Obadiah 1:18

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].

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.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

Obadiah 1:18 is a powerful prophetic declaration concerning the ultimate fate of Edom (the house of Esau) at the hands of Israel (the house of Jacob and Joseph). It vividly portrays the decisive and complete victory of God's people over their long-standing adversary, signifying divine judgment and the restoration of Israel's strength.

Context

The entire book of Obadiah is a short but intense prophecy primarily directed against Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin brother. The historical relationship between Israel and Edom was marked by animosity, particularly Edom's refusal to help Israel during the Exodus and their active participation in the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (as referenced in Obadiah 1:11-14). This verse, Obadiah 1:18, comes near the conclusion of the prophecy, shifting from the condemnation of Edom to the glorious future of Israel, where they will execute God's judgment upon their oppressors.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse highlights God's justice in repaying Edom for their actions against Israel. The imagery of fire consuming stubble underscores the inevitability and totality of this judgment.
  • Israel's Vindication and Restoration: "The house of Jacob" and "the house of Joseph" represent the unified nation of Israel, both southern (Judah) and northern (Ephraim/Joseph), rising as an unstoppable force. This signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant people and their future triumph.
  • Completeness of Destruction: The phrase "there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau" emphasizes the utter and final nature of Edom's demise as a distinct nation, a stark contrast to God's enduring promises to Israel.
  • Sovereignty of God: The concluding statement, "for the LORD hath spoken it," affirms that this prophecy is not merely human conjecture but a divine decree, guaranteeing its fulfillment. This underscores God's ultimate control over nations and history, a theme also seen in Isaiah 55:11.

Linguistic Insights

The power of this verse lies in its vivid metaphorical language. "Fire" ('esh) and "flame" (lehabah) are potent symbols of destructive power and divine wrath, often associated with judgment in the Old Testament. Conversely, "stubble" (qash) denotes something dry, worthless, and easily consumed by fire. The contrast between these images—an all-consuming fire and easily destroyed stubble—effectively communicates the overwhelming power of Israel and the utter helplessness of Edom in the face of God's determined judgment.

Practical Application

While this prophecy has specific historical fulfillment, its principles offer timeless lessons:

  • God's Justice Prevails: It reminds us that God is just and will ultimately deal with all injustice and oppression. Though evil may seem to triumph for a time, divine reckoning is certain.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those who are persecuted or wronged, this verse offers assurance that God sees and will act on behalf of His people. It points to a future where righteousness will ultimately prevail.
  • Consequences of Opposition to God's People: It serves as a warning against opposing God's purposes or His people, as those who do so ultimately face His judgment. This echoes the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3.
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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.
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