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.

For as ye have drunk {H8354} upon my holy {H6944} mountain {H2022}, so shall all the heathen {H1471} drink {H8354} continually {H8548}, yea, they shall drink {H8354}, and they shall swallow down {H3886}, and they shall be as though they had not {H3808} been.

For just as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink in turn; yes, they will drink and gulp it down and be as if they had never existed.

For as you drank on My holy mountain, so all the nations will drink continually. They will drink and gulp it down; they will be as if they had never existed.

For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the nations drink continually; yea, they shall drink, and swallow down, and shall be as though they had not been.

Context

Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, is a powerful prophetic oracle primarily directed against the nation of Edom. Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's brother), was Judah's historical adversary. This verse, Obadiah 1:16, comes in the midst of God's pronouncements of judgment against Edom for their egregious actions during the fall of Jerusalem. Rather than aiding their Israelite kin, the Edomites gloated over Judah's misfortune, plundered their goods, and even participated in the Babylonian invasion (Obadiah 1:11). The phrase "my holy mountain" refers to Zion, or Jerusalem, God's dwelling place, emphasizing the sacrilege of Edom's actions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Poetic Justice: The verse highlights the principle of lex talionis, or "an eye for an eye," in divine judgment. Just as Edom and other nations "drank" (i.e., reveled in or plundered) upon God's holy mountain, so too will they "drink continually" from the cup of God's wrath. This signifies a reversal of fortune where the oppressors become the oppressed.
  • Universal Judgment: While the immediate context is Edom, the prophecy extends to "all the heathen" (the nations) who oppose God's people and His purposes. This underscores God's sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to justice.
  • Complete Annihilation: The repeated emphasis on "they shall drink, and they shall swallow down," culminating in "they shall be as though they had not been," points to the utter and complete destruction of those who stand against God. This is not merely a temporary setback but a wiping out from existence or memory.

Linguistic Insights

The metaphor of "drinking" is significant here. In biblical prophecy, to "drink" often symbolizes experiencing a severe judgment or punishment, frequently referred to as the "cup of God's wrath" or fury (e.g., Isaiah 51:17, Revelation 14:10). The phrase "swallow down" further intensifies this image, implying a full, unmitigated consumption of this judgment. The final clause, "as though they had not been," uses a vivid Hebrew idiom to denote complete obliteration, removal from history, and utter oblivion. This stark contrast emphasizes the enduring nature of God's people versus the transient nature of those who oppose Him.

Practical Application

Obadiah 1:16 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering justice. Firstly, it warns against the sin of pride and gloating over the misfortunes of others, especially God's people. Edom's downfall was precipitated by their cruel indifference and active participation in Judah's suffering (Obadiah 1:12). Secondly, it offers comfort and hope to those who are oppressed or seemingly abandoned. God sees every injustice and will ultimately bring about a righteous judgment. The destiny of those who oppose God and His kingdom is utter destruction, while God's covenant with His people endures. This verse assures believers that their ultimate vindication rests in the hands of a just and sovereign God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joel 3:17

    So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

  • Jeremiah 49:12

    For thus saith the LORD; Behold, they whose judgment [was] not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken; and [art] thou he [that] shall altogether go unpunished? thou shalt not go unpunished, but thou shalt surely drink [of it].

  • Jeremiah 25:15

    ¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

  • Jeremiah 25:16

    And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them.

  • Isaiah 51:22

    Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God [that] pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, [even] the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

  • Isaiah 51:23

    But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

  • Isaiah 8:9

    ¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.

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