; it is stamped with a divine authority. There may appear much of God in a short sermon, in a little book; and much good may be done by it, multum in parvo--much in a little. Mr. Norris says, "If angels were to write books, we should have few folios." That may be very precious which is not... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Obadiah 1:10-16

When we have read Edom's doom, no less than utter ruin, it is natural to ask, Why, what evil has he done? What is the ground of God's controversy with him? Many things, no doubt, were amiss in Edom; they were a sinful people, and a people laden with iniquity. But that one single crime which is laid to their charge, as filling their measure and bringing this ruin upon them, that for which they here stand indicted, of which they are convicted, and for which they are condemned, is the injury they... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Obadiah 1:17-21

After the destruction of the church's enemies is threatened, which will be completely accomplished in the great day of recompence, and that judgment for which Christ came once, and will come again, into this world, here follow precious promises of the salvation of the church, with which this prophecy concludes, and those of Joel and Amos did, which, however they might be in part fulfilled in the return of the Jews out of Babylon notwithstanding the triumphs of Edom in their captivity, as if it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Obadiah 1

INTRODUCTION TO OBADIAH 1 This prophecy of Obadiah is the least of the minor prophets, consisting but of one chapter; the subject of it is Edom, whose destruction is foretold, and is to be considered as a type of the enemies of Christ and his kingdom, and especially of the Roman antichrist. After the preface, the rumour of war, and preparation for it, which would issue in the ruin of Edom, are observed, Obadiah 1:1 ; because of their pride, confidence, and security, Obadiah 1:3 ; which... read more

John Gill

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

The vision of Obadiah ,.... Or the prophecy, as the Targum; which was delivered unto him by the Lord in a vision; it was not what he fancied or dreamed of, but what he saw, what he had a clear discovery and revelation of made unto his mind; hence prophets are sometimes called "seers". This was a single prophecy; though sometimes a book, consisting of various prophecies, is called a vision; as the prophecies of Isaiah are called the vision of Isaiah, Isaiah 1:1 ; thus saith the Lord God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Obadiah 1:2

Behold, I have made thee small among the Heathen ,.... Or "a little one", or "thing" F15 קטן "parvium", V. L. ; their number few, and their country not large, as Aben Ezra, especially in comparison of other nations; and therefore had no reason to be so proud, insolent, and secure, as they are afterwards said to be; or rather, "I will make thee"; the past for the future, after the prophetic manner, as Kimchi; that is weak and feeble, as the Targum; reduce their numbers, destroy their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Obadiah 1:3

The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee ,.... The Edomites were proud of their wealth and riches, which they had by robberies amassed together; and of their military skill and courage, and of their friends and allies; and especially of their fortresses and fastnesses, both natural and artificial; and therefore thought themselves secure, and that no enemy could come at them to hurt them, and this deceived them: thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock ; their country was called... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Obadiah 1:4

Though thou exaltest thyself as the eagle ,.... That soars aloft, flies on high, even out of sight, higher than any other bird does: or, "exaltest thy habitation"; and makest it as high as the eagle's nest; see Jeremiah 49:16 ; and though thou set thy nest among the stars ; even higher than the eagle's; an hyperbolical expression, supposing that which never was or can be done; yet, if it was possible, would not secure from danger: or should their castles and fortresses be built upon... read more

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