Obadiah 1 7

Obadiah 1:7 kjv

All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; that they eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.

Obadiah 1:7 nkjv

All the men in your confederacy Shall force you to the border; The men at peace with you Shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it.

Obadiah 1:7 niv

All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.

Obadiah 1:7 esv

All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you ? you have no understanding.

Obadiah 1:7 nlt

"All your allies will turn against you.
They will help to chase you from your land.
They will promise you peace
while plotting to deceive and destroy you.
Your trusted friends will set traps for you,
and you won't even know about it.

Obadiah 1 verses

Obadiah 1 7 Meaning

Obadiah 1:7 proclaims a profound and bitter reversal of fortune for Edom. It prophesies that those whom Edom considered their allies, those with whom they had covenants, peace, and shared hospitality, would utterly betray them. These former friends would drive Edom to its territorial limits, deceive them, overcome them, and lay a hidden snare. This complete subversion of trust reveals Edom’s ultimate folly and lack of spiritual discernment in relying on human strength and alliances rather than the Divine, leading to their complete downfall and isolation.

Obadiah 1 7 Context

Obadiah's prophecy is singularly focused on the nation of Edom, descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. The book addresses Edom's severe sin of "violence against your brother Jacob" (v. 10). Historically, this refers to Edom's hostile actions during the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians around 586 BC. Instead of aiding their kin, Edomites stood by, gloated, rejoiced in Judah's misfortune, plundered their refugees, and even participated in the slaughter and handover of fleeing Israelites (v. 11-14).

Verse 7 directly builds on the earlier indictment of Edom's pride and reliance on its "wise men" (v. 3-4, 8) and military might (v. 3). Edom, strategically located in mountain strongholds and historically known for its wisdom (e.g., Teman, Jer 49:7), mistakenly believed in its invincibility and the strength of its alliances. Obadiah 1:7 shatters this illusion by revealing that Edom's downfall will come from within their very network of trusted political and social ties. Just as Edom betrayed Jacob, so too would their most intimate associates betray them. It underscores divine poetic justice, where the method of punishment mirrors the original offense.

Obadiah 1 7 Word analysis

• All the men of your confederacy: This phrase refers to Edom's formal allies, nations with whom they had entered into treaties or covenants. The Hebrew word for "confederacy" is בְּרִית (berit), often translated as "covenant" or "treaty." The phrase "all the men" emphasizes the completeness of the coming betrayal, leaving Edom no trusted outside support.
• have driven you to the border: The Hebrew phrase is שִׁלְּחוּךָ עַד-גְּבוּלֶךָ (shillechukha ʿad gevulekha). "Driven you" (שִׁלְּחוּךָ, shillechukha) implies active expulsion, abandonment, or being forced out. "To the border" (עַד-גְּבוּלֶךָ, ʿad gevulekha) suggests not merely being sent away, but being pushed to the very limits of their territory or safety, signifying loss of security, power, or even exile. It highlights their vulnerable state.
• the men who were at peace with you: This specifies another level of betrayal. "Men who were at peace with you" is אַנְשֵׁי שְׁלֹמֶךָ (anshe shlomekha), meaning "men of your peace" or "men of your well-being." This describes individuals or nations with whom Edom shared friendly, trusted, and intimate relations, extending beyond mere political alliances to a deeper bond of peace and welfare. Their treachery is therefore even more poignant.
• have deceived you and prevailed against you: Two actions combined. "Deceived you" (הִשִּׁיאוּךָ, hishi'uka) means they were misled, enticed, or tricked by their allies. This indicates a hidden agenda and treacherous intent. "Prevailed against you" (יָכְלוּ לָךְ, yakhelu lakh) signifies that the deception was effective, leading to Edom being overpowered or overcome, demonstrating the success of the allies' treachery.
• those who eat your bread: This refers to guests or close associates with whom Edom shared meals. In ancient Near Eastern culture, "eating bread" with someone symbolized deep fellowship, loyalty, and covenantal relationship (Psa 41:9; John 13:18). Betrayal by those who shared hospitality was considered the deepest form of treachery, as it violated the sacred bond of guest-host.
• have laid an ambush for you: The Hebrew reads שָׂמוּ מָזוֹר תַּחְתֶּיךָ (samu mazor taḥteykha), literally "placed a wound/snare under you." "Laid an ambush" conveys the true intent: a hidden, malicious trap set to cause harm or destruction. "Ambush" indicates a premeditated act of treachery, waiting for the opportune moment to strike Edom. The depth of betrayal is further emphasized, as it is a concealed and calculated attack by those who appeared as friends.
• There is no understanding in him: אֵין תְּבוּנָה בּוֹ (ein tevunah bo). "No understanding" (אֵין תְּבוּנָה, ein tevunah) signifies a profound lack of wisdom, discernment, or spiritual insight. The "him" refers to Edom, despite their historical reputation for wisdom. This closing phrase identifies the root cause of Edom's vulnerability and downfall: their spiritual blindness and foolishness in trusting in flawed human alliances rather than seeking divine guidance or understanding God's judgment and purposes for Jacob. They failed to grasp the spiritual reality of their own sin and the true nature of their alliances.

Obadiah 1 7 Bonus section

The repeated motif of "betrayal by those closest" (eating bread, peace, confederacy) serves as a dramatic mirror to Edom's own betrayal of their brother, Jacob, in his time of need. This highlights a fundamental theological truth: God orchestrates events such that consequences often perfectly fit the sin, even utilizing the very mechanisms of human deceit that one might have employed against others. This judgment underscores the futility of human-centered security systems and alliances when divorced from righteousness and God's will. Edom’s famed wisdom from Teman (Jer 49:7) proved utterly useless in discerning the true nature of their relationships and God’s impending judgment. Their intellectual arrogance and self-sufficiency led to a complete lack of spiritual understanding, sealing their fate.

Obadiah 1 7 Commentary

Obadiah 1:7 presents a powerful and ironic indictment of Edom, demonstrating God’s principle of lex talionis—retribution in kind. Edom, who glorified themselves in their strategic wisdom and secure mountain dwelling (Obadiah 1:3-4) and readily participated in Judah’s downfall, will face a mirrored judgment. Their greatest perceived strengths—their alliances and trusted relationships—will become the very instruments of their undoing. The meticulous detail of betrayal: by formal allies (confederacy), by peaceful companions, and even by those sharing their hospitality, highlights the comprehensive nature of Edom's isolation and humiliation. This prophetic word shatters Edom's self-deception and misplaced trust, culminating in the chilling declaration that "there is no understanding in him," pointing to their profound spiritual blindness. Their self-reliance and cruel actions against Judah sealed their fate, manifesting divine justice through human agents they least suspected. It's a sober reminder that trusting in anything other than God ultimately leads to folly and devastating betrayal.