Obadiah 1:11
In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.
Original Language Analysis
בְּי֛וֹם
In the day
H3117
בְּי֛וֹם
In the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
עֲמָֽדְךָ֣
that thou stoodest
H5975
עֲמָֽדְךָ֣
that thou stoodest
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
2 of 18
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מִנֶּ֔גֶד
H5048
מִנֶּ֔גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
3 of 18
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
בְּי֛וֹם
In the day
H3117
בְּי֛וֹם
In the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 18
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
זָרִ֖ים
that the strangers
H2114
זָרִ֖ים
that the strangers
Strong's:
H2114
Word #:
6 of 18
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
חֵיל֑וֹ
his forces
H2428
חֵיל֑וֹ
his forces
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
7 of 18
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וְנָכְרִ֞ים
and foreigners
H5237
וְנָכְרִ֞ים
and foreigners
Strong's:
H5237
Word #:
8 of 18
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
upon Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
upon Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
12 of 18
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
גוֹרָ֔ל
lots
H1486
גוֹרָ֔ל
lots
Strong's:
H1486
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, a pebble, i.e., a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively, a portion or destiny (as if determined by lot)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
Psalms 137:7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.Nahum 3:10Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.Joel 3:3And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.
Historical Context
Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem (586 BC) involved brutal siege, starvation, destruction of temple, mass killing, and exile. Edom's response—standing aside or celebrating—revealed their true character. The principle applies today: claiming faith while ignoring suffering brothers and sisters denies the gospel (1 John 3:17-18). Christ identifies with His people such that helping or ignoring them means helping or ignoring Him (Matthew 25:31-46).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we "stand on the other side" when fellow believers or vulnerable people suffer?
- What does it mean to be complicit in evil through passivity rather than active opposition?
Analysis & Commentary
Edom's specific betrayal: "In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them." When Jerusalem fell to Babylon, Edom "stood on the other side"—passive spectators at best, hostile participants at worst. "Strangers carried away captive his forces"—Babylon conquered Judah. "Cast lots upon Jerusalem"—dividing spoils. "Even thou wast as one of them"—Edom acted like pagan enemies rather than showing kinship loyalty. This passivity in others' suffering, or worse, participation in it, provoked divine judgment. James 4:17 states: "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." Edom knew they should help relatives but chose complicity.