What does Obadiah 1:19 mean?
"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." - Obadiah 1:19
The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only one chapter. Despite its brevity, this book contains a powerful message about judgment and the consequences of pride and mistreatment of others.
The verse Obadiah 1:19 from the King James Version (KJV) reads: "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." This verse is part of a prophecy of the destruction of Edom, the nation descended from Esau, who was the twin brother of Jacob and the son of Isaac and Rebekah. The prophecy speaks to the ultimate victory of Judah and the restoration of the land to God's people.
The themes in this verse revolve around divine judgment, restoration, and justice. The conquest and possession of the land by various tribes signify the fulfillment of God's promises and the restoration of what was unjustly taken from them. The verse is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people and His justice in dealing with those who oppress them.
The context of this verse is set against the backdrop of the historical conflict between the nations of Israel and Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, and the rivalry between the Edomites and Israelites can be traced back to the days of the patriarchs. However, the book of Obadiah specifically focuses on the Edomites' mistreatment of the Israelites during the invasion and destruction of Jerusalem. The Edomites not only failed to help their relatives in their time of need but also gloated over their downfall and plundered their possessions.
Symbolically, the conquest of the mount of Esau and the possession of the fields of Ephraim and Samaria represent the restoration of God's people and their inheritance. It symbolizes the reversal of fortunes and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. The triumph of the south and the plains over their enemies signifies the ultimate victory of righteousness and justice over the forces of oppression and wickedness.
This verse also points to the idea of God's sovereignty and His ultimate control over the destinies of nations. The prophecy in Obadiah 1:19 demonstrates that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and will bring about justice and restoration to those who have suffered.
In summary, Obadiah 1:19 is a powerful and prophetic verse that speaks to the themes of divine judgment, restoration, and justice. It provides a message of hope and assurance for God's people, reminding them of His faithfulness and sovereignty over the nations. As with many prophecies in the Bible, this verse serves as a reminder that God's promises will ultimately be fulfilled, and His justice will prevail.
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Obadiah 1:19 Artwork
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."
"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." - Obadiah 1:19
1 Chronicles 27:19 - "Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:"
"Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:" - 1 Chronicles 27:19
1 Kings 18:3 - "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:"
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 Chronicles 12:9 - "Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,"
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."
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:" - 1 Kings 18:3
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."
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."
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."
Obadiah 1:4 - "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."
1 Kings 18:7 - "¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?"
"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." - Obadiah 1:1