Obadiah 1:20

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel [shall possess] that of the Canaanites, [even] unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which [is] in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

And the captivity {H1546} of this host {H2426} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} shall possess that of the Canaanites {H3669}, even unto Zarephath {H6886}; and the captivity {H1546} of Jerusalem {H3389}, which is in Sepharad {H5614}, shall possess {H3423} the cities {H5892} of the south {H5045}.

Those from this army of the people of Isra'el exiled among the Kena'anim as far away as Tzarfat, and the exiles from Yerushalayim in S'farad, will repossess the cities in the Negev.

And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

And the captives of this host of the children of Israel, that are among the Canaanites, shall possess even unto Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, that are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the South.

Obadiah 1:20 is a pivotal verse in the short book of Obadiah, offering a promise of future restoration and territorial expansion for the exiled people of Israel and Judah. Following the prophecies of judgment against Edom, this verse shifts focus to God's faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them of their eventual return and re-establishment.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Obadiah primarily addresses the nation of Edom, descendants of Esau, for their violent actions and gleeful participation in the downfall and looting of Jerusalem during its destruction by Babylon (Obadiah 1:11-14). Amidst this backdrop of divine justice against Edom, verse 20 serves as a beacon of hope for Israel, promising a reversal of fortunes. The "captivity" refers to the various groups of Israelites who had been taken into exile, particularly after the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests. This verse speaks to a time when these scattered exiles would not only return but also possess the lands of their former oppressors and neighbors, fulfilling ancient promises regarding their inheritance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Restoration and Reoccupation: The central theme is the promise that the exiled Israelites will return and repossess their ancestral lands and even expand beyond them. This signifies a complete reversal of their fortunes from being dispossessed to becoming possessors.
  • Geographical Expansion: The verse outlines a significant territorial expansion. "Zarephath," a Phoenician city in modern-day Lebanon, indicates a northern extension of Israelite influence into former Canaanite territory. "Sepharad" (often identified as Sardis in Lydia, Asia Minor, or a region in the Persian Empire) points to the widespread nature of the Jewish diaspora, yet even these distant exiles would participate in the restoration. The "cities of the south" likely refer to the Negeb region, which bordered Edom, signifying the repossession of territories, possibly even those formerly held by Edom.
  • Divine Faithfulness: Despite Israel's disobedience leading to exile, God remains faithful to His promises of a future and a hope, illustrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. This aligns with broader prophetic themes of God gathering His people from all nations.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "possess" (ירש, yarash) carries the meaning of inheriting, dispossessing, or taking possession of land. It often implies a divine right or entitlement, highlighting that this reoccupation is not merely by human strength but by God's decree. The mention of "Sepharad" (ספרד) is unique to this verse in the Old Testament, making its precise location a subject of scholarly debate, though it clearly denotes a distant place of exile for a segment of the Jerusalemite population.

Practical Application

For believers today, Obadiah 1:20 offers a powerful message of hope and God's ultimate faithfulness. Even in times of displacement, suffering, or apparent defeat, God's plans for His people endure. It teaches that divine justice will ultimately prevail, and God will restore what was lost, bringing His purposes to fruition. This verse encourages perseverance, reminding us that God is sovereign over all circumstances and will fulfill His promises, often in ways that exceed our expectations, leading to a future of ultimate restoration and blessing in Christ.

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.

  • Luke 4:26

    But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, [a city] of Sidon, unto a woman [that was] a widow.

  • 1 Kings 17:9

    Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

  • 1 Kings 17:10

    So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman [was] there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

  • Jeremiah 33:13

    In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth [them], saith the LORD.

  • 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.

  • Zechariah 10:6

    And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I [am] the LORD their God, and will hear them.

  • Zechariah 10:10

    I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and [place] shall not be found for them.

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