Obadiah 1:10

KJV

¶ For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

For thy violence {H2555} against thy brother {H251} Jacob {H3290} shame {H955} shall cover {H3680} thee, and thou shalt be cut off {H3772} for ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the violence done to your kinsman Ya'akov, shame will cover you; and you will be forever cut off.

Berean Standard Bible

Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever.

American Standard Version

For the violence done to thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Obadiah 1:10 pronounces a severe divine judgment against the nation of Edom, declaring that their cruel and violent actions against their "brother" nation, Jacob (Israel), will result in profound shame and eternal destruction. This verse encapsulates the core indictment against Edom, highlighting their egregious betrayal of kinship and their opportunistic participation in Israel's downfall, thereby justifying God's decisive and irreversible condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, a prophetic oracle delivered entirely against the nation of Edom. Verse 10 serves as the pivotal accusation, directly articulating the reason for the judgment detailed in the preceding and subsequent verses. The preceding verses (Obadiah 1:1-9) establish Edom's pride and God's intention to bring them low, setting the stage for the specific charge. Following verse 10, Obadiah 1:11-14 elaborates on the specific acts of violence and betrayal: Edom stood aloof, rejoiced over Judah's calamity, plundered their goods, and even cut off their fugitives. Thus, verse 10 functions as the concise summary of Edom's culpability, providing the theological basis for the extensive judgment that follows. The book concludes with a vision of Israel's restoration and ultimate triumph, contrasting sharply with Edom's promised desolation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy against Edom stems from a long-standing, deeply antagonistic relationship between the descendants of Jacob and Esau, twin brothers who were destined to be two nations ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - The Prophecy of Two Nations")). Despite their shared ancestry, Edom (descendants of Esau) consistently opposed Israel (descendants of Jacob). Historically, Edom refused Israel passage during the Exodus ([Numbers 20:14-21](/numbers/20-14-21 "Numbers 20:14-21 - Edom Refuses Passage")), engaged in warfare, and often allied with Israel's enemies. The most significant historical backdrop for Obadiah's prophecy is Edom's actions during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Instead of offering aid or showing compassion to their distressed kin, Edom actively participated in the plundering, gloated over Judah's suffering, and even handed over fleeing Israelites to the Babylonians. This profound betrayal of familial and moral obligation, particularly in a culture that valued kinship deeply, made Edom's offense exceptionally grievous in God's eyes.
* **Key Themes:** Obadiah 1:10 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Betrayal of Brotherhood**. The phrase "thy violence against thy brother Jacob" emphasizes the profound breach of familial and moral obligation, transforming a political conflict into a deeply personal and theological offense. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Justice and Consequences**. God's judgment is portrayed as swift, certain, and proportionate to Edom's cruelty. The pronouncement "shame shall cover thee" signifies public disgrace and humiliation, a fitting recompense for their gloating over Israel's downfall, as further detailed in [Obadiah 1:12](/obadiah/1-12 "Obadiah 1:12 - Edom's Gloating"). The ultimate consequence, "thou shalt be cut off for ever," points to a complete and irreversible destruction, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to justice for His people and for all acts of unrighteousness. Finally, implicitly, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Protection of His People**. While Israel faced temporary defeat and exile, God would not allow their oppressors to go unpunished. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people are disciplined, affirming His ultimate sovereignty over nations and their destinies, as seen in [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **violence (Hebrew, _châmâç_ H2555):** This term denotes not merely physical force but encompasses injustice, cruelty, and moral wrong. It carries a strong connotation of destructive, unrighteous behavior, often driven by malice or greed. In this context, it highlights the egregious nature of Edom's actions, which were not simply acts of war but a profound moral failing.
* **brother (Hebrew, _ʼâch_ H251):** While a primitive word for a literal brother, it is used here in a wider sense to emphasize the deep, familial relationship between Edom (descended from Esau) and Israel (descended from Jacob). The use of "brother" intensifies the indictment, making Edom's violence a betrayal of kinship, not just an act against a neighboring nation.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _kârath_ H3772):** This verb literally means "to cut (off, down or asunder)." It is often used in the Old Testament to signify expulsion, excommunication, or utter destruction. In the context of Obadiah 1:10, it implies a complete and permanent termination of Edom's national existence and identity, underscoring the finality and irreversibility of their judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thy violence against thy brother Jacob":** This opening clause immediately states the primary charge against Edom. The term "violence" (châmâç) encompasses their active aggression, their plundering, and their cruel indifference during Jerusalem's fall. The phrase "thy brother Jacob" underscores the profound betrayal of kinship. Edom's actions were not merely against a foreign entity but against a nation with whom they shared a common ancestor and a long, albeit contentious, history. This familial bond made their treachery particularly heinous in God's sight.
* **"shame shall cover thee":** This declaration describes the immediate and public consequence of Edom's violence. "Shame" (bûwshâh) refers to public disgrace, humiliation, and the loss of honor. Just as Edom rejoiced and gloated over Israel's downfall, they would themselves be subjected to a public spectacle of disgrace. This is a fitting poetic justice, where the very nation that sought to humiliate its brother would be covered in its own shame, stripped of any dignity or respect.
* **"and thou shalt be cut off for ever":** This final, definitive pronouncement seals Edom's fate. "Cut off" (kârath) signifies a complete and utter termination, implying national extinction and permanent removal from the stage of history. The addition of "for ever" (ʻôwlâm) emphasizes the absolute and irreversible nature of this judgment. Unlike Israel, who would experience exile and restoration, Edom's destruction would be final, serving as a stark warning against pride, cruelty, and the betrayal of God's people.

#### Literary Devices
Obadiah 1:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "shame shall cover thee," where shame is given the active quality of a garment or a shroud, enveloping Edom in its disgrace. This vivid imagery emphasizes the inescapable and pervasive nature of their humiliation. **Hyperbole** is present in "thou shalt be cut off for ever," which, while literally fulfilled in Edom's national extinction, also conveys the absolute and irreversible nature of God's judgment, leaving no hope of recovery or restoration. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the juxtaposition of "violence against thy brother Jacob." The term "brother" normally implies protection, loyalty, and mutual support, yet Edom's actions were the antithesis of this expectation, highlighting the profound perversion of their familial bond. Finally, **Metonymy** is used with "Jacob" standing for the entire nation of Israel, representing the collective identity and covenant relationship of God's chosen people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Obadiah 1:10 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His fierce protection of His covenant people. It reveals that God does not overlook acts of cruelty, especially when committed against the vulnerable or those with whom a bond of kinship exists. The severity of Edom's punishment underscores the gravity of their sin—not merely an act of war, but a moral transgression rooted in pride, hatred, and a perverse delight in the suffering of others. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while God may use nations as instruments of discipline for His people, He holds those nations accountable for their motives and excessive cruelty, ensuring that ultimately, His righteous standard prevails. It speaks to the principle that all actions have consequences, and divine justice will ultimately address every wrong.

* [Psalm 137:7](/psalms/137-7 "Psalm 137:7 - Remember Edom, O Lord")
* [Lamentations 4:21-22](/lamentations/4-21-22 "Lamentations 4:21-22 - Edom's Rejoicing and Judgment")
* [Ezekiel 35:5-15](/ezekiel/35-5-15 "Ezekiel 35:5-15 - Prophecy Against Mount Seir")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Obadiah 1:10 offers timeless and sobering lessons for believers today, reminding us that God observes and judges all acts of injustice, particularly those committed against the vulnerable or those with whom we share a deep connection, whether familial, communal, or spiritual. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any trace of indifference, malice, or even secret delight in the struggles of others. The condemnation of Edom for their passive indifference and active participation in Israel's suffering calls us to a higher standard of compassion and solidarity. We are called not to stand by when others are in distress, but to actively demonstrate love, mercy, and support, bearing one another's burdens as commanded in [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bear One Another's Burdens"). Furthermore, this verse powerfully reaffirms God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice. While evil may seem to triumph for a season, God's righteous judgment will ultimately prevail, ensuring that "whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")). This should inspire both a holy fear of God's judgment and a profound trust in His ultimate plan for justice and redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be guilty of "violence" against my "brother" (fellow human, fellow believer) through indifference, gossip, or lack of compassion?**
* **How does Edom's judgment encourage me to trust in God's justice, even when I see injustice seemingly prevail in the world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to actively demonstrate compassion and solidarity with those who are suffering, rather than standing by passively?**
* **How does the concept of "shame shall cover thee" relate to the consequences of unrepentant sin in my own life or community?**

### FAQ

**Did Edom truly cease to exist "for ever," or is this a hyperbole?**

Answer: The prophecy that Edom would be "cut off for ever" was fulfilled in a remarkably literal and comprehensive way. Historically, the Edomites, after numerous defeats by various powers (Babylonians, Nabataeans), eventually lost their distinct national identity. By the time of the Roman Empire, the territory of Edom was known as Idumea, and its people were forcibly converted to Judaism by John Hyrcanus in the 2nd century BC. While some individuals of Edomite descent may have assimilated, the nation of Edom, with its unique culture, territory, and political entity, vanished from history, unlike Israel, which persisted through exile and dispersion. This stands in stark contrast to the continued existence and eventual return of the Jewish people, as prophesied in other biblical texts. Thus, the "for ever" signifies a permanent national extinction, underscoring the finality of God's judgment on a nation that persistently opposed His people and His purposes, as also seen in [Malachi 1:3-4](/malachi/1-3-4 "Malachi 1:3-4 - Edom's Desolation").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Obadiah 1:10, with its declaration of divine judgment against Edom for their violence and betrayal of "brother Jacob," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of perfect justice and righteous judgment. While Edom's judgment was a specific historical event, it foreshadows the universal truth that all unrighteousness and violence will ultimately be judged by God, a judgment perfectly executed by the Son ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge")). Christ, the true "brother" to humanity, did not betray but rather offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, taking upon Himself the "shame" and "being cut off" from God, so that those who believe might be covered not by shame but by His righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Furthermore, the protection God afforded "Jacob" (Israel) against Edom's malice points to Christ as the ultimate protector and shepherd of His people, the Church. He gathers His sheep, ensuring that none are lost to the violence of the enemy ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - No One Can Snatch Them")). Edom's eternal cutting off contrasts sharply with the eternal life and inheritance offered through Christ to all who are grafted into the spiritual Israel by faith ([Romans 11:17-24](/romans/11-17-24 "Romans 11:17-24 - The Olive Tree and Gentiles")). Ultimately, Christ's return will establish a kingdom where all injustice and violence are eradicated, and His people will dwell in everlasting peace, fulfilling the ultimate promise of God's justice and the triumph of His righteous rule ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 1:11

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever:

Malachi 1:3

And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

Malachi 1:4

Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

Psalms 89:45

The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

Genesis 27:41

¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Ezekiel 35:9

I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Jeremiah 49:17

Also Edom shall be a desolation: every one that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.