Obadiah 1:2 kjv
Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
Obadiah 1:2 nkjv
"Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You shall be greatly despised.
Obadiah 1:2 niv
"See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.
Obadiah 1:2 esv
Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised.
Obadiah 1:2 nlt
The LORD says to Edom,
"I will cut you down to size among the nations;
you will be greatly despised.
Obadiah 1 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | Principle: Pride leads to downfall. |
| Isa 10:12-19 | God will punish the proud king of Assyria, who boasts of his strength... | God's judgment on a proud, conquering nation. |
| Isa 14:12-15 | How you have fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!... | Humiliation of the arrogant (Lucifer). |
| Jer 49:7-22 | Concerning Edom... Your dreaded reputation has deceived you... | Extensive prophecy against Edom's downfall. |
| Lam 4:21-22 | Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz; The cup shall pass through to you as well... | Prophecy of Edom's suffering after Judah's. |
| Ezek 25:12-14 | Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah... I will lay my vengeance on Edom..." | Edom's punishment for hostility to Judah. |
| Ezek 35:1-15 | Prophecy against Mount Seir (Edom), declaring its desolation for eternal hatred toward Israel. | Detailed prophecy of Edom's ruin. |
| Joel 3:19 | "Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness..." | Edom included in nations facing desolation. |
| Amos 1:11-12 | Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother..." | Edom's specific sin against Israel. |
| Mal 1:2-5 | "I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hills and his heritage..." | God's continued rejection and desolation of Edom. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another. | God's sovereignty over exalting and humbling. |
| Job 12:21 | He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong. | God's power to humble the mighty. |
| Prov 29:23 | A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. | General truth: Pride leads to humiliation. |
| Ps 37:35-36 | I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a luxuriant native tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; when I sought him, he could not be found. | The transience of the proud and mighty. |
| Dan 4:37 | Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven... those who walk in pride He is able to humble. | God's ability to humble the proud, as experienced by Nebuchadnezzar. |
| Hab 2:5 | Indeed, wine betrays him; he is a proud man and never at rest... | Describes the restlessness of the proud. |
| Jer 50:31-32 | "Behold, I am against you, O proud one," declares the Lord GOD of hosts... | God's direct opposition to the proud. |
| Zech 1:15 | "I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was only a little angry, they furthered the disaster." | God's wrath on nations that exceed their boundaries in persecuting Israel. |
| 1 Pet 5:5-6 | ...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you... | NT echo of God's opposition to the proud and exalting the humble. |
| Jas 4:6 | ...God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. | Direct statement of God's posture against pride. |
| Rev 18:7-8 | As she glorified herself and lived in luxury... her plagues will come in a single day... | Future judgment on proud, self-glorifying entities. |
| Isa 60:12 | For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste. | Principle of nations being made small for not serving God/Israel. |
Obadiah 1 verses
Obadiah 1 2 Meaning
Obadiah 1:2 declares God's solemn decree concerning Edom. It prophesies that God Himself will intentionally diminish Edom's national stature, reducing its power and influence among the surrounding nations. Furthermore, Edom will be subjected to intense contempt and scorn, becoming utterly disgraced in the eyes of others. This pronouncement highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His active role in humbling the proud.
Obadiah 1 2 Context
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, entirely focused on a prophecy concerning the judgment of Edom. Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's brother), shared a familial yet historically antagonistic relationship with Israel. Their pride stemmed from their strategically secure dwelling in the mountainous regions, including the formidable city of Sela (Petra), which they believed made them impregnable (v. 3).
This specific verse, Obadiah 1:2, directly counters Edom's self-perception and presumed strength. It is a direct word from God declaring an imminent and radical change in Edom's status. The immediate context of Obadiah 1:2 is a divine announcement, following verse 1 which introduces the "vision of Obadiah." The precise historical event prompting this intense judgment is most likely Edom's behavior during Judah's calamitous fall to Babylon, specifically their active participation, complicity, or indifferent watching as Jerusalem was sacked (vv. 10-14). Their failure to aid their "brother" and, instead, even gloating and plundering, cemented God's righteous wrath against them.
Obadiah 1 2 Word analysis
Behold (הִנֵּה, hinneh): This interjection serves as an emphatic particle, demanding attention to what is about to be said. It signals the certainty and immediate impact of the divine pronouncement. It conveys that this is a solemn declaration from the LORD, not a mere prediction.
I will make you (אֶעֱשֶׂךָּ, e'esekha): This is a direct first-person verb from God, signifying divine agency. It shows that Edom's diminishment is not a result of chance or external circumstances alone, but a deliberate act of God's will. The active voice highlights God's sovereignty over the destiny of nations.
small (קָטֹן, qaton): Literally meaning "small," "little," or "insignificant." This term describes Edom's future geopolitical standing and influence. From their prideful boasting of dwelling in impregnable heights, God will reduce their power, prestige, and land holdings, rendering them utterly inconsequential among the mighty nations of the world.
among the nations (בַּגּוֹיִם, baggoyim): This phrase emphasizes the public nature of Edom's downfall. Their diminished status would be evident for all surrounding peoples to see and acknowledge. It positions Edom's judgment within the broader scope of international relations and God's dealings with the entire world.
you shall be (אַתָּה, attah): A direct second-person pronoun, directly addressing Edom, making the prophecy personal and inescapable.
greatly despised (נִבְזֶה מְאֹד, nivzeh me'od):
- Despised (נִבְזֶה, nivzeh): Derived from the root "bazah" (בזה), meaning to scorn, disdain, or hold in contempt. It signifies being considered worthless or of no account. This contrasts sharply with Edom's self-perception of strength and dread.
- Greatly (מְאֹד, me'od): An intensifier, meaning "very much," "exceedingly," or "utterly." It emphasizes the severe and pervasive nature of the contempt Edom would experience. It would not just be lightly scorned, but utterly and completely disdained.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Behold, I will make you small": This phrase introduces the radical shift in Edom's perceived and actual status. God Himself is the agent, reducing a proud, supposedly formidable nation to insignificance. This highlights divine sovereignty and righteous retribution against arrogance.
- "among the nations; you shall be greatly despised": This completes the picture of Edom's future. Not only will they lose their power and influence, but they will also suffer widespread and intense scorn from those very nations among whom they once sought to distinguish themselves. The judgment is both geopolitical and reputational, a public disgrace for a proud people.
Obadiah 1 2 Bonus section
The historical fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the eventual demise and disappearance of Edom as a distinct nation. While they maintained a presence as Idumeans in later periods, they were progressively diminished, subsumed, and ultimately absorbed by other cultures, losing their national identity by the Roman period, particularly after the fall of Masada. This complete cessation as a national entity aligns with the prophetic pronouncements of being made "small" and "greatly despised," leading to their eventual desolation mentioned in Malachi 1. This fate serves as a powerful testament to God's word and His unwavering justice against those who betray His people and uplift themselves in arrogance.
Obadiah 1 2 Commentary
Obadiah 1:2 stands as God's categorical denunciation of Edom's self-assured pride. This is a prophetic irony, as Edom, known for its haughtiness and dwelling in seemingly impregnable rock fortresses, would be brought low by divine action. The prophecy highlights that human strength and perceived security are ultimately inconsequential when confronted by the will of the Almighty. The divine judgment would render Edom numerically, militarily, and economically insignificant, effectively removing them from a position of any perceived power or influence. The "greatly despised" element speaks to a loss of respect and a condition of abject contempt, which is particularly severe for a proud nation. This degradation served as a stark reminder of divine justice: just as Edom had looked on Jerusalem's downfall with contempt and acted with betrayal, so too would they experience their own humiliating decline in the sight of the nations. It underscores the universal biblical principle that God opposes the proud but exalts the humble.