Obadiah 1:1 in Hebrew
חֲזֹ֖ון עֹֽבַדְיָ֑ה כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה לֶאֱדֹ֗ום שְׁמוּעָ֨ה שָׁמַ֜עְנוּ מֵאֵ֤ת יְהוָה֙ וְצִיר֙ בַּגֹּויִ֣ם שֻׁלָּ֔ח ק֛וּמוּ וְנָק֥וּמָה עָלֶ֖יהָ לַמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
Introduction to the Verse
Obadiah 1:1 introduces the vision of Obadiah, focusing on a divine message concerning Edom. The verse states:
חֲזֹ֖ון עֹֽבַדְיָ֑ה – “The vision of ʿOvadyah.”
כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה לֶאֱדֹ֗ום – “Thus says Adonai YHWH to Edom.”
שְׁמוּעָ֨ה שָׁמַ֜עְנוּ מֵאֵ֤ת יְהוָה֙ – “A report we have heard from YHWH.”
This verse contains prophetic and military imagery, signifying divine judgment upon Edom.
Understanding Key Terms
1. חֲזֹ֖ון (Ḥazon) – “Vision”
– The word חֲזֹון (ḥāzôn) refers to a divine revelation given to a prophet.
– It is commonly used in prophetic literature to introduce God’s message of warning or judgment (e.g., Isaiah 1:1, Nahum 1:1).
2. כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה (“Thus says Adonai YHWH”)
– This formula introduces a direct divine proclamation.
– The double name אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה emphasizes God’s sovereign authority.
3. שְׁמוּעָ֨ה (Shemuʿah) – “A report, news”
– This word refers to a divine message that has been heard.
– It conveys a prophetic announcement regarding Edom’s fate.
The Structure and Meaning of the Verse
1. Introduction of the Vision
– The term חֲזֹ֖ון sets the prophetic tone, emphasizing that this is not personal speculation but divine revelation.
2. The Subject of the Prophecy – Edom
– The phrase לֶאֱדֹ֗ום clarifies that Edom is the target of the judgment.
– Edom was historically hostile toward Israel, leading to severe divine condemnation in multiple prophetic books (e.g., Isaiah 34, Jeremiah 49).
3. The Summoning of the Nations
– The phrase וְצִיר֙ בַּגֹּויִ֣ם שֻׁלָּ֔ח (“A messenger among the nations has been sent”) suggests a call for war against Edom.
– This phrase resembles military summons in ancient Near Eastern texts, indicating impending divine judgment.
Theological and Literary Significance
1. God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
– The verse establishes that God directs history, raising nations to enact His justice.
2. The Role of Edom in Biblical Prophecy
– Edom’s repeated opposition to Israel led to its prophesied downfall.
– This theme appears in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, showing that Edom’s actions had long-term consequences.
3. Prophetic Revelation as Divine Authority
– The use of חֲזֹ֖ון and כֹּֽה־אָמַר֩ אֲדֹנָ֨י יְהוִ֜ה underscores that prophets speak on behalf of YHWH.
The Judgment Pronouncement in Obadiah 1:1
Obadiah 1:1 introduces a divine vision of judgment against Edom, framing the prophecy as a direct revelation from YHWH. The use of military and legal terminology highlights the certainty of Edom’s fate, reinforcing the broader biblical theme of divine justice against nations who oppose Israel.
