Obadiah 1 20

Obadiah 1:20 kjv

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

Obadiah 1:20 nkjv

And the captives of this host of the children of Israel Shall possess the land of the Canaanites As far as Zarephath. The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Shall possess the cities of the South.

Obadiah 1:20 niv

This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev.

Obadiah 1:20 esv

The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb.

Obadiah 1:20 nlt

The exiles of Israel will return to their land
and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath.
The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north
will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev.

Obadiah 1 verses

Obadiah 1 20 Meaning

Obadiah 1:20 proclaims a future restoration and territorial expansion for the exiled people of Israel. It declares that two specific groups of exiles – "this host of the children of Israel" and "the exiles of Jerusalem which are in Sepharad" – will return from their places of captivity and possess land previously occupied by others. The "children of Israel" will inherit the land of the "Canaanites" as far north as Zarephath, indicating an expansion beyond their historical borders. Simultaneously, the "exiles of Jerusalem" (likely representing the southern kingdom of Judah) who are in Sepharad (a distant place of exile) will reclaim the cities of the Negev, the southern region of their traditional territory, securing borders that were often contested or under foreign influence, particularly from Edom. This verse assures a reversal of their desolate state into one of dominion and blessed inheritance by divine decree.

Obadiah 1 20 Context

The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter. Its primary message is the prophetic judgment against the nation of Edom (descendants of Esau) due to their hostile actions against Judah, specifically their gleeful participation and plundering during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (Obadiah 1:10-14). After pronouncing judgment on Edom, Obadiah shifts abruptly to prophecies concerning the restoration and ultimate victory of Israel (Obadiah 1:17-21). Obadiah 1:20 falls within this oracle of salvation for Israel. It speaks of a time when the exiles, scattered far and wide, will return and repossess their rightful land, extending their boundaries significantly. This contrasts sharply with Edom's destruction, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, even after periods of judgment and exile. Historically, this points to a post-exilic reality, looking forward to the restoration of the remnant and, by extension, a future, ultimate fulfillment for all of God's people.

Obadiah 1 20 Word analysis

• And the exiles (וּגְלֻת - u'g'lut): "Galut" (from the root galah) signifies exile, captivity, or banishment. It refers to those who have been forcibly removed from their homeland. Its use highlights the desperate state of Israel before divine intervention, emphasizing their status as dispersed, uprooted people.
• of this host (הַחֵל־הַזֶּה - ha-chayil ha-zeh): "Chayil" can mean host, army, wealth, or ability. In this context, it refers to a collective group or force, likely signifying the entire body of people from the northern kingdom, "the children of Israel," who were in exile. It denotes a specific group of captives rather than all people.
• of the children of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - bnei Yisrael): This term consistently refers to the descendants of Jacob (Israel), representing the entire nation chosen by God. Here, it may specifically refer to the exiles of the northern kingdom, implying that God's restoration encompasses all twelve tribes, even those long lost from the Assyrian captivity.
• shall possess (יִֽרְשׁוּ - yireshoo): From the verb "yarash," meaning to inherit, to take possession of, to dispossess, or to succeed. This powerful word emphasizes Israel's right to reclaim and govern the land, implying a divine transfer of ownership and authority, reversing their dispossession.
• that of the Canaanites (הַכְּנַעֲנִים - ha-k'na'anim): Refers to the original inhabitants of the Promised Land whom Israel was commanded to dispossess. Their inclusion here signifies Israel's re-establishment of sovereign control over territories once promised to them but possibly lost or partially occupied by other peoples, reasserting the original covenantal land claim.
• even unto Zarephath (עַד־צָרְפַת - ad-Tzarefat): Zarephath was a Phoenician city near Sidon, located on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre (1 Ki 17:9-10). Its mention indicates a significant expansion of Israel's borders far to the north beyond what was historically considered their primary territory, signifying vast and secure dominion.
• and the exiles (וְגָלֻת - v'galut): Again, referring to those in captivity, this marks the second group of exiles mentioned in the verse.
• of Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ֽם - Yerushalaim): Represents the southern kingdom of Judah, the exiles from the capital city, largely carried away to Babylon. This distinguishes them from the "children of Israel" who might encompass earlier exiles from the north.
• which are in Sepharad (אֲשֶׁר בִּסְפָרַד - asher bi-Sfarad): The location of Sepharad is debated by scholars, often associated with Sardis in Lydia (modern Turkey) or another distant region in Asia Minor or Mesopotamia. Regardless of precise location, its significance lies in indicating a far-flung, widespread exile, suggesting that God will gather His people even from the most distant places of their dispersion.
• shall possess (יִֽרְשׁוּ - yireshoo): The same verb as before, reaffirming the right and ability of these Jerusalem exiles to also take back their allotted inheritance.
• the cities of the South (עָרֵי הַנֶּגֶב - arei ha-Negev): "Negev" is the arid southern region of Judah, bordering Edom and other desert areas. This region was strategically important but often vulnerable. Their repossession of these cities implies securing Judah's traditional southern border and even potentially extending into areas historically influenced by Edom, thus linking directly to Obadiah's preceding judgments.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the exiles of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath": This phrase speaks to the return and expansive inheritance of a broad representation of the tribes of Israel. It implies reclaiming ancient promises, asserting dominance over historical adversaries ("Canaanites"), and pushing national boundaries northward beyond previous extent to "Zarephath," signaling an unparalleled territorial expansion and security given by God.
• "and the exiles of Jerusalem, which are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the South": This segment focuses specifically on the return of Judah's exiles from a distant land ("Sepharad"). Their re-possession of the "cities of the South" (the Negev) secures and re-establishes the heartland of Judah, an area frequently threatened. This twofold promise of possession, one expansive and the other consolidative, assures comprehensive restoration for the entirety of God's covenant people, bringing an end to their humiliation and vulnerability.

Obadiah 1 20 Bonus section

The mention of Zarephath and Sepharad points to the profound breadth of the Babylonian and Assyrian captivities, highlighting that Israel's dispersion was wide-ranging. Yet, from every point of exile, God promises their return. This passage foreshadows not only the partial returns under Zerubbabel and Ezra but also greater eschatological fulfillment for the nation of Israel. Spiritually, it can also echo the concept of believers, who were once "aliens and strangers" (Eph 2:19), now "possessing" an inheritance in Christ and the expansion of the Gospel, which gathers people from all nations into God's spiritual kingdom. The prophecy asserts divine sovereignty over geographical and political realities, ensuring that God's plan for His people will ultimately prevail.

Obadiah 1 20 Commentary

Obadiah 1:20 serves as a powerful declaration of God's unswerving faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel, even in the aftermath of severe judgment and exile. Following the dire pronouncement against Edom, this verse pivots to offer a radiant vision of Israel's future. It reveals a multifaceted restoration: a physical return of various exiled groups, a re-establishment of their national identity and sovereignty, and a significant expansion of their territory. The inclusion of Zarephath in the north and the cities of the Negev in the south illustrates a dominion that surpasses historical boundaries, emphasizing a security and prosperity granted directly by God. The use of "possess" highlights God's initiative in reversing their dispossession, indicating not merely a return but a powerful reclaiming of inheritance and authority. This prophecy undergirds the larger biblical narrative of God's commitment to His people, providing a message of hope for future fulfillment beyond immediate historical returns.