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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְעָל֤וּ

H5927

shall come up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מֽוֹשִׁעִים֙

H3467

And saviours

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

הַ֣ר

H2022

on mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּ֔וֹן

H6726

Zion

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

לִשְׁפֹּ֖ט

H8199

to judge

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַ֣ר

H2022

on mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

עֵשָׂ֑ו

H6215

of Esau

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

וְהָיְתָ֥ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

#10

לַֽיהוָ֖ה

H3068

shall be the LORD'S

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#11

הַמְּלוּכָֽה׃

H4410

and the kingdom

something ruled, i.e., a realm

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Obadiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the kingdom of God theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on kingdom address the apparent delay of Christ's return and God's justice, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Obadiah chapter 1 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?