Obadiah 1:20

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְגָלֻ֥ת
H1546
And the captivity
captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)
#2
הַֽחֵל
H2426
of this host
an army; also (by analogy,) an intrenchment
#3
הַ֠זֶּה
H2088
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#4
לִבְנֵ֨י
H1121
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
כְּנַעֲנִים֙
H3669
shall possess that of the Canaanites
a kenaanite or inhabitant of kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the canaanites standing for their neighbors the ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile c
#8
עַד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#9
צָ֣רְפַ֔ת
H6886
even unto Zarephath
tsarephath, a place in palestine
#10
וְגָלֻ֥ת
H1546
And the captivity
captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)
#11
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
H3389
of Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#12
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
בִּסְפָרַ֑ד
H5614
which is in Sepharad
sepharad, a region of assyria
#14
יִֽרְשׁ֕וּ
H3423
shall possess
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
#15
אֵ֖ת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
עָרֵ֥י
H5892
the cities
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#17
הַנֶּֽגֶב׃
H5045
of the south
the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Obadiah. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection