Obadiah 1:21

KJV

And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.

KJV (with Strong's)

And saviours {H3467} shall come up {H5927} on mount {H2022} Zion {H6726} to judge {H8199} the mount {H2022} of Esau {H6215}; and the kingdom {H4410} shall be the LORD'S {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the victorious will ascend Mount Tziyon to rule over Mount 'Esav, but the kingship will belong to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD.

American Standard Version

And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be Jehovah’s.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Obadiah 1:21 culminates the shortest book in the Old Testament with a profound declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and the vindication of His people. This verse shifts from the preceding pronouncements of judgment against Edom to a glorious vision of Israel's restoration, where deliverers from Mount Zion will execute divine justice upon Edom, ultimately affirming that the kingdom belongs entirely to the LORD. It serves as an eschatological promise, assuring that despite temporary oppression, God's righteous rule will prevail over all earthly powers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Obadiah's prophecy is a singular, concise oracle primarily directed against the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau. The book opens with a divine summons for judgment against Edom (Obadiah 1:1-9), detailing their pride and impending downfall. This judgment is specifically pronounced due to Edom's egregious actions against Judah during a time of crisis, likely the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem (Obadiah 1:10-14). Edom not only rejoiced in Judah's misfortune but also actively participated in their plunder and prevented refugees from escaping. Verses 15-20 then broaden the scope to the "day of the LORD" and the restoration of Israel's land. Obadiah 1:21 serves as the climactic conclusion, transitioning from the specific judgment on Edom to a universal declaration of God's ultimate reign and the triumph of His people, providing a final, hopeful resolution to the preceding pronouncements of doom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical animosity between Israel (Jacob) and Edom (Esau) dates back to their patriarchal founders, brothers whose rivalry continued through their descendants (see [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - Two Nations in the Womb")). Edom, located southeast of Judah in the mountainous region of Seir, was often a hostile neighbor. Their actions described in Obadiah 1:10-14, particularly their "violence against thy brother Jacob," refer to specific instances where Edom exploited Judah's weakness, possibly during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (586 BC) or earlier invasions. Such betrayal by a "brother" nation was considered a profound violation of ancient Near Eastern kinship ethics. Mount Zion, representing Jerusalem and the people of Judah, stands in stark contrast to Mount Esau, symbolizing the Edomite nation. The prophecy reflects the deep-seated grievances and the theological conviction that God would avenge His people against those who oppressed them, especially those who should have shown solidarity.
* **Key Themes:** Obadiah 1:21 encapsulates several major themes present throughout the book and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, where God's righteous character demands accountability for the actions of nations, particularly Edom's cruelty towards Judah. The "day of the LORD" (Obadiah 1:15) is a central concept, signifying a time of divine intervention, bringing judgment upon the wicked and salvation for the righteous. Another key theme is **Zion's Vindication and Restoration**, as the prophecy moves from Edom's destruction to the ultimate triumph and expansion of God's people (Obadiah 1:17-20). This restoration is not merely political but theological, affirming God's covenant faithfulness. Finally, the culminating declaration, "and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S," underscores the overarching theme of **God's Absolute Sovereignty**. Despite the rise and fall of earthly empires and the suffering of His people, God's ultimate authority and dominion are eternal and supreme, a truth echoed in passages like [Zechariah 14:9](/zechariah/14-9 "Zechariah 14:9 - The Lord Will Be King Over All the Earth") and [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saviours (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ_):** (H3467) Derived from a primitive root meaning "to be open, wide or free," this word implies safety, freedom, or deliverance. Causatively, it means "to free or succor." In this context, "saviours" (plural) refers to those who bring about salvation, deliverance, or vindication. They are agents through whom God's saving power and justice are manifested, not necessarily a single messianic figure, but rather deliverers or leaders from Judah who will execute divine judgment and establish order, bringing about the restoration of God's people.
* **judge (Hebrew, _shâphaṭ_):** (H8199) A primitive root meaning "to judge," "pronounce sentence (for or against)," "vindicate," or "punish." By extension, it can also mean "to govern." Here, it signifies the act of administering divine justice upon Edom. The saviours from Zion will act as God's instruments, carrying out His righteous decree against those who oppressed His people, thereby vindicating Judah and punishing Edom. This judgment is not merely punitive but also restorative, establishing proper order.
* **kingdom (Hebrew, _mᵉlûwkâh_):** (H4410) A feminine passive participle meaning "something ruled," i.e., a realm or dominion. This term signifies royal authority, sovereignty, and the sphere of rule. The declaration "and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" is the ultimate theological statement of the verse, asserting God's supreme and universal dominion over all nations and all history, transcending all earthly powers and conflicts. It is a declaration of ultimate divine sovereignty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And saviours shall come up on mount Zion":** This clause introduces the agents of God's redemptive plan. The "saviours" are not explicitly identified but are understood to be human instruments, perhaps leaders or a restored people, emerging from "Mount Zion," a potent symbol for Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God, and the spiritual and political center of Judah. Their "coming up" implies an ascent to prominence and authority, signifying the reversal of fortunes for God's people, who were previously oppressed but are now empowered by God to act.
* **"to judge the mount of Esau":** This phrase states the purpose of the saviours' emergence: to execute judgment. "Mount Esau" is a direct metonymy for the nation of Edom, the historical adversary of Israel. The judgment is a divine retribution for Edom's pride and their violent actions against Judah. This part of the verse ensures that the earlier prophecies of Edom's destruction (Obadiah 1:1-14) are brought to their just conclusion through the agency of God's restored people.
* **"and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S":** This is the climactic and universal declaration that transcends the specific conflict between Judah and Edom. It proclaims the ultimate, undisputed sovereignty of Yahweh over all creation and all history. This final statement elevates the particular judgment on Edom into a universal truth: all earthly kingdoms and powers are temporary, but God's kingdom is eternal and supreme. It provides the ultimate theological context for the entire prophecy, assuring that divine justice and restoration are part of God's overarching plan to establish His perfect rule.

#### Literary Devices
Obadiah 1:21 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Contrast**. "Mount Zion" is a powerful symbol representing Jerusalem, the chosen city of God, the center of His covenant people, and the place from which salvation and judgment emanate. It stands in direct **Contrast** to "Mount Esau," which symbolizes the nation of Edom, characterized by pride, violence, and opposition to God's people. This geographical and symbolic contrast highlights the reversal of fortunes: the oppressed (Zion) will become the agents of justice against the oppressor (Esau). The phrase "saviours shall come up" implies a divine empowerment and a **Prophetic Vision** of future vindication and restoration. The final declaration, "and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S," serves as a powerful **Climax** and an **Affirmation of Divine Sovereignty**, elevating the specific historical judgment into a universal theological truth. The use of the plural "saviours" can be seen as a form of **Collective Representation**, where the restored people of God collectively fulfill a role of divine agency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Obadiah 1:21 serves as a powerful theological capstone, not only for the book of Obadiah but for the broader biblical narrative concerning divine justice and ultimate sovereignty. It affirms God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people and His righteous response to injustice. The "saviours" from Zion demonstrate that God often uses human agents to accomplish His purposes, even in acts of judgment and restoration. The final declaration, "the kingdom shall be the LORD'S," is a foundational truth that resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that despite the chaos and injustice of human history, God's reign is eternal, supreme, and ultimately victorious. This verse provides enduring hope, assuring that all wrongs will be righted and God's perfect will established.

* [Psalm 2:6](/psalm/2-6 "Psalm 2:6 - God's King on Zion")
* [Zechariah 14:9](/zechariah/14-9 "Zechariah 14:9 - The Lord Will Be King Over All the Earth")
* [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Obadiah 1:21 offers a profound message of hope and assurance for believers facing various forms of oppression, injustice, or despair. It reminds us that God is not indifferent to the suffering of His people or the wickedness of the world. Just as Edom's pride and cruelty were met with divine judgment, so too will all forms of injustice ultimately be confronted by God's righteous rule. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem bleak, knowing that He will ultimately establish His perfect kingdom and bring about full vindication for His own. It calls us to align our lives with the values of this coming kingdom, living justly, showing mercy, and patiently enduring, confident that the final word belongs to the LORD. Our hope is not in earthly powers or human efforts alone, but in the ultimate triumph of God's eternal dominion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Obadiah 1:21 challenge our perspective on justice and retribution in a world often marked by injustice?**
* **In what ways can believers today act as "saviours" or agents of God's justice and restoration in their spheres of influence?**
* **How does the declaration "the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" impact your trust in God's sovereignty amidst personal struggles or global turmoil?**

### FAQ
**Who are the "saviours" mentioned in Obadiah 1:21?**

Answer: The "saviours" (Hebrew: _yoshe'im_) are generally understood to be human agents, likely leaders or the restored people of Judah, empowered by God to execute His judgment and bring about deliverance. They are not necessarily a single messianic figure in this context, but rather instruments through whom God's justice and vindication are realized. Their role is to "judge the mount of Esau," meaning to carry out God's righteous retribution against the nation of Edom for their historical animosity and specific acts of violence against Judah, thereby establishing order and demonstrating God's ultimate authority from [Mount Zion](/psalm/125-1 "Psalm 125:1 - Those Who Trust in the Lord Are Like Mount Zion").

**What is the significance of "the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" in this verse?**

Answer: This phrase is the theological climax of Obadiah's prophecy, transcending the specific historical conflict between Judah and Edom. It is a universal declaration of God's absolute and eternal sovereignty. It means that ultimately, all authority, dominion, and rule belong to Yahweh alone. Despite the rise and fall of earthly empires and the temporary suffering of God's people, God's kingdom is supreme, unshakeable, and will ultimately prevail over all. This echoes similar declarations found throughout Scripture, such as [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Everlasting Kingdom") and [Zechariah 14:9](/zechariah/14-9 "Zechariah 14:9 - The Lord Will Be King Over All the Earth"), providing ultimate hope and assurance of God's final victory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Obadiah 1:21 speaks of human "saviours" from Mount Zion who will judge Edom, its ultimate fulfillment points to the singular and supreme Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "saviours" foreshadow the greater work of redemption and judgment accomplished by Christ. He is the true Deliverer who came from [heavenly Zion](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem and Jesus") to execute divine justice and establish God's reign. Just as the saviours were to judge "the mount of Esau," Christ, at His first coming, began the judgment of sin and evil, and at His second coming, He will fully judge all nations and powers that oppose God, bringing all things under His feet (see [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation")). The declaration "and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S" finds its ultimate and glorious realization in Christ, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords, reigning eternally at the right hand of the Father (as seen in [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord")). Through His atoning work and resurrection, Christ has inaugurated God's kingdom, inviting all to enter it, and He will bring it to its consummation, ensuring that God's perfect rule is fully established over all creation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 11:15

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Zechariah 14:9

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

James 5:20

Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Daniel 7:27

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Psalms 22:28

For the kingdom [is] the LORD'S: and he [is] the governor among the nations.

1 Timothy 4:16

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Luke 22:30

That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.