Obadiah 1 8

Obadiah 1:8 kjv

Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?

Obadiah 1:8 nkjv

"Will I not in that day," says the LORD, "Even destroy the wise men from Edom, And understanding from the mountains of Esau?

Obadiah 1:8 niv

"In that day," declares the LORD, "will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?

Obadiah 1:8 esv

Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau?

Obadiah 1:8 nlt

At that time not a single wise person
will be left in the whole land of Edom,"
says the LORD.
"For on the mountains of Edom
I will destroy everyone who has understanding.

Obadiah 1 verses

Obadiah 1 8 Meaning

Obadiah 1:8 proclaims a divine declaration of judgment upon Edom, emphasizing that God Himself will utterly dismantle their renowned wisdom and strategic understanding. This means the complete destruction of Edom's perceived intellectual superiority, the incapacitation of their wise leaders, counselors, and strategists, and the rendering useless of all their plans and alliances. It signifies the absolute futility of human wisdom when it stands in opposition to or defiance of the sovereign will of the LORD, highlighting God's power to undermine and nullify all human schemes and boasts.

Obadiah 1 8 Context

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, a prophetic oracle almost entirely dedicated to pronouncing divine judgment upon Edom, the descendants of Esau. This verse fits within a larger context detailing Edom's specific crimes—their pride (Obad 1:3) and, most notably, their egregious treachery against their "brother" Judah during a time of national catastrophe (Obad 1:10-14). Edom not only rejoiced at Judah's downfall but actively participated in looting and obstructing refugees. The prophet proclaims that the day of the LORD's judgment is drawing near for all nations (Obad 1:15), and Edom, despite its geographical advantages (Mount Seir) and renowned wisdom, will face complete annihilation. The historical context reflects a period following a significant invasion of Judah (possibly by Philistines, Arabs, or Babylonians) where Edom chose to align with Judah's enemies rather than showing kinship. Obadiah 1:8 directly follows the declaration of Edom's betrayal by their allies (Obad 1:7), setting the stage for their internal collapse.

Obadiah 1 8 Word analysis

• "Shall I not": (Hebrew: הֲלֹא, hălōʾ) This is a rhetorical question in Hebrew that expects a strong affirmative answer. It functions as an emphatic declaration, stressing the certainty and divine intention behind the upcoming action. It conveys a sense of indignant justice from God.
• "in that day": (Hebrew: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyōwm hahūʾ) Refers to a specific, decisive point in time—the "day of the LORD" for Edom. This phrase is used throughout prophetic literature to denote a period of divine intervention, typically for judgment and often for salvation. For Edom, it signals the day of their catastrophic downfall.
• "says the LORD": (Hebrew: נְאֻם יְהוָה, neʾum Yahweh) This is a crucial prophetic formula affirming the divine origin and absolute authority of the pronouncement. It signifies that these are not human words but a direct utterance from the covenant God, YHWH.
• "even destroy": (Hebrew: וְהַאֲבַדְתִּי, wəhaʾăvaḏtî) From the root אָבַד ('avad), meaning "to perish, destroy, bring to ruin, lose, be cut off." The causative form (hiphil) emphasizes God as the active agent causing their destruction. It conveys utter ruin, making something cease to exist or be effective.
• "the wise men": (Hebrew: חֲכָמִים, ḥakāmîm) Plural of חָכָם (ḥakam), referring to sages, counselors, skilled advisors, or intellectual elites. Edom was famously known for its wisdom, particularly its city Teman (cf. Jer 49:7). These were the individuals on whom Edom relied for strategic advice, political insight, and military counsel. The destruction of these men means the removal of their leadership's intellectual capacity and the very foundation of their nation's policy and governance.
• "out of Edom": (Hebrew: מֵאֱדוֹם, mêʾĕḏōwm) Literally "from Edom." Signifies a comprehensive removal from the entire nation and its populace.
• "and understanding": (Hebrew: תְּבוּנָה, təḇunāh) Refers to discernment, insight, skill, intelligence, or shrewdness. It is the practical application of wisdom—the capacity to comprehend situations and make sound judgments. While "wise men" are the individuals, "understanding" is the faculty itself. Its destruction means Edom will lose not just its wise advisors but its very ability to think clearly, plan effectively, or discern the path forward. This renders their national strength impotent.
• "out of the mount of Esau": (Hebrew: מֵהַר עֵשָׂו, mêhar ʿēśāw) A poetic and geographical synonym for Edom. Mount Seir was the rugged, mountainous stronghold of Edom, symbolizing its perceived security, inaccessibility, and defensive strength. The phrase signifies that the judgment will permeate to the very core of their territory and their perceived seat of power, leaving no part untouched.

Obadiah 1 8 Bonus section

The ancient Near East placed high value on "wisdom" as practical statecraft, political shrewdness, and strategic military counsel, distinct from a modern academic concept. Edom’s wisdom was likely respected for its ability to navigate alliances and maintain its mountainous strongholds. By targeting their "wise men" and "understanding," God directly attacks Edom's perceived strategic advantage and means of self-preservation. The irony is poignant: the very thing Edom relied upon for survival—their insight and cleverness—is the very thing God promises to dismantle, leading to their disorientation and total vulnerability, directly linking to Obadiah 1:7 where their allies turn against them, a direct result of their understanding being destroyed, making their political maneuvering futile. This highlights a recurring biblical theme: the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God, and He often uses "foolish" means to confound the wise (1 Cor 1:19-20).

Obadiah 1 8 Commentary

Obadiah 1:8 delivers a forceful divine promise that dismantles Edom's chief source of pride and self-reliance: its acclaimed wisdom and strategic intelligence. While other nations might boast of their military might or wealth, Edom was distinguished by its sagacity (Jer 49:7). This verse declares that in the impending "day of the LORD," this very asset will be supernaturally eradicated by God Himself. The "wise men" and their "understanding" —representing Edom's intellectual elite, their ability to devise shrewd plans, forge alliances, and navigate geopolitical complexities—will be rendered null and void. This is not merely a loss of human resource but a divine intervention that removes the very capacity for sound judgment, leading to complete disorientation and ultimate destruction. It's a profound polemic against reliance on human cleverness, showing that no human strategy, no matter how profound, can circumvent God's decreed judgment. Edom’s downfall becomes an enduring lesson that all national pride, particularly in intellectual and strategic prowess, is utterly vain against the sovereign will of the Almighty. The divine judgment ensures that their "understanding" will not enable them to avoid their fate or mitigate their demise, demonstrating God's absolute supremacy over all human wisdom.