Obadiah 1:20
וְגָלֻ֣ת הַֽחֵל־֠הַזֶּה לִבְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֲשֶֽׁר־כְּנַעֲנִים֙ עַד־צָ֣רְפַ֔ת וְגָלֻ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּסְפָרַ֑ד יִֽרְשׁ֕וּ אֵ֖ת עָרֵ֥י הַנֶּֽגֶב׃
Double Exile Expression: וְגָלֻת הַחֵל־הַזֶּה… וְגָלֻת יְרוּשָׁלִַם
וְגָלֻת (“and the exile”) appears twice, introducing two separate groups of exiles:
- הַחֵל־הַזֶּה — “this first group” or “this host” (from חֵיל, “host, force”); here in construct with הַזֶּה (“this”)
- יְרוּשָׁלִַם — “Jerusalem” marks the second group of exiles
This poetic parallelism highlights that the restoration concerns exiles both from the northern kingdom (symbolized by the host) and Judah (Jerusalem).
Geographic Boundaries: לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל… עַד־צָרְפַת
לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל — “to the children of Israel,” the recipients of the territory or prophecy.
אֲשֶׁר־כְּנַעֲנִים עַד־צָרְפַת — relative clause describing the location:
- כְּנַעֲנִים — “(among) the Kenaʿanim” (Canaanites), functioning as a geographic label
- עַד־צָרְפַת — “as far as Tsarfat” (usually identified with Sarepta or even later the broader region of Phoenicia)
This implies the exiles lived in areas dominated by foreign peoples, and yet these regions will be included in their inheritance.
Western Dispersion: אֲשֶׁר בִּסְפָרַד
סְפָרַד is an enigmatic term, traditionally interpreted as a distant western location (later associated with Spain).
- אֲשֶׁר בִּסְפָרַד — “who are in Sepharad” describes the Jerusalem exiles residing in the western diaspora
This shows the global extent of exile and sets the stage for a full regathering.
The Promise: יִרְשׁוּ אֵת עָרֵי הַנֶּגֶב
יִרְשׁוּ (“they shall inherit”) is a Qal imperfect 3mp of י־ר־שׁ (“to possess, inherit”).
- אֵת עָרֵי הַנֶּגֶב — “the cities of the Negev,” i.e., the southern region of Israel
Despite their far-flung exile, these groups are promised a share in Israel’s future land inheritance — a prophetic declaration of restoration and inclusion.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Obadiah 1:20
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְגָלֻת | ג־ל־ה | Noun (fs in construct) | “Exile of…” — introduces two distinct exile groups |
| אֲשֶׁר־כְּנַעֲנִים | כ־נ־ע | Noun (mp) | Describes the region of the exiles — among the Canaanites |
| בִּסְפָרַד | ס־פ־ר | Proper noun with preposition בְּ | Geographic marker — Sepharad (possible west-diaspora) |
| יִרְשׁוּ | י־ר־שׁ | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They shall inherit” — future restoration of the land |
The Grammar of Regathered Possession
Obadiah 1:20 stitches together geography, restoration, and prophecy through tight construct chains and poetic pluralism. Grammar captures exile and inheritance in motion: two groups scattered across ancient and distant lands are prophetically assured of restored ownership — not by might, but by divine promise. The imperfect verb tenses and construct nouns affirm a future hope grounded in covenant continuity.
