What does Obadiah 1:5 mean?
“If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, ( how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?” — Obadiah 1:5
The Bible verse Obadiah 1:5 from the King James Version states, "If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?"
The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, containing only 21 verses. It is a prophetic book, and the author is traditionally identified as the prophet Obadiah, although not much is known about him. The book is a message of judgment against the nation of Edom, a people who were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. The verse in question is part of a longer passage in which the prophet is describing the destruction and judgment that will come upon Edom.
The verse uses imagery of thieves and grapegatherers to make a point about the severity of Edom's judgment. The comparison of Edom to thieves and grapegatherers serves to illustrate the thoroughness and completeness of Edom's destruction. The question posed in the verse is rhetorical, as the answer is obvious – thieves and grapegatherers would take only what they needed, but Edom will be utterly destroyed.
The imagery of thieves and robbers by night conveys the idea of violence and stealth. These are not honest or fair interactions, but rather acts of aggression and deceit. The image of thieves coming at night also suggests that Edom will be caught unaware, unable to defend itself or protect its possessions. This adds to the sense of the completeness of Edom's downfall.
The mention of grapegatherers further emphasizes the thoroughness of Edom's destruction. The grapegatherers would typically leave some grapes behind, as they would not take every last grape from the vine. However, in the case of Edom, even the grapegatherers would take everything, leaving nothing behind. This speaks to the idea that Edom will be completely stripped of everything it has – there will be nothing left.
The verse serves as a warning to Edom, as well as a message of hope for the oppressed people of Judah. It speaks to the idea that God is just and will bring judgment upon those who have committed wrongdoing. It also conveys the idea of divine retribution – that those who have taken advantage of others will themselves be taken advantage of.
The themes of justice, judgment, and retribution are prominent in this verse. It highlights the idea that no one can escape the consequences of their actions, and that ultimately, God's justice will prevail. It also underscores the idea of God's sovereignty and power – that He is able to bring about justice and judgment in His own time and in His own way.
The symbolism in this verse is rich and multifaceted. The imagery of thieves and grapegatherers serves to emphasize the severity and completeness of Edom's judgment. It also conveys the idea of unexpected and overwhelming destruction. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and the consequences of our actions.
In conclusion, Obadiah 1:5 from the King James Version is a stark and powerful warning of judgment against the nation of Edom. It uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey the thoroughness and severity of Edom's destruction. The verse serves as a reminder of God's justice and the consequences of our actions. It also offers hope to the oppressed and reassurance that God's justice will ultimately prevail.
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Artwork for Obadiah 1:5
Obadiah 1:5 - "If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?"
"If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?" - Obadiah 1:5
Nehemiah 10:5 - "Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,"
1 Kings 18:3 - "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:"
"Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah," - Nehemiah 10:5
Obadiah 1:4
Obadiah 1:1 - "The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle."
1 Kings 18:5 - "And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts."
1 Chronicles 12:9 - "Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,"
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:" - 1 Kings 18:3
1 Chronicles 27:19 - "Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:"
Obadiah 1:6 - "How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!"
1 Kings 18:16 - "So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah."
Obadiah 1:17 - "¶ But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions."
Obadiah 1:21 - "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S."
Obadiah 1:2 - "Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised."
1 Chronicles 3:21 - "And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah."
Obadiah 1:4 – "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
Obadiah 1:8 - "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 1:4 – "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
1 Chronicles 7:3 - "And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men."
Obadiah 1:10 - "¶ For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever."
"Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third," - 1 Chronicles 12:9
1 Chronicles 9:16 - "And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites."
1 Chronicles 9:44 - "And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel."
Obadiah 1:9 - "And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter."
1 Chronicles 8:38 - "And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel."
Obadiah 1:19 - "And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead."
1 Kings 18:6 - "So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself."
Obadiah 1:20 - "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."