Obadiah 1

“The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD , and an…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.” The line’s distinctive content terms include despised, greatly, heathen. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down…” Naming Though keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!” Naming Esau keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have…” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD , even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest…” Naming Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou…” Naming Neither keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s .” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.