Obadiah 1:1

The Announcement of the judgment, Obadiah 1:1-9.

1. The prophecy has two titles: (1) “The vision of Obadiah”; (2) “Thus saith the Lord Jehovah concerning Edom” (compare Nahum 1:1). The first is the title of the whole book, supplied either by the prophet himself or, what seems more probable, by the collector of the Minor Prophets. The second, which is intimately connected with what follows, contains the opening words of the prophet’s denunciation of Edom, which serve at the same time as an introduction to the quotation from the more ancient oracle (see p. 291), the quotation itself beginning with “We have heard.” The first title gives only the name of the author, and this is all we know concerning him (see on Obadiah 1:20).

Vision The use of this word, like that of the verb to see, goes back to the period when the ecstatic vision was a common method of receiving the divine truth. It signifies properly that which appears before the mental eye of the prophet during a trance; but in the greater part of the Old Testament the word is used in a wider sense of all prophetic perception of divine truth, whatever the process. Here, as in other places, it is used in a still wider sense, as the heading of an entire prophetic book (Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 2:1; Nab. Obadiah 1:1; compare 1 Chronicles 21:9).

Obadiah See Introduction, p. 286.

Thus saith the Lord Jehovah A common formula claiming divine authority for a prophetic message. It is clear, however, that no theory concerning the manner in which the truth was made known can be based upon the use of the verb say. Like see, it has a narrower and a wider meaning, and in the prophetic books it is used in the wider sense (see on vision).

Concerning Edom Directly or indirectly the entire book deals with Edom (see on Amos 1:11). In bitter resentment the prophet announces her doom, and while rejoicing in the downfall of Edom he glories in the future exaltation of the people of God.

Now follows the quotation from the earlier oracle, which Obadiah applies to his own period (see p. 291).

We have heard The parallel passage in Jeremiah 49:14, reads, “I have heard.” Which is the original, it may be difficult to decide, and it matters little. In one case the author speaks as an individual, in the other he identifies himself with his countrymen.

Rumor R.V., “tidings”; literally, that which is heard (Isaiah 28:9; Isaiah 53:1).

The tidings are those revealed by Jehovah to his people, in order to prepare them for impending emergencies (Amos 3:7). The rest of Obadiah 1:1 gives the contents of the tidings. It has commonly been interpreted as meaning that Jehovah communicates a message to his people, and that at the same time he dispatches a herald to the surrounding nations with a similar message, to stir them up against Edom. Against this interpretation two objections may be raised: (1) It finds no support in the rest of the prophecy; (2) It takes unwarranted liberty with the text (see below). The difficulties vanish if a different meaning is given to 1b. Jehovah sends to his people a message which reveals to them that an ambassador has been sent by Edom to the surrounding nations to persuade them to join Edom in a sudden attack upon Judah.

This interpretation does complete justice to the language, and it may enable us to fix, approximately at least, the date of the earlier prophecy. The closing years of Jehoash were troublesome times for Judah; Hazael of Syria threatened Jerusalem, and in order to save the city Jehoash paid an enormous tribute (2 Kings 12:17 ff.). Dissatisfaction arose in the capital, and a revolt broke out which resulted in the king’s death. These internal disturbances would be an opportune moment for a foreign invasion, and Edom, the long-time enemy, would quickly recognize it. It is worthy of note that immediately following the statement that Amaziah established himself upon the throne and punished the murderers of his father, 2 Kings 14:7, continues, “He slew of Edom in the Valley of Salt ten thousand, and took Sela by war.” Might not the severity of the king be explained by the discovery of a plot such as is alluded to in Obadiah 1:1?

And… is sent An object clause depending on “we have heard tidings”; a better rendering would be “that… is sent” (G.-K., 157a).

Ambassador Or, herald. He was sent to stir up the nations to war.

Heathen Better, R.V., “nations”; a designation of all nations outside of Israel.

Arise ye, and let us rise up These words are not to be understood as giving both the appeal of the herald, “Arise ye,” and the reply of the nations, “and (or, yea) let us rise up.” The entire sentence belongs to the herald; he urges the nations to rise, and then, associating the power he represents with them, he calls out, “Yea, let us rise” (compare Jeremiah 49:14, where the second verb is omitted).

Against her Ordinarily interpreted as referring to Edom; if so, the feminine form of the pronoun is peculiar, since “the writer always uses the masculine in referring to Edom.” Some remove the peculiarity by changing the form of the pronoun; it seems better, however, to interpret the pronoun as referring to Judah (see above). True, Judah is not mentioned by name, while Edom is; but it must be remembered that this is a quotation removed from its context, in which the name may have been found.

In Obadiah 1:2 Jehovah appears as the speaker. Having revealed to his people the conspiracy of Edom, he comforts them by assuring them that the scheme cannot succeed, since he has resolved to take the part of Judah against Edom.

Behold Calls attention to the denunciation contained in Obadiah 1:2-9.

I have made thee small A prophetic perfect. Jehovah has already decided upon the humiliation of Edom, and this decision makes the result as certain as if it had already been accomplished.

Thou art greatly despised Also a prophetic perfect. When Edom’s glory is brought low she will be despised by the other nations.

Among the heathen R.V., “nations”; which she sought to stir up against Judah (Obadiah 1:7).

Greatly Jeremiah 49:15, reads “among men,” which would give perfect parallelism with “among the nations.” Here Jeremiah may have preserved the original; the Obadiah reading may be due to a later corruption.

Calvin, Pusey, and others favor a different interpretation of Obadiah 1:2. They think that the tenses refer to the past. The divine providence assigned to Edom a humble position among the nations of the earth, but in their pride (Obadiah 1:3) the Edomites exalted themselves contrary to Jehovah’s purpose; therefore Jehovah must bring them down (Obadiah 1:4). The first interpretation seems preferable.