Christian Churches of God
No. F031
Commentary on Obadiah
(Edition 3.0
20140906-20210206-20230723)
Christian Churches of God
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Commentary on Obadiah
Introduction
The text of
Obadiah refers to the fate of Edom in the Last Days and is actually a reference
to the combined group of Edom and Judah in the Last Days from the dispersion to
the Return of the Messiah and the advent at Jerusalem.
The name Obadiah
means servant of the Lord. It is the
name of twelve different people in the OT. We are unsure of who this prophet
was.
It is unsure of
when this was written and the first verses of 1-9 draw on the prophecies stated
in Jeremiah 49:7-22 especially at 49:9, 14-16 where it is verbatim (cf.
Soncino). The work is dominated by the
themes of justice and judgment for Edom.
The struggles and
hatred of Edom for his twin brother was experienced from the struggles in the
womb and has continued on over history in a conflict not seen among brothers.
The conflicts occurred
also with David both under Saul and later in his reign and down to the war with
the Hasmoneans ca 130 BCE and the prophets continually cry for vengeance
against Edom or exult in its overthrow.
Amos condemns Edom
because he kept his wrath against Israel forever (Amos 1:11).
(Other texts are
noted by the Soncino as at Isa. ch. 34; Ezek. 35; Ps. 137:7; Lam. 4:21.)
John Hyrcanus ca
130 BCE defeated and subjugated the Edomites and Idumeans and they were brought
into Second Century BCE Judaism and also became part of the Phoenician trading
alliance. Herod the Great consolidated his position with Rome at the Battle of
Actium and became ruler of Judea. From this time the Southern kingdom of the
Judeans contained a large number of Idumeans or Edomites. The Galileans
contained far less of them. The two people Edom and Judah scorned and hated
each other. While many Jews joined the Christian faith Judah itself came to
have a significant number of Edomites and the Jews of today contain perhaps far
less that 18 percent Jews and some 10 percent Edomites and the rest are neither
Jews nor Edomites and almost 70 per cent are not even Semitic. A portion are
Arabs converted to Judaism after the dispersion. The rest are Hamites from
North Africa or Canaan or Hittites from the fall of the Hittite empire at Troy,
capital of Wilusia or Khazars, from the conversions in 730 CE.
With that aspect
in mind it must be realised that these latter prophecies concerning Edom refer
also to the occupations of Palestine in the last days by Zionists. These are
the people that Christ refers to in Revelation 3:9 who are of the synagogue of
Satan and who say they are Jews but are not. They will be made to bow down and
do obeisance to the Philadelphian Church of the Last Days.
The prophecies
concerning true Israel are in the works of the other prophets such as Nahum,
Isaiah, Jeremiah and the other prophets concerning the last days. The DNA break
up of modern Judaism is contained in the papers Genetic Origin of the
Nations (No. 265) and Descendants of Abraham Part V:
Judah (No. 212E).
Obadiah Verses 1-21 (RSV)
1The Vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord God concerning Edom: We have heard tidings from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!” 2Behold, I will make you small among the nations, you shall be utterly despised. 3The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, whose dwelling is high, who say in your heart, "Who will bring me down to the ground?" 4Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, thence I will bring you down, says the LORD. 5If thieves came to you, if plunderers by night -- how you have been destroyed! -- would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? 6How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out! 7All your allies have deceived you, they have driven you to the border; your confederates have prevailed against you; your trusted friends have set a trap under you -- there is no understanding of it. 8Will I not on that day, says the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau? 9And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter. 10For the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off for ever. 11On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. 12But you should not have gloated over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; you should not have rejoiced over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; you should not have boasted in the day of distress. 13You should not have entered the gate of my people in the day of his calamity; you should not have gloated over his disaster in the day of his calamity; you should not have looted his goods in the day of his calamity. 14You should not have stood at the parting of the ways to cut off his fugitives; you should not have delivered up his survivors in the day of distress. 15For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you, your deeds shall return on your own head. 16For as you have drunk upon my holy mountain, all the nations round about shall drink; they shall drink, and stagger, and shall be as though they had not been. 17But in Mount Zion there shall be those that escape, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions. 18The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor to the house of Esau; for the LORD has spoken. 19Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephe'lah the land of the Philistines; 20The exiles in Halah who are of the people of Israel shall possess Phoenicia as far as Zar'ephath; and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sephar'ad shall possess the cities of the Negeb. 21Saviours shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's. (RSV)
Intent of the Chapter
v. 1
The terms thus saith the Lord God are
either a repeat of Jeremiah acknowledging the text as God hath said or a repeat at the order and authority of God
directly. There seems little doubt that Obadiah is speaking with the direct
authority of God. The use of we may
refer to the other prophets or to we the
Hebrew people. The singular is found in Jeremiah. The term messenger is sent or as the MT is
translated sometimes an ambassador is
sent obscures the use of the concept of God raising up the nations against
Edom in battle to punish Esau as Edom.
v. 2
This text was accomplished by 70 CE with the dispersal and it flowed into the
Jewish people by default after 135 CE after Hadrian’s dispersion. God is to
make them insignificant in numbers as they became among Judaism and they were
already despised.
v. 3
The capital of Edom was Petra and the city was a fortress entered by a narrow
passage, and was used to kill their captives by hurling from the cliffs. They
had remarkable isolation and stores of wealth. Their security was in a maze of
cliffs, caves and rocks that afforded them protection. The Maccabees had their
power destroyed. Their understanding was completely destroyed by the Pharisees
after the fall of the Temple as was that of Judaism.
v. 4
Although secure from man it is God that brings them down to destruction (cf.
also Amos 9:2 for the concept. The phrase make (lit. set) the nest occurs in
Numbers 24:22; cf. Soncino).
v. 5
The meaning is that normal thieves and robbers would have to support them.
God’s Law forbade the gleaners to go through a second time leaving something
for the poor (Deut. 24:21). The parasites of Edom took everything.
v. 6
The hidden places involved the
storage of Edom’s treasures obtained from the trade routes and their thefts. It
may be translated as hidden treasures.
v. 7
The betrayals in the year 70 CE with the destruction of the Temple by the Romans
and the ruin of Jerusalem by the warring factions saw Edomites leave the
precincts as is explained in the paper War with Rome and the Fall of the
Temple (No. 298).
The Romans kept on
and destroyed all who opposed them and ended with the siege and fall of the
Masada.
The general theme
of verses 6-7 is that whereas they had a secure fortress they were undone by
treachery. The simple perfects pose a real problem for the translators and the
rabbinical commentators. Was verse 7 simply a matter of simple perfects and had
the overthrow of the Edomites already been accomplished, (which did not happen
until their overthrow under John Hyrcanus) or are these prophetic perfects
indicating a future overthrow? The
problem with the rabbinical commentators is that they know even under John
Hyrcanus the overthrow involved the absorption of Edom into Judah and thus may
involve a prophetic sanction of Judah and that is the real meaning and was to
go on for centuries and the final phase is in the Last Days in modern Israel
(cf. also Soncino fn. to v. 7, p. 130). Some interpretations are that the
allies went with Edom to the borders and there deserted them leaving them to
the enemy (so Metsudath David). Trusted friends were They that eat thy bread made snare under thee. (RV margin) The Hebrew is literally thy bread
(cf. Ps. 41:10 per Soncino). The proverbial cunning of the Edomites (Jer.
49:7) failed to discern the unreliability of their allies.
The next passages
are considered to apply to verse 15ff. as a prophecy concerning God’s Judgment
on Edom in the final days rather than with the preceding verses (cf. Soncino fn.
to vv. 8-9). In that day refers
to the Last Days (v. 15ff.) and could refer to the coming of the Messiah or
even as far forward as the Second Resurrection. It probably refers to the
activities of Messiah prior to the Millennial system as that also involves
Judah in Ezekiel’s Temple. The problem is that Edom is contained within Judaism
and that means there are other problems about to hit modern Israel in the Last
Days (the Holocaust was one of them). Thus Edom is a term for the people within
modern Judaism.
vv. 8-9 The reference in the next section to Teman refers to the northern
district of Edom (cf. also Amos 1:12)
(Compare Zeph.
1:9,10; 3:16; Hag. 2:23). Edom was renowned
for its wise men (Jer. 49:7).
This text may well
refer to the subjugation of Edom by John Hyrcanus when they were living in the
Negeb. It was inflicted as a punishment as we see. They ceased to exist as an
independent nation from the dispersion onwards.
vv. 10-11 The law says that you shall not abhor an Edomite
for he is your brother (Deut. 23:7). Edom sought to destroy and profit from
the captives each time Judah was sent into captivity and was judged and
condemned for that fact. They stood back and let the others do the fighting and
sought to profit from the spoil. Many did the same in WWI and WWII but paid for
it (cf. also Ps. 137:7; Isa. 34:5-7; 63:1-6; Lam. 4:21; Ezek. 25:12-14; Mal.
1:2-5); and Amos 1:11-12 in the earlier period of the prophets.
Judah was sent
into captivity twice for their false religion and disobedience. The last time
was to the Romans and although they sought to escape, Edom went into captivity
with Judah and remained there.
vv. 12-14 This is an eight fold indictment of Edom given in a forceful manner. Thus
Edom is judged but we see this is now far forward into the Last Days. So this
text can only be speaking of modern Judah in Israel. As Judah has corrupted the
Holy Mountain of God and corrupted His days of worship and His calendar so too
will he be judged and dealt with under the witnesses Elijah and Enoch and under
Messiah at the head of the Host and under the Vials of the Wrath of God.
vv. 15-16 The reference in verse 15 is a reference also to Joel 4:14. Note here
that Mt Zion will be established and made holy and this can only be in the
restorations under the Messiah referred to in Ezekiel and in Zechariah (cf.
also Jer. 25:15; 49:12; Ezek. 35:15 for
the Wrath of God) .
vv. 17-21 refer to the restoration of Israel.
v. 17 refers to the situation we see in Joel 4:17.
v. 18 The reference to the lack of survivors to Esau and the triumph of
Jacob and Joseph refers to the complete eradication of modern Judaism and their
false Hillel Calendar and their corruption of the faith of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob. There is to be a complete restoration and unification of the nation of
Israel.
v. 19a We then go on to see what becomes of the land which is modern Israel. Those
of the South will possess Mount Esau which is Southern Jordan. After the exile
of Judah to the Babylonians, the Edomites took possession of the Negeb and it
was from there that they were defeated by John Hyrcanus. Thus the remnant of the Edomites in Judah
will, after the restoration, be sent back to Mount Esau. The Philistines
occupied the area of the Shephe’lah or lowlands which was the coastal plain.
The lands of the
coastal plain will be re-occupied as part of the lands of Jacob. Joseph will
possess the area of Samaria and the North and Benjamin will cross the Jordan
and occupy Gilead on the East Bank which was formerly one of the other tribal
areas belonging to Manasseh, father of Machir, father of Gilead. Thus Benjamin
seems to inherit part of Manasseh’s inheritance also. Jordan as Ammon and Moab
will become part of Israel also.
v. 19b Thus the exiles of Israel will return to the lands of Israel and recapture his territories.
The text of verse
20 is better translated according to the AV and RV margins as “And the
captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that which
belongeth to the Canaanites even unto Zarephath” etc., and the Soncino agrees
with that translation and says: “The meaning then is that the exiles of the
Northern Kingdom will reconquer the North and the exiles of Judah the South.”
v. 20 The Hebrew text is uncertain but Halah is in Northern Mesopotamia (cf.
2Kgs. 17:6; cf. fn. to Annotated Oxford RSV). So the Northern exiles return. Zar’ephath
is a Phoenician town in the coastal plain between Tyre and Sidon in the Lebanon
(cf. Soncino) and establishes the Northern limits of the Restored Kingdom from
Lebanon into Mesopotamia at the Euphrates. This text with that of Joel shows
why the OT Scriptures are attacked by Arab pseudo-Muslims.
v. 21 The reference to Saviours going up to Mount Zion is a reference to the
Messiah and his Host. This refers theologically to the dominion of Messiah as
King over all nations (cf. Pss. 22:28,47; 99:1-2). Some rabbinical scholars
(e.g. Metsudath David) acknowledge that this is the meaning of the text and it
is Messianic.
Bullinger’s Notes on Obadiah (for KJV)
Chapter 1
Verse
1
Obadiah = Servant of Jehovah. Compare 1 Kings 18:3.
Thus
saith, &c. The words of this prophecy,
therefore, are not Obadiah"s, but Jehovah"s. Compare verses: Obadiah 1:1, Obadiah 1:8, Obadiah 1:18.
the
Lord GOD. Hebrew Adonai Jehovah. App-4.
concerning
Edom. See notes on p. 1244.
We
have heard. The rhetorical difficulty may be
removed by regarding these words as the words of Edom"s foes.
a
rumour = tidings.
the
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
Supply the logical Ellipsis (App-6): "from
Jehovah [that Edom is to be attacked]".
and: or, and [already].
heathen = nations.
Arise
ye. These are the words of the embassage.
in
battle = the war.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
Calling attention to the words of Jehovah.
the
clefts, &c. Referring to the natural
position of the Edomites. Compare 2 Kings 14:7.
Though,
&c. The words of Jehovah.
set
thy nest. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 24:21). App-92. Compare Habakkuk 2:9.
among
the stars. Figure of speech Hyperbole. App-6.
saith
the LORD = [is] Jehovah"s oracle.
if
the grape gatherers. Some codices, with
Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "or if", &c.
would
they not. ? Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 24:21). App-92. Compare Isaiah 17:6; Isaiah 24:13.
How
. . . ! Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
searched
out: i.e. discovered by the enemies. Ginsburg
thinks it should be read "stripped bare".
men. Plural of "enosh. App-14.
confederacy. See Psalms 83:5-8.
the
men, &c. = the men who were wont to salute
thee.
and. Some codices, with three early printed editions and
Syriac, read this "and" in
the text.
they
that eat. The Ellipsis is thus
correctly supplied.
wound = snare.
understanding
in him: or, no discernment of it: in spite of
their renown for wisdom. Compare Obadiah 1:8. Jeremiah 49:7.
that
day: i.e. the day of the fulfillment of the
prophecy. Compare Ezekiel 25:12-14; Isaiah 63:1-6 and Jeremiah 49:7-22
mount = hill country.
Teman. Compare Jeremiah 49:7.
thy
violence, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 27:41-44. Deuteronomy 23:7). App-92.
in
the day. See App-18. Note the Figure of
speech Repetitio (App-6) in verses: Obadiah 1:12-14.
strangers = aliens.
gates. Hebrew text = gate; but Hebrew margin, with some
codices and two early printed editions, read "gates"(plural)
thou
shouldest not have looked on, &c. All these
are Prohibitives in Hebrew: i.e. they are addressed to Edom as from a spectator
looking on and saying; "Look not thou, "&c.
children = sons.
spoken
proudly. Hebrew enlarged thy mouth [with
laughter]. Compare Psalms 35:21. Isaiah 57:4. Ezekiel 35:13.
stood
in the crossway. Referring to some antecedent
event by Figure of speech Hysteresis (App-6).
crossway = fork of the roads, or a mountain pass.
the
day of the LORD. See note on Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17. The prophecy is now enlarged, and includes all
the nations who were Israel"s enemies.
as = according as. This prophecy was fulfilled, so far
as Edom was concerned, later on (see 1 Macc. 5.4, 65. Josephus, De Bell. iv. 5); likewise will
the judgment on "all the nations" be
literally fulfilled.
holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.
continually. Some codices, with four early printed editions (one
Rabbinic in margin), read "round about",
swallow
down: or, stagger. Only elsewhere in Job 6:3.
as
though, &c. Solemn and note worthy words.
upon
mount Zion. Compare Isaiah 46:13. Joel 2:32.
shall
be. Compare Jeremiah 46:28. Joel 3:16. Amos 9:8.
deliverance = a delivered remnant. Compare Joel 2:32.
and
there shall be, &c. Compare Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 4:3, Isaiah 4:4. Joel 3:17.
shall
possess, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 24:18, Numbers 24:19), App-92. Compare Isaiah 14:1, Isaiah 14:2. Joel 3:19-21. Amos 9:11-15.
there
shall not be. Compare verses: Obadiah 1:9-10, Obadiah 1:9, Obadiah 1:16.
any
remaining = him that remaineth. Twenty-four
centuries ago this prophecy was written, and to-day no Edomites can he
identified. Compare Obadiah 1:14, and Numbers 24:19 (the same word). There will be a restored
Edom, "in that day", or Isaiah 63:1-6. Jeremiah 49:7-22 could not be fulfilled.
the
south = the south [country], the Negeb. See note
on Psalms 126:4. Compare Amos 9:12.
the
plain = the lowlands, the Shephelah [shall
possess]. Compare Zephaniah 2:7.
they = they [of the mountain], or [of the centre].
fields = territory.
and
Benjamin = and [they of] Benjamin.
captivity = the captives: "captivity" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of
Adjunct), App-6, for the captives.
this
host: i.e. the whole of the twelve tribes.
shall
possess. Supply the Ellipsis thus: "they
who are scattered among [the Canaanites]".
even,
&c. Supply "[shall possess]
as far as".
Zarephath = Sarepta, belonging to Sidon and Tyre. Sepharad is
mentioned with Ionia and Greece (in the west) in the inscriptions of Behistun, vol.
1, line 15. See App-57. Jews were sold as slaves, and were taken to Spain by
the Phoenicians to work in the mines near the great city of Ampuria, now being
unearthed, near Figueras, in the province of Gerona. The "Jews"
houses" are still shown at Besalu.
the
cities, &c. Jewish tradition declares for
Spain.
south. After Obadiah 1:20, supply the logical Ellipsis of
thought thus: "[yea. My People shall enlarge their borders on
all sides], and saviours", &c.
saviours = deliverers: i.e. earthly and human, as in Judges 3:9, Judges 3:15. Compare Micah 5:4, Micah 5:5. See the Structure, above.
the
kingdom shall be the LORD"S. Compare Psalms 22:28. Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:27. Zechariah 14:9. Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:6.
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