Obadiah 1:5
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This verse emphasizes the unprecedented thoroughness of Edom's coming judgment. While human conquerors—whether thieves or armies—typically leave remnants (either from inability to take everything or from mercy/oversight), God's judgment on Edom would be exhaustive. Historically, this was fulfilled as Edom was gradually but completely displaced, absorbed, and obliterated. The Nabatean conquest left no independent Edomite nation; their forced conversion under the Maccabees erased their distinct identity; Rome's destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) eliminated even their Idumean remnant. Archaeological evidence shows Edomite sites systematically abandoned and never reoccupied—silent testimony to judgment's totality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the completeness of God's judgment on unrepentant sin contrast with human justice that often leaves loopholes or remnants?
- What does this verse teach about the certainty and thoroughness of divine judgment for those who persist in rebellion?
- How should the knowledge that God's judgments are comprehensive (leaving no escape) motivate evangelism and personal holiness?
Analysis & Commentary
If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? God employs ironic comparison—even thieves leave something behind. The Hebrew גַּנָּבִים (gannavim, "thieves") and שֹׁדְדֵי לַיְלָה (shodedei laylah, "destroyers of night") would take only what they could carry or wanted. The parenthetical exclamation "how art thou cut off!" (אֵיךְ נִדְמֵיתָה, ekh nidmeytah) expresses astonishment at the thoroughness of Edom's destruction.
If the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? (אִם־בֹּצְרִים בָּאוּ לָךְ לֹא יַשְׁאִירוּ עֹלֵלוֹת, im-botzrim ba'u lakh lo yash'iru olelot). Leviticus 19:10 and Deuteronomy 24:21 commanded grape harvesters to leave gleanings (עֹלֵלוֹת, olelot) for the poor and foreigners. Even harvesters practicing Torah justice would leave remnants. But Edom's judgment will be total—divine wrath leaves nothing. This principle appears throughout Scripture: God's judgments are thorough and complete (Jeremiah 49:9-10 applies this same imagery to Edom). The New Testament warns that final judgment will be comprehensive—separating wheat from chaff with nothing escaping (Matthew 3:12).