Obadiah 1:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you — you have no understanding.

NIV: All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.

NASB: All the people allied with you Will send you to the border, And the people at peace with you Will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread Will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him.)

CSB: Everyone who has a treaty with you will drive you to the border; everyone at peace with you will deceive and conquer you. Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you. He will be unaware of it.

NLT: 'All your allies will turn against you. They will help to chase you from your land. They will promise you peace while plotting to deceive and destroy you. Your trusted friends will set traps for you, and you won’t even know about it.

KJV: All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.

NKJV: All the men in your confederacy Shall force you to the border; The men at peace with you Shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it.

Edom was located along major trade routes. The territory was rich in minerals, and the mountains were easy to defend. As a result, Edom had excellent trade relations with surrounding nations. Edom took pride in their strength, wealth, and popularity. They also considered themselves wise; after all, look how well they were doing! Obadiah's prophecy is part of a common thread in God's judgment. Often, people are repaid with the same kind of evil they subject others to. And, they frequently see their pride turned into humiliation.

According to history, shortly after this prophecy was written, Edom was defeated. The Nabateans, from Arabia, fooled the Edomites with a peaceful meeting. Once inside the borders, and with the Edomites lulled into carelessness, the Nabateans attacked and destroyed Edom. Given all of their pride, arrogance, and self-confidence, this was an embarrassing defeat. Obadiah's words directly mock the Edomites' arrogant claim to wisdom. Not only had they been beaten, but they had been deceived by an ally: "those who eat [their] bread."

This, again, hints at Edom's crimes against Israel. Since the two nations were descendants of brothers Esau and Jacob, they should have been friendly. Instead of an ally, Edom was a constant provoker against Israel. In the end, it was those Edom expected to be allies who defeated them.

Obadiah 1:1–9 predicts the total destruction of Edom, a long-standing enemy of Israel. Despite Edom's strategic location, pride, and wealth, this prophecy warns that they will be completely ruined. The people of Edom committed heinous crimes against Israel, even helping Israel's enemies capture Jewish refugees. This passage specifically mentions how the coming wrath will undo all of Edom's proudest achievements.

The nation of Edom grew from Esau, the brother of Jacob. Jacob would later be re-named ''Israel.'' Despite being so closely related, Israel had few long-term enemies as spiteful as the Edomites. In the short prophecy given by Obadiah, Edom is warned of God's judgment. Edom is particularly condemned for aiding Israel's enemies in a time of war. This warning is extended to all nations that reject God: judgment for your sin is coming, but God will be merciful to those who obey Him.

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, with only one chapter of 21 verses. In just a few words, it delivers a warning of judgment on Edom, one of Israel's oldest enemies. This passage also warns every nation that defies God that there will be a reckoning. The end of Obadiah's prophecy involves the division of land during the end times.

Obadiah is an excellent introduction to Old Testament prophecy. In just 21 verses, it covers all of the typical contents found in the prophets. Themes of wrongdoing, imminent judgment, God's mercy, and His restoration are all found in this short book. Reading Obadiah is somewhat like reading the dust jacket of a much larger novel. Obadiah is also interesting in that it is not addressed to Israel, but to the nation of Edom.