Obadiah 1 14

Obadiah 1:14 kjv

Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.

Obadiah 1:14 nkjv

You should not have stood at the crossroads To cut off those among them who escaped; Nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained In the day of distress.

Obadiah 1:14 niv

You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble.

Obadiah 1:14 esv

Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.

Obadiah 1:14 nlt

You should not have stood at the crossroads,
killing those who tried to escape.
You should not have captured the survivors
and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.

Obadiah 1 verses

Obadiah 1 14 Meaning

Obadiah 1:14 condemns Edom for two grave sins committed against the fleeing Judeans during the destruction of Jerusalem: firstly, for strategically positioning themselves at escape routes (crossroads) to prevent survivors from escaping and to capture them; and secondly, for actively surrendering or handing over the remaining fugitives, those who had narrowly escaped the main calamity, to their enemies, the Babylonians, ensuring their demise or captivity. This act was a profound betrayal of their kinsfolk in their direst moment.

Obadiah 1 14 Context

The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter. It delivers a divine judgment against the nation of Edom. The historical context of verse 14 is crucial: it immediately follows the devastating destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC. During this catastrophic event, Judah, as the "brother" nation to Edom (descendants of Jacob and Esau, respectively), was at its most vulnerable. Instead of offering aid or showing compassion, Edom actively participated in Judah's distress, gloating over their misfortune (v. 12), plundering their possessions (v. 13), and, as specified in this verse, intercepting and delivering up those who attempted to escape the carnage. Obadiah pronounces judgment upon Edom for this specific, cruel betrayal and their ongoing, deep-seated animosity toward Judah, framing their actions as a direct affront to God's chosen people.

Obadiah 1 14 Word analysis

• You should not have stood (לֹא־תַעֲמֹ֤ד lo-ta'amod):

  • lo: negation "not".
  • ta'amod: from amad (עמד), meaning "to stand, to remain, to endure." Here, it carries the force of "to take a stand against" or "to position oneself (with hostile intent)."
  • Significance: It implies active, deliberate positioning, not mere passive observation. Edom did not just watch; they were strategically present to act.

• at the crossroads (עַל־הַפֶּ֙רֶק֙ 'al-hapereq):

  • 'al: preposition "on, at."
  • hapereq: from pereq (פרק), meaning "a break, a fork, a crossroad." It specifically refers to a place where paths diverge, thus an escape route or a critical choke point for those fleeing.
  • Significance: This was a place where people would seek escape or dispersal, and Edom used it to their predatory advantage.

• to cut off (לְהַכְרִ֖ית lehaḵrit):

  • le: preposition "to."
  • haḵrit: from karat (כרת), meaning "to cut, to cut off, to sever." In this context, it refers to violent interruption and extermination.
  • Significance: Their intention was lethal. They were not just intercepting but actively destroying lives, effectively severing the path of survival for the fugitives.

• their fugitives (פְּלִיטָֽיו pelitāyv):

  • pelitāyv: from palit (פליט), meaning "a survivor, a fugitive, one who has escaped." The suffix refers to Judah.
  • Significance: These were the most vulnerable, having just survived the primary devastation, making Edom's act even more heinous.

• Nor should you have delivered up (וְלֹֽא־הִסְגַּרְתָּ֥ velo-hisgarttā):

  • ve: "and."
  • lo: negation "not."
  • hisgarttā: from sāgar (סגר), meaning "to shut up, to close." In the Hiphil stem, it means "to deliver up, to hand over, to surrender."
  • Significance: This indicates complicity and active participation in the enemy's destructive work, turning over their own brethren.

• those of His who survived (שְׂרִידָיו֙ śridāv):

  • śridāv: from śarid (שריד), meaning "a remnant, one left over." Also refers to Judah's survivors.
  • Significance: Reaffirms the plight of those barely escaping with their lives, now betrayed by supposed kinsmen.

• in the day of distress (בְּי֥וֹם צָרָֽה bəyôm ṣārā):

  • bə: preposition "in."
  • yôm: "day."
  • ṣārā: from tsara (צרה), meaning "distress, trouble, adversity, affliction."
  • Significance: Refers directly to the specific calamitous event of Jerusalem's fall (586 BC), highlighting Edom's opportunism and lack of empathy during their brother's utmost suffering. This phrase appears often in prophetic books depicting judgment and ruin.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off their fugitives: This phrase condemns Edom's active ambush and murderous intent. They deliberately placed themselves at escape routes, effectively sealing the fate of the fleeing Judeans. This wasn't passive observation; it was a premeditated act of hostile interception.
• Nor should you have delivered up those of His who survived in the day of distress: This highlights Edom's profound treachery. Not content with obstructing escape, they actively apprehended those who did make it through and handed them over to the invading Babylonian forces, guaranteeing their death or enslavement. This speaks to a deep, unbrotherly malice.

Obadiah 1 14 Bonus section

The Edomite actions described here resonate with the principle of "lex talionis" (Obadiah 1:15), where what they did to Judah would ultimately be done to them. Historically, Edom later suffered significant destructions by various empires (e.g., Nabateans, Hasmoneans), eventually disappearing as a distinct national entity. This serves as a potent biblical lesson about the consequences of aiding in the persecution of God's people. The "crossroads" metaphor also suggests a point of decision for Edom, where they chose active cruelty over empathy or even neutrality, further intensifying their guilt. This behavior directly contravened ancient Near Eastern hospitality codes and, more importantly, the familial bond established through Jacob and Esau.

Obadiah 1 14 Commentary

Obadiah 1:14 vividly portrays Edom's particularly abhorrent actions during the destruction of Jerusalem. Their sin went beyond merely rejoicing or plundering; it was active complicity in violence against their distressed kinsmen. By positioning themselves at crucial escape points, the "crossroads," Edom became a second wave of predators. They literally cut off paths to freedom and survival for the vulnerable Judean "fugitives." Furthermore, they were not just blocking, but actively "delivering up" those who had miraculously survived the city's fall to the enemy. This level of collaboration with the oppressor and active cruelty against a weakened "brother" highlights the depth of their moral depravity and explains the severity of God's coming judgment on Edom as prophesied in the remainder of the book. This betrayal of kinship in a moment of supreme vulnerability served as a direct affront to God, who considers an attack on His people as an attack on Himself.