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.
Original Language Analysis
וְיָרְשׁוּ֙
and they shall possess
H3423
וְיָרְשׁוּ֙
and they shall possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
1 of 18
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
הַנֶּ֜גֶב
And they of the south
H5045
הַנֶּ֜גֶב
And they of the south
Strong's:
H5045
Word #:
2 of 18
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַ֣ר
the mount
H2022
הַ֣ר
the mount
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
4 of 18
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וְהַשְּׁפֵלָה֙
and they of the plain
H8219
וְהַשְּׁפֵלָה֙
and they of the plain
Strong's:
H8219
Word #:
6 of 18
lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים
the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
8 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וְיָרְשׁוּ֙
and they shall possess
H3423
וְיָרְשׁוּ֙
and they shall possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
9 of 18
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶפְרַ֔יִם
of Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֔יִם
of Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
12 of 18
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְאֵ֖ת
H853
וְאֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבִנְיָמִ֖ן
and Benjamin
H1144
וּבִנְיָמִ֖ן
and Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
16 of 18
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
Cross References
Jeremiah 32:44Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.Amos 9:12That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.Ezekiel 36:28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Historical Context
After the exile, returning Jews gradually reoccupied the land. During the Maccabean period (165-63 BC), Jewish territory expanded significantly, including former Edomite and Philistine regions. John Hyrcanus conquered Idumea (former Edom) and the coastal plain. The Hasmonean dynasty controlled extensive territory approximating this prophecy. Yet Roman conquest (63 BC) limited fulfillment. The ultimate reality awaits Christ's return when God's people inherit the renewed creation (Romans 8:18-23). The land promises point beyond geography to comprehensive restoration of all creation under God's rule through the Messiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Old Testament land promises find ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the new creation rather than merely geographic territory?
- In what ways does believers' future inheritance (the new heavens and earth) exceed even the most extensive territorial expansion in biblical history?
- How should confidence in future complete restoration shape present contentment despite incomplete justice or limited resources?
Analysis & Commentary
And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines—God specifies territorial restoration. "They of the south" (הַנֶּגֶב, ha-Negev) refers to southern Judah, who will possess Edom's mountainous region. "They of the plain" (הַשְּׁפֵלָה, ha-Shephelah)—the western lowlands—will possess Philistine territory. This reverses centuries of hostile occupation and border conflicts.
And they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead—comprehensive restoration of all tribal territories, including the northern kingdom (Ephraim, Samaria) conquered by Assyria (722 BC). Benjamin, the smallest tribe, will possess Gilead east of the Jordan—land typically held by Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. The verb יָרַשׁ (yarash, "possess") is the conquest term—they will inherit and occupy what God promised.
This has partial historical fulfillment in post-exilic restoration and Maccabean expansion, but the complete fulfillment is eschatological. Christ's kingdom includes all God's promises to Israel, fulfilled in the new heavens and new earth. Romans 4:13 declares Abraham's promise extends beyond Canaan to inheriting the world. Believers in Christ—the true Israel (Galatians 6:16)—will inherit all things (Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:7).