Obadiah 1:12 - Exposition

The prophet complains of the malignant neutrality of the Edomites. Thou shouldest not have looked. In this and the two following verses, al with the future is wrongly translated. It should be rendered throughout, "do not look," "do not rejoice," etc. Obadiah, in view of the past behaviour of Edom, and looking forward to another and more fatal conquest of Jerusalem, warns the Edomitas against repeating this malicious conduct. Septuagint, μὴ ἐπίδης . Gaze not with pleasure, feast not thine eyes ( Micah 7:10 ). The day of thy brother; i.e. when some great event befell him—explained further in the next clause. Compare "the day of Jerusalem" ( Psalms 137:7 ). In the day that he became a stranger; Septuagint, ἐν ἡμέρα ἀλλοτρίων , "in the day of strangers;" Vulgate, in die peregrinationis ejus. The Anglican and Vulgate Versions signify, "in the day that he was carried captive into strange lands;" but most probably the expression should be rendered, "in the day of his calamity." Rejoiced over (comp. Job 31:29 ; Proverbs 17:5 ; Micah 7:8 ). Spoken proudly; literally, make thy mouth great ; Septuagint, μὴ μεγαλοῤῥημονῇ , "do not boast;" Vulgate, non magnificabis os tuum. Utter a flood of mocking words, probably accompanied with derisive grimaces. There is a climax in this verse—first the complacent look, then the malicious pleasure, then words of insult and derision.