Obadiah 1:15 kjv
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
Obadiah 1:15 nkjv
"For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; As you have done, it shall be done to you; Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.
Obadiah 1:15 niv
"The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
Obadiah 1:15 esv
For 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.
Obadiah 1:15 nlt
"The day is near when I, the LORD,
will judge all godless nations!
As you have done to Israel,
so it will be done to you.
All your evil deeds
will fall back on your own heads.
Obadiah 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Joel 1:15 | Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near... | Imminence of the Day of the LORD |
| Joel 3:14 | Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD... | Day of the LORD as a day of judgment |
| Zeph 1:7 | Be silent before the Lord GOD! For the day of the LORD is near... | God's impending judgment on nations |
| Isa 2:12 | For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon all that is proud... | Day of the LORD as judgment on human pride |
| Mal 4:5 | Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. | Future and dreadfulness of the Day of the LORD |
| Acts 2:20 | The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and magnificent day of the Lord comes. | Cosmic signs before the Day of the Lord |
| 2 Pet 3:10 | But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens... | Sudden and destructive coming of the Day of the Lord |
| Judg 1:7 | Adoni-bezek said, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off... as I have done, so God has repaid me." | Early principle of retribution |
| Ps 7:16 | His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violence shall come down on his own scalp. | Similar language of consequence |
| Ps 9:15 | The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid... | Nations caught in their own devices |
| Ps 137:8 | O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you as you have done to us! | Lex talionis in judgment against oppressors |
| Prov 1:31 | So they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be sated with their own devices. | Natural consequence of one's actions |
| Isa 33:1 | Ah, you destroyer, who have yourself not been destroyed... when you have finished destroying, others will destroy you. | Principle of those who destroy being destroyed |
| Jer 50:15 | Shout against her all around; she has surrendered... for the LORD has taken vengeance... deal with her as she has done. | Vengeance according to what was done |
| Ezek 7:27 | The king shall mourn, the prince shall be wrapped in despair... According to their way I will do to them. | Recompense matching actions |
| Matt 7:2 | For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. | New Testament reiteration of judgment principle |
| Luke 6:38 | Give, and it will be given to you... For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. | Measure for measure applies to good as well |
| Gal 6:7 | Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. | Universal spiritual law of sowing and reaping |
| Rev 18:6 | Pay her back as she herself has paid, and render to her double for her deeds. | Divine command for proportional judgment |
| Jer 25:15 | Take this cup of the wine of wrath from my hand, and make all the nations... drink it. | Universal judgment on nations |
Obadiah 1 verses
Obadiah 1 15 Meaning
Obadiah 1:15 proclaims the universal and certain principle of divine retribution. It declares the "Day of the LORD" as imminent for "all the nations," not just Edom. The verse asserts that God's justice operates on a "measure for measure" basis: the harm one inflicts upon others, specifically exemplified by Edom's treachery against Judah, will inevitably return upon oneself. This serves as a solemn warning that evil actions carry self-inflicted consequences, ordained by God, ensuring ultimate accountability for every deed.
Obadiah 1 15 Context
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter. It primarily delivers a prophetic oracle against Edom, the descendants of Esau and historical rivals of Israel (descendants of Jacob). The immediate context of verse 15 follows God's condemnation of Edom for their actions when Jerusalem was under attack and plundered (likely by the Babylonians around 586 BC). Edom stood aloof, rejoiced in Judah's misfortune, blocked fleeing Israelites, and even looted alongside the invaders. Verse 15 broadens this specific judgment on Edom into a universal principle, signaling that a "Day of the LORD" is coming for all nations. This day will entail a just recompense for their actions, echoing Edom's fate but applying to all who oppose God's people or moral order.
Obadiah 1 15 Word analysis
- For (כִּֽי - kī): A conjunction introducing a causal explanation or emphasizing a preceding statement. It highlights the divine reasoning behind the pronouncements against Edom and, by extension, all nations.
- the day of the LORD (יוֹם יְהֹוָה֙ - yōm YHVH): A central prophetic theme signifying a time when God intervenes directly in human history, often with devastating judgment upon His enemies and deliverance for His people. It implies a definitive, sovereign act of divine power, demonstrating His justice and authority over all creation.
- is near (קָר֣וֹב - qārōv): Implies imminence from God's perspective, though it may not be immediate in human terms. It signifies certainty and that the appointed time is at hand, compelling a sense of urgency.
- upon all the nations (עַל־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֑ם - ʿal kol-haggōyim): Crucial for broadening the scope. While specifically condemning Edom, the judgment principle is universal, applying to every gentile nation. This is a powerful declaration of God's sovereign rule over all peoples, challenging any pagan belief in localized deities.
- as thou hast done (כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֙יתָ֙ - kaʾăšer ʿāśîtā): Direct address to Edom (implied from the preceding verses). This refers to their malicious and treacherous actions against Judah: their joy over Jerusalem's fall, their looting, and their blocking of escapees. It highlights the specific and grievous nature of their sin.
- it shall be done unto thee (יֵעָ֣שֶׂה לָּ֔ךְ - yēʿāśeh lāḵ): The passive voice strongly implies divine agency. God Himself ensures the retribution. This is not simply a natural consequence but an enforced decree, ensuring exact, just reciprocation for their actions.
- thy reward (גְּמֻלְךָ֙ - gəmūlkā): Refers to "recompense," "requital," or "what is deserved." It carries the meaning of the outcome of one's actions, whether good or bad. Here, it specifically denotes punitive retribution for evil deeds.
- shall return (יָשׁ֖וּב - yāšūḇ): Emphasizes inevitability and a cyclical justice. What was sent out, will come back. The act and its consequence are directly linked and inseparable.
- upon thine own head (בְּרֹאשֶֽׁךָ - bərōʾšekā): An idiomatic expression common in Hebrew scripture, signifying that the consequences of one's actions fall directly upon the perpetrator, implying personal accountability and direct suffering.
Obadiah 1 15 Bonus section
The concept of lex talionis (retributive justice – an eye for an eye) in ancient Near Eastern law and even Mosaic law finds its divine enforcement here. However, it's not a call for human vengeance, but a prophetic declaration of God's certain judgment. Obadiah’s message, while specific to Edom's treachery (a type of 'brother' betraying another), broadens to encompass universal principles of divine justice applicable to all who stand against God's purposes or act maliciously. The fall of Edom serves as a tangible, historical example of this inevitable "Day of the LORD" where nations receive according to their deeds. This prophecy, fulfilled in part through Edom's eventual decline and disappearance, serves as a timeless theological warning about the consequences of pride and malice.
Obadiah 1 15 Commentary
Obadiah 1:15 stands as a profound statement on God's universal justice. The "Day of the LORD" is presented as a guaranteed future event, not just for Edom, but for all nations that operate by injustice. The verse establishes the foundational principle of divine retribution: the evil inflicted upon others will be justly repaid upon the aggressor. This "measure for measure" principle reveals God as the righteous judge who balances the scales, ensuring that no malicious act against His people or His moral order goes unpunished. It signifies that divine justice is both precise and inescapable, echoing throughout scripture that sowing evil yields a bitter harvest for the perpetrator. This truth serves as both a comfort for the oppressed and a warning to the oppressor, showcasing God's sovereignty over history and His unwavering commitment to righteousness.