Obadiah 1:8

Authorized King James Version

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Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?

Original Language Analysis

הֲל֛וֹא H3808
הֲל֛וֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
בַּיּ֥וֹם Shall I not in that day H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם Shall I not in that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 11
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
הַה֖וּא H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 4 of 11
an oracle
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֤י even destroy H6
וְהַאֲבַדְתִּ֤י even destroy
Strong's: H6
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
חֲכָמִים֙ the wise H2450
חֲכָמִים֙ the wise
Strong's: H2450
Word #: 7 of 11
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
מֵֽאֱד֔וֹם men out of Edom H123
מֵֽאֱד֔וֹם men out of Edom
Strong's: H123
Word #: 8 of 11
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
וּתְבוּנָ֖ה and understanding H8394
וּתְבוּנָ֖ה and understanding
Strong's: H8394
Word #: 9 of 11
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
מֵהַ֥ר out of the mount H2022
מֵהַ֥ר out of the mount
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 10 of 11
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
עֵשָֽׂו׃ of Esau H6215
עֵשָֽׂו׃ of Esau
Strong's: H6215
Word #: 11 of 11
esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? God rhetorically asks whether He will destroy Edom's wisdom (חֲכָמִים, chachamim) and understanding (תְּבוּנָה, tevunah). The implied answer: absolutely yes. "In that day" (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayom hahu) points to the day of judgment. The prophetic formula "saith the LORD" (נְאֻם־יְהוָה, neum-YHWH) guarantees certainty.

Edom was renowned for wisdom—descended from Esau, connected to Job's friends (Eliphaz the Temanite was from Edom, Job 2:11), and praised for understanding (Jeremiah 49:7). Yet human wisdom apart from God is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). When judgment comes, clever strategies, philosophical sophistication, and political cunning prove worthless. Isaiah 29:14 declares God will "destroy the wisdom of the wise." Proverbs 21:30 states: "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." The fear of the Lord is wisdom's beginning (Proverbs 9:10); without it, supposed wisdom is mere folly that collapses under judgment.

Historical Context

Edom's reputation for wisdom made this prophecy particularly striking. Teman (verse 9) was especially famous for sages. Yet when crisis came, all this vaunted wisdom failed. They couldn't foresee betrayal by allies, prevent Nabatean displacement, or secure their survival. Human wisdom, no matter how sophisticated, cannot overcome divine decree. The educated, intelligent, and strategically brilliant face the same judgment as others if they lack the wisdom of fearing God. This challenges modern confidence in human expertise, education, and intellectual achievement apart from divine revelation.

Questions for Reflection