Obadiah 1:8

8 On that day," {declares}^[a] Yahweh, "will I not destroy the wise men from Edom, and understanding from the mountain of Esau?

Obadiah 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

Obadiah 1:8

Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise
[men] out of Edom
When they shall be invaded by the enemy, and treacherously dealt with by their allies; so that there shall be no wise counsellors at court to give advice what proper methods should be taken at such a season; they should either be taken off by death, or their wisdom should be turned into folly, and they be rendered incapable of giving right counsel: and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
that is, men of understanding, as the Targum, should be destroyed out of Edom or Idumea, which was a mountainous country; such as were well versed in politics, or understood military affairs, and how to conduct at such a critical time; to form schemes, and concert measures, and wisely put them in execution; and to be deprived of all such must be a great loss at such a time, and add to their distress and calamity; see ( Jeremiah 49:7 ) .

Obadiah 1:8 In-Context

6 How Esau has been pillaged; his treasures have been ransacked!

7 All of your {allies} have driven you up to the boundary; your {confederates} have deceived you and have prevailed against you. [Those who eat] your bread have set an ambush for you, there is no understanding of it.

8 On that day," {declares} Yahweh, "will I not destroy the wise men from Edom, and understanding from the mountain of Esau?

9 And your warriors will be shattered, [O] Teman, so that {everyone} from the mountain of Esau will be cut off because of the slaughter!

10 "Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you and you will be cut off forever.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "a declaration of"