Malachi 1:4
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱד֜וֹם
Whereas Edom
H123
אֱד֜וֹם
Whereas Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
3 of 25
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וְנָשׁוּב֙
but we will return
H7725
וְנָשׁוּב֙
but we will return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
5 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
חֳרָב֔וֹת
the desolate places
H2723
חֳרָב֔וֹת
the desolate places
Strong's:
H2723
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
כֹּ֤ה
H3541
כֹּ֤ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֖ה
against whom the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
against whom the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֔וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
11 of 25
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֶהֱר֑וֹס
but I will throw down
H2040
אֶהֱר֑וֹס
but I will throw down
Strong's:
H2040
Word #:
15 of 25
to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy
וְקָרְא֤וּ
and they shall call
H7121
וְקָרְא֤וּ
and they shall call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
16 of 25
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
גְּב֣וּל
them The border
H1366
גְּב֣וּל
them The border
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
וְהָעָ֛ם
and The people
H5971
וְהָעָ֛ם
and The people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
20 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
זָעַ֥ם
hath indignation
H2194
זָעַ֥ם
hath indignation
Strong's:
H2194
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, to foam at the mouth, i.e., to be enraged
יְהוָ֖ה
against whom the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
against whom the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Ezekiel 25:14And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.Ezekiel 35:9I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.Isaiah 34:10It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.Isaiah 11:14But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.Isaiah 34:5For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
Historical Context
Edom's pride and self-confidence had deep roots—their mountain fortresses seemed impregnable (Obadiah 3-4). When Nabatean Arabs displaced them, Edomites attempted to rebuild, but never recovered their former territory or status. Their permanent desolation contrasted sharply with Israel's restoration after exile. Obadiah prophesied Edom's utter destruction for their treachery against Judah (Obadiah 10-18). The New Testament applies Edom's judgment typologically—Hebrews 12:16-17 warns against being like Esau who found no place for repentance. Edom represents those who persist in rebellion until judgment becomes irrevocable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Edom's defiant self-reliance illustrate the futility of human effort apart from God's blessing?
- What does permanent divine indignation teach about the seriousness of persistent, unrepentant rebellion?
- In what ways might we exhibit Edom's pride rather than humble dependence on God's grace?
Analysis & Commentary
Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down. Edom's defiant response to judgment reveals proud self-sufficiency. We are impoverished (רֻשַּׁשְׁנוּ, rushashnu) acknowledges their devastation, but we will return and build (וְנָשׁוּב וְנִבְנֶה, venashuv venivneh) expresses determination to rebuild through human effort alone—no repentance, no acknowledgment of divine judgment, just stubborn self-reliance.
God's response is absolute: They shall build, but I will throw down (הֵמָּה יִבְנוּ וַאֲנִי אֶהֱרוֹס, hemmah yivnu va'ani eheros). The verb הָרַס (haras) means to tear down, demolish, overthrow. Human effort against divine decree is futile. This principle appears throughout Scripture: without God's blessing, human labor is vain (Psalm 127:1).
The consequences extend beyond mere failure: they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever (גְּבוּל רִשְׁעָה וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר־זָעַם יְהוָה עַד־עוֹלָם, gevul rish'ah veha'am asher-za'am Yahweh ad-olam). Edom would become proverbial for divine judgment—a permanent testimony to God's wrath against those who oppose His purposes.