King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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 shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be [any] remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken [it].
Complete Jewish Bible:
The house of Ya'akov will be a fire and the house of Yosef a flame, setting aflame and consuming the stubble which is the house of 'Esav. None of the house of 'Esav will remain, for ADONAI has spoken.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble— Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken.
American Standard Version:
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 shall burn among them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining to the house of Esau; for Jehovah hath spoken it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the house{H1004} of Jacob{H3290} shall be a fire{H784}, and the house{H1004} of Joseph{H3130} a flame{H3852}, and the house{H1004} of Esau{H6215} for stubble{H7179}, and they shall kindle{H1814} in them, and devour{H398} them; and there shall not be any remaining{H8300} of the house{H1004} of Esau{H6215}; for the LORD{H3068} hath spoken{H1696} it.
Cross-References (KJV):
Zechariah 12:6
- In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, [even] in Jerusalem.
Isaiah 10:17
- And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
Ezekiel 37:19
- Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which [is] in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, [even] with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
Micah 5:8
- And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
Isaiah 5:24
- Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, [so] their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
1 Corinthians 3:12
- Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Obadiah 1:16
- For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, [so] shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Obadiah 1:18
Obadiah 1:18 is the final verse of the shortest book in the Old Testament, the Book of Obadiah. This prophetic book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Obadiah, and its central theme is the judgment of Edom, which is represented by the "house of Esau," Esau being the brother of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) and the ancestor of the Edomites.
In the historical context, the Edomites were seen as perpetual enemies of Israel, often taking advantage of Israel's misfortunes. The verse reflects the tension and animosity between the two nations, with the "house of Jacob" (Israel) and the "house of Joseph" (often representing the northern tribes of Israel) being likened to a consuming fire and flame, while the "house of Esau" (Edom) is depicted as stubble—easily ignited and completely consumed by the fire.
The imagery of fire and stubble suggests a swift and total destruction of Edom, indicating that God will use Israel as an instrument of judgment. The verse conveys the message that the LORD has decreed this fate for Edom, emphasizing the irrevocable nature of the divine judgment. It serves as a warning and a prophecy that the Edomites will be annihilated and that none of them will remain, underscoring the sovereignty and power of God over nations and their destinies.
The themes present in this verse include divine retribution, the sovereignty of God, and the fulfillment of prophecy. It also touches on the motif of sibling rivalry, which is a recurring theme in the history of Israel and Edom, beginning with the biblical account of Jacob and Esau. The verse is a stark reminder of the consequences of enmity with God's people and the ultimate vindication that comes from trusting in the LORD's promises and justice.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H3130
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹסֵף
Transliteration: Yôwçêph
Pronunciation: yo-safe'
Description: future of יָסַף; let him add (or perhaps simply active participle adding); Joseph, the name of seven Israelites; Joseph. Compare יְהוֹסֵף. - Strong's Number: H3852
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֶהָבָה
Transliteration: lehâbâh
Pronunciation: leh-aw-baw'
Description: or לַהֶבֶת; feminine of לַהַב, and meaning the same; {a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished blade or point of aweapon}; flame(-ming), head (of a spear). - Strong's Number: H6215
There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵשָׂו
Transliteration: ʻÊsâv
Pronunciation: ay-sawv'
Description: apparently a form of the passive participle of עָשָׂה in the original sense of handling; rough (i.e. sensibly felt); Esav, a son of Isaac, including his posterity; Esau. - Strong's Number: H7179
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קַשׁ
Transliteration: qash
Pronunciation: kash
Description: from קָשַׁשׁ; straw (as dry); stubble. - Strong's Number: H1814
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּלַק
Transliteration: dâlaq
Pronunciation: daw-lak'
Description: a primitive root; to flame (literally or figuratively); burning, chase, inflame, kindle, persecute(-or), pursue hotly. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H8300
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂרִיד
Transliteration: sârîyd
Pronunciation: saw-reed'
Description: from שָׂרַד; a survivor; [idiom] alive, left, remain(-ing), remnant, rest. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H1696
There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָבַר
Transliteration: dâbar
Pronunciation: daw-bar'
Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.