Obadiah 1:19

And [they of] the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and [they of] the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin [shall possess] Gilead.

And they of the south {H5045} shall possess {H3423} the mount {H2022} of Esau {H6215}; and they of the plain {H8219} the Philistines {H6430}: and they shall possess {H3423} the fields {H7704} of Ephraim {H669}, and the fields {H7704} of Samaria {H8111}: and Benjamin {H1144} shall possess Gilead {H1568}.

Those in the Negev will repossess the mountain of 'Esav, and those in the Sh'felah the land of the P'lishtim; they will repossess the field of Efrayim and the field of Shomron, and Binyamin will occupy Gil'ad.

Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.

And they of the South shall possess the mount of Esau, and they of the lowland the Philistines; and they shall possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria; and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

Commentary

Obadiah 1:19 is a prophetic declaration detailing the future restoration and territorial expansion of Judah (the southern kingdom) and, by extension, the entire nation of Israel. Following the severe judgment pronounced upon Edom, this verse shifts to a vision of divine reversal and blessing for God's chosen people, outlining specific regions they will reclaim and possess.

Context of Obadiah 1:19

The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, primarily focusing on the judgment of Edom, the descendants of Esau, for their pride and their malicious actions against Judah during Jerusalem's distress (Obadiah 1:11). After foretelling Edom's complete destruction, the prophecy turns to the restoration of Israel. Verses 17-21 describe the deliverance of Mount Zion and the expansion of its inhabitants' dominion. Verse 19 specifically details which territories "they of the south" (Judahites) and other tribes will possess, signifying a comprehensive return to power and a reunification of the scattered tribes of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Territorial Restoration: The verse paints a vivid picture of Israel's re-establishment, describing specific regions that will come under their control. "The mount of Esau" refers to Edom's mountainous territory, signifying the complete triumph over their long-standing adversary. "The plain the Philistines" indicates the reclamation of the coastal lowlands to the west, historically a source of conflict.
  • National Reunification: The mention of "the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria" (territories of the northern kingdom of Israel) alongside "Benjamin [shall possess] Gilead" (a region east of the Jordan River associated with both northern and southern tribes) points towards a future reunification of all twelve tribes of Israel under one banner, fulfilling promises of a complete ingathering.
  • Divine Justice and Fulfillment: This prophecy underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to Israel, even after periods of discipline. It demonstrates that God's justice extends not only to punishing the wicked but also to restoring His people to their rightful inheritance and glory, a theme seen throughout prophetic literature (Jeremiah 30:3).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the south" (Hebrew: Negev) refers to the southern region of Judah, indicating that the inhabitants of Judah would be the primary agents of this expansion. The detailed geographical list underscores the literal and comprehensive nature of the promised possession. The inclusion of diverse territories—Edom, the Philistine plain, Samaria, Ephraim, and Gilead—emphasizes the vastness of this future dominion, stretching from west to east and encompassing both former northern and southern kingdom lands, as well as historically hostile areas.

Practical Application and Reflection

Obadiah 1:19 offers a powerful message of hope and assurance. For believers today, it serves as a reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Just as He promised restoration and possession to Israel after their trials, He also promises a future hope and an ultimate triumph for His church (Revelation 21:4). This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that His justice will prevail, and His people will ultimately inherit their spiritual and eternal blessings. It speaks to the ultimate victory of God's kingdom and the complete restoration of His people, providing comfort and foresight into His final purposes.

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

  • Zephaniah 2:4

    ¶ For Gaza shall be forsaken, and Ashkelon a desolation: they shall drive out Ashdod at the noon day, and Ekron shall be rooted up.

  • Zephaniah 2:7

    And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.

  • Jeremiah 32:44

    Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal [them], and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

  • Amos 9:12

    That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.

  • Jeremiah 31:4

    Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

  • Jeremiah 31:6

    For there shall be a day, [that] the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

  • Ezekiel 37:21

    And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
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