Obadiah 1 10

Obadiah 1:10 kjv

For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

Obadiah 1:10 nkjv

"For violence against your brother Jacob, Shame shall cover you, And you shall be cut off forever.

Obadiah 1:10 niv

Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.

Obadiah 1:10 esv

Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.

Obadiah 1:10 nlt

"Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel,
you will be filled with shame
and destroyed forever.

Obadiah 1 verses

Obadiah 1 10 Meaning

Obadiah 1:10 pronounces a severe and enduring judgment upon Edom: shame and utter annihilation. This retribution is a direct consequence of the "violence" (Hebrew: ḥāmās) Edom perpetrated against "Jacob," their blood brother Israel, during a time of great vulnerability for the Israelites. The verse emphasizes that Edom's sin was not merely opposition but active, aggressive betrayal of a foundational familial bond, leading to a permanent state of disgrace and complete national termination.

Obadiah 1 10 Context

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of a single chapter. The entire prophecy is directed against Edom, descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. The historical backdrop for this strong condemnation is Edom's treacherous actions during Jerusalem's catastrophic fall to the Babylonians, most likely in 586 BC. Instead of aiding their kin, the Edomites capitalized on Judah's weakness, preventing refugees from escaping, joining in the plundering of Jerusalem, and rejoicing in their brother's destruction. Verse 10 encapsulates the divine rationale for Edom's impending judgment: their cruelty stemmed from deep-seated ancient animosity, violating the sacred bond of kinship and betraying God's chosen people. Their conduct was viewed as a profound injustice demanding decisive divine retribution, not merely against a foreign nation, but against a "brother" who had acted with immense wickedness.

Obadiah 1 10 Word analysis

• For (מִפְּנֵי, mippĕnê): A causal preposition meaning "because of," "on account of," or "from the face of." It clearly establishes that the judgment which follows is a direct consequence of the specified action.

• the violence (חָמָס, ḥāmās): This is a powerful Hebrew word referring to more than mere physical force. It signifies cruel injustice, unprovoked aggression, treachery, and wrongful acts that violate justice and truth. In biblical context, ḥāmās implies a moral outrage, often leading to divine judgment (e.g., Gen 6:11 where it describes the pervasive corruption before the flood). Here, it emphasizes the profound ethical wrongness of Edom's actions.

• done to: Indicates the action was directly perpetrated against Jacob.

• your brother (אָח, ʾāḥ): Literally "brother," but highlighting the profound kinship between Edom (descended from Esau) and Israel (descended from Jacob). This familial relationship underscores the heinous nature of Edom's crime; their actions were a betrayal of brotherhood, amplifying the gravity of their ḥāmās. The term emphasizes the special covenant expectation and moral duty disregarded by Edom.

• Jacob (יַעֲקֹב, yaʿaqōḇ): Refers to the nation of Israel, personified through its patriarch. Using "Jacob" highlights the lineage and God's covenant with them, emphasizing that the violence was against God's chosen people, the inheritors of Abrahamic promises.

• shame (בֹּשֶׁת, bōsheth): Signifies disgrace, dishonor, humiliation, confusion, and utter disappointment. It refers to public ignominy, a stripping away of pride and reputation. This is not just internal guilt but external, public humiliation, which was profoundly devastating in ancient honor-shame cultures.

• shall cover you (תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ, təḵassəkkā): A vivid metaphor depicting shame as an oppressive blanket or garment completely enveloping Edom. It suggests an inescapable and overwhelming disgrace, a public exposure of their ignoble deeds and a forfeiture of their honor.

• and you shall be cut off (וְנִכְרַ֣תָּ, wəniḵrattā): From the verb כָּרַת (kārat), meaning "to cut off," "sever," "destroy," or "annihilate." While often used for individuals "cut off" from the covenant community (e.g., for covenant violations), when applied to a nation like Edom, it implies complete national extinction, permanent removal from the family of nations, and absolute dissolution. Unlike Israel's temporary exiles and promised restoration, Edom's end is final.

• forever (לְעוֹלָם, ləʿôlām): Emphasizes the permanence and unending nature of Edom's judgment and destruction. It implies that their state of being "cut off" will be perpetual, an everlasting desolation that signals the complete failure of their nation. This distinguishes their fate from that of other nations who faced temporary judgment or were later restored.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "For the violence done to your brother Jacob": This phrase precisely defines the cause of judgment. The emphasis on "violence" (ḥāmās) and "brother Jacob" intensifies the crime, revealing it as an unnatural act against kinship, driven by profound malice and opportunism. It evokes the long-standing family feud between Esau and Jacob, culminating in Edom's ultimate treachery.
  • "shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever": This twin prophecy outlines the two facets of Edom's judgment. "Shame shall cover you" speaks to their public disgrace and loss of honor, a humiliation proportionate to their arrogant pride and opportunistic joy in Judah's downfall. "Cut off forever" speaks to their complete national obliteration, an irreversible fate of divine wrath that ensures their lasting non-existence as a distinct people. These are the twin consequences for their egregious ḥāmās and fraternal betrayal.

Obadiah 1 10 Bonus section

The permanent obliteration of Edom serves as a unique prophetic type in the Bible. While other nations faced severe judgments and sometimes prolonged desolations, few were prophesied to be "cut off forever" with such finality as Edom, to the point where they are considered to have virtually vanished from history as a distinct entity. This enduring state contrasts sharply with Israel's numerous periods of exile and tribulation, yet their enduring presence and ultimate restoration are guaranteed. This stark divergence emphasizes the distinction God makes in His covenantal relationships and His sovereign justice for those who actively and relentlessly oppose His people. It highlights how divine patience can run out, leading to irreversible consequences for national sin, particularly when such sin involves overt cruelty and rejection of common humanity, especially against a 'brother.'

Obadiah 1 10 Commentary

Obadiah 1:10 delivers a severe, irreversible sentence upon Edom, rooting its catastrophic future in their past treachery. The verse articulates that God’s judgment is precise, aligning the punishment directly with the offense. Edom's pride, opportunistic plundering, and heartless rejoicing over Jerusalem's fall—actions detailed elsewhere in Obadiah—culminated in this "violence" against their kin. The term ḥāmās reveals the full depravity of their act: it was not mere opposition but a deliberate, cruel, and unjust assault, amplified by the blood-tie to Jacob. Because they abandoned brotherly duty for rapacious gain, they forfeit their national existence and honor.

The dual judgment of "shame" and being "cut off forever" signifies absolute and public downfall. The shame directly counteracts their previous boastfulness and triumphalism, transforming their gloating into enduring ignominy. Being "cut off forever" means utter extinction, a definitive end to their nationhood and heritage. This stands in stark contrast to God's continued promises and restoration for Israel, highlighting His righteous discernment among nations. This judgment also underscores a profound biblical principle: actions of unbridled violence, especially against covenant people or within established kinship, elicit the severest divine retribution. It's a testament to God's commitment to justice and His covenant.