Obadiah 1:11

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou [wast] as one of them.

In the day {H3117} that thou stoodest {H5975} on the other side, in the day {H3117} that the strangers {H2114} carried away captive {H7617} his forces {H2428}, and foreigners {H5237} entered {H935} into his gates {H8179}, and cast {H3032} lots {H1486} upon Jerusalem {H3389}, even thou wast as one {H259} of them.

On that day you stood aside, while strangers carried off his treasure, and foreigners entered his gates to cast lots for Yerushalayim - you were no different from them.

On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.

In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away his substance, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.

Commentary

Obadiah 1:11 is a powerful denunciation against the nation of Edom for their egregious failure to aid their "brother" nation, Judah, during a time of immense crisis. The prophet Obadiah highlights Edom's complicity in Jerusalem's suffering, setting the stage for divine judgment.

Context

The book of Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is almost entirely a prophecy against Edom. Edomites were descendants of Esau, making them distant relatives of the Israelites (descendants of Jacob). Despite this familial tie, their relationship was often hostile. This verse refers to a specific historical event, likely a siege and plunder of Jerusalem by foreign invaders (possibly Babylonians in 586 BC, or earlier attacks by Philistines and Arabs mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:16-17). Instead of coming to Judah's aid, Edom stood by, observed, and even participated in the destruction, as further verses in Obadiah detail.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal by Kin: The verse powerfully condemns Edom for acting "as one of them" (the enemies) rather than as a brother, despite their shared ancestry through Jacob and Esau. This highlights the profound disappointment and moral failure when family or allies abandon one another in distress.
  • Complicity in Suffering: Edom's sin was not just active aggression (though that also occurred, as seen in subsequent verses), but also passive complicity. "Thou stoodest on the other side" implies a deliberate indifference or even a gleeful observation of Jerusalem's downfall. This inaction, coupled with the enemy's actions of carrying away captives, entering gates, and "casting lots upon Jerusalem," is deemed a grave offense in God's eyes.
  • Divine Justice and Accountability: The prophet's message underscores that God observes and holds nations accountable for their actions, particularly how they treat His people. Edom's actions here directly lead to the pronouncement of their own impending destruction, as seen in Obadiah 1:15.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stoodest on the other side" (Hebrew: ʿāmad minneged) conveys more than mere observation. It suggests taking a position of opposition, standing aloof, or even actively blocking escape routes, as other verses in Obadiah imply. It signifies a deliberate refusal to help, aligning oneself with the oppressors through inaction. The act of "cast lots upon Jerusalem" refers to the common ancient practice of distributing spoils of war, including captives, by drawing lots, emphasizing the complete subjugation and dehumanization of the city's inhabitants, similar to how soldiers might divide possessions after a battle.

Practical Application

Obadiah 1:11 serves as a timeless warning against indifference and complicity in the face of suffering or injustice. It challenges believers to consider their response when others, especially fellow Christians or those in need, are experiencing hardship. The call is not to stand idly by, but to actively offer support and compassion, remembering the words of Proverbs 24:11: "If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain." This verse reminds us that God holds us accountable not only for what we do, but also for what we fail to do when we have the opportunity to help.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 137:7

    ΒΆ Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it, even] to the foundation thereof.

  • Nahum 3:10

    Yet [was] she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.

  • Joel 3:3

    And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

  • 2 Kings 25:11

    Now the rest of the people [that were] left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.

  • Psalms 50:18

    When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.

  • Jeremiah 52:28

    This [is] the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:

  • Jeremiah 52:30

    In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred.
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