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Obadiah: Judgment on Edom

Judgement on Edom,
vv. 1-14
Impact of the Day of the Lord,
vv. 15-21
Announced, vv. 1-9Explained, vv. 10-14On the nations,
vv. 15-16
On Israel,
vv. 17-21

Major Characters

  • Obadiah (“servant of the Lord”) — nothing more is known of him. Even the time of his prophecy is unsure although tied to an Edomite attack on Jerusalem.

Major words/phrases

  • In the day… (vv. 11, 12, 13, 14)
  • The day of the Lord (v. 15)

Major themes

  • Judgement on Israel’s enemies
  • Deliverance of God’s people

Edom

Edom is the nation descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother (Gen. 25:22-34). When Israel came out of Egypt, the Edomites would not allow the Israelites to pass through their land (Num. 20:14-21). According to Obadiah, they watched as Jerusalem was invaded (v. 11); rejoiced over their destruction (v. 12); entered the city (v. 13); and cut off those who tried to escape (v. 14). Their destruction was repeatedly prophesied (Isa. 34:5,6; Jer. 49:7-18; Ezek. 25:13; 35:1-15; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11; Mal. 1:3, 4), and remarkably fulfilled.

See Bible Knowledge Commentary: Obadiah on v. 15 regarding the Day of the Lord.

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