Obadiah 1:8

KJV

Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise [men] out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall I not in that day {H3117}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, even destroy {H6} the wise {H2450} men out of Edom {H123}, and understanding {H8394} out of the mount {H2022} of Esau {H6215}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"When that Day comes," says ADONAI, "won't I destroy all the wise men of Edom and leave no discernment on Mount 'Esav?

Berean Standard Bible

In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau?

American Standard Version

Shall I not in that day, saith Jehovah, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Obadiah 1:8 delivers a profound divine declaration of judgment against the nation of Edom. In this pivotal verse, the LORD Himself, speaking with absolute authority, promises to completely strip Edom of its most cherished and relied-upon assets: its renowned wisdom and understanding. This pronouncement reveals the ultimate futility and impotence of human intellect, strategic prowess, and self-reliance when arrayed against the sovereign will and righteous judgment of God, signaling Edom's inevitable and total downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, a concise prophetic oracle almost entirely dedicated to pronouncing judgment on Edom. Verse 8 follows a series of pronouncements detailing Edom's pride and the treachery of its allies. The preceding verses, particularly [Obadiah 1:3-7](/obadiah/1-3-7 "Obadiah 1:3-7 - Edom's Pride and Betrayal"), highlight Edom's arrogant self-security in its seemingly impregnable mountain fortresses and its misplaced trust in its alliances. Verse 8 directly addresses the intellectual pride and strategic wisdom that Edom also boasted, showing that even these perceived strengths will be utterly dismantled by divine decree. This specific judgment on their wisdom sets the stage for the complete devastation described in the subsequent verses, emphasizing that no aspect of Edom's perceived strength will save them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Edom, located southeast of Judah, was descended from Esau, the elder twin-brother of Jacob ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "Genesis 25:23 - Jacob and Esau's Birth")). Despite this familial tie, a deep-seated and often violent animosity characterized the relationship between Edom and Israel throughout their history, frequently manifesting in opposition and betrayal. The specific historical offense precipitating this prophecy was Edom's malicious actions during Judah's time of extreme distress, particularly when Babylon besieged and plundered Jerusalem. Instead of offering aid or showing compassion, Edom gloated over Judah's downfall, participated in the looting, and even captured fleeing Israelites, handing them over to the enemy ([Obadiah 1:11-14](/obadiah/1-11-14 "Obadiah 1:11-14 - Edom's Cruelty to Judah")). Culturally, Edom, especially its region of Teman, was renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its wise men, skilled counselors, and strategic acumen, as evidenced in [Jeremiah 49:7](/jeremiah/49-7 "Jeremiah 49:7 - God's Judgment on Edom's Wisdom"). This reputation made the divine promise to destroy their wisdom particularly devastating and ironic.
* **Key Themes:** Obadiah 1:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, asserting that God's justice will prevail against all who oppose His people and His righteous standards. The phrase "saith the LORD" highlights that this is not merely a human prediction but an unchallengeable decree from the self-existent God, demonstrating His absolute control over nations and His commitment to covenant justice. Secondly, the verse exposes **The Folly of Earthly Wisdom Apart from God**. Edom's wisdom was a source of national pride and perceived security, yet God declares He will "destroy" it, rendering it utterly useless. This serves as a stark reminder that human wisdom, no matter how profound or celebrated, is ultimately impotent when it conflicts with God's purposes or is wielded for evil and pride. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Consequences of Pride and Cruelty**, showing that Edom's extreme arrogance and its cruel, unbrotherly actions against Judah will result in the removal of the very attributes they relied upon, leading to their complete and humiliating downfall.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **destroy (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** From H6, a primitive root meaning "to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)." This word signifies a complete and decisive removal, rendering something utterly ineffective or causing it to cease to exist. In the context of Obadiah 1:8, it indicates that Edom's wisdom and understanding will not merely diminish but will be utterly annihilated, leading to their strategic incapacitation and ultimate ruin.
* **wise (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** From H2450, meaning "intelligent, skillful or artful." It refers to those who possess practical skill, discernment, prudence, and often, a reputation for sagacity. Edom was known for its wise men, particularly from Teman, who were consulted for counsel and strategy. God's destruction of this "wise" counsel means their most valued intellectual asset will become worthless.
* **understanding (Hebrew, _tâbûwn'_):** From H8394, meaning "intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice; discretion, reason, skilfulness, wisdom." This word denotes insight, intelligence, and skillful planning. Its destruction signifies the removal of Edom's capacity for strategic thought, sound judgment, and effective decision-making, leaving them bereft of internal guidance and direction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD":** This opening rhetorical question, immediately followed by the divine affirmation "saith the LORD" (from H5002, _nᵉʼum_, an oracle, and H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_, the self-existent God), powerfully establishes the absolute certainty and divine origin of the impending judgment. "That day" (from H3117, _yôwm_, a day, often used figuratively for a specific time of judgment) refers to the appointed time of divine reckoning for Edom, underscoring that this is a predetermined event in God's sovereign plan. The question implies an emphatic "Indeed, I shall!"
* **"even destroy the wise [men] out of Edom":** This clause directly targets one of Edom's primary sources of national pride and security: its renowned wisdom and the wise individuals who embodied it. The verb "destroy" (H6, _ʼâbad_) signifies a complete and utter annihilation or rendering useless. God promises to eliminate the very intellectual capacity and astute counsel that Edom relied upon, stripping them of their strategic advantage and leaving them vulnerable and without guidance.
* **"and understanding out of the mount of Esau?":** This parallel clause reinforces the first, broadening the scope of the judgment to encompass all forms of Edomite intelligence, insight, and strategic planning (H8394, _tâbûwn_). "The mount of Esau" (H2022, _har_, a mountain, and H6215, _ʻÊsâv_, Esau, referring to the Edomite territory) emphasizes that this destruction of wisdom will permeate the entire nation, from its highest peaks to its deepest valleys, leaving no corner untouched by this divine incapacitation. The rhetorical question again demands an affirmative answer, confirming the totality of the judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The primary device is **Rhetorical Question**, "Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD...?" which serves not to elicit an answer but to emphasize the absolute certainty and inevitability of the divine judgment. It functions as a powerful affirmation, underscoring God's unwavering resolve. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses "destroy the wise [men] out of Edom" and "and understanding out of the mount of Esau," where "wise men" is paralleled with "understanding," and "Edom" with "the mount of Esau." This synonymous parallelism reinforces the totality of the judgment, showing that both the practitioners of wisdom and wisdom itself will be removed from the entire Edomite territory. The phrase "saith the LORD" acts as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, lending ultimate authority and gravity to the pronouncement. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony**, as Edom, known for its wisdom, will have that very wisdom removed by divine decree, highlighting the futility of human strength when it opposes God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Obadiah 1:8 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereignty over human intellect and national strength. It reveals that true wisdom originates from God, and any wisdom used for pride, cruelty, or in opposition to His will is ultimately hollow and subject to divine dismantling. This verse underscores the biblical principle that human wisdom, when divorced from divine truth and righteousness, leads to folly and destruction. It serves as a stark warning against self-reliance and the arrogance that often accompanies perceived intellectual superiority, reminding us that God can, and will, render the counsel of the wise foolish when it stands against His purposes.

* [Job 12:17](/job/12-17 "Job 12:17 - God leads counselors away stripped")
* [Isaiah 19:11-12](/isaiah/19-11-12 "Isaiah 19:11-12 - The Princes of Zoan are fools")
* [1 Corinthians 1:19](/1_corinthians/1-19 "1 Corinthians 1:19 - God will destroy the wisdom of the wise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Obadiah 1:8 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, urging us to examine the source and purpose of our own wisdom and understanding. In a world that often exalts human intellect, strategic prowess, and technological advancement, this verse serves as a sobering reminder that true wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")). When we rely solely on our own understanding, our plans, no matter how brilliant, can be rendered useless by God if they are not aligned with His will or if they are tainted by pride and self-interest. This passage calls us to humility, encouraging us to seek divine wisdom in all our endeavors, trusting that God's ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher")). It also provides comfort, assuring us that God sees and will ultimately address injustices and the arrogance of those who oppress His people, demonstrating that no nation or individual can escape divine accountability.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to rely more on my own intellect and strategy than on God's wisdom and guidance?**
* **How does the concept of God "destroying" human wisdom challenge my understanding of success and security in the world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater reliance on divine wisdom in my daily decisions and long-term plans?**
* **How can I guard against the pride that often accompanies intellectual or strategic achievements, ensuring my wisdom is used for God's glory and not my own?**

### FAQ

**What was Edom's "wisdom" known for, and why was its destruction significant?**

Answer: Edom, particularly its region of Teman, was renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its wise men, skilled counselors, and strategic acumen. This reputation is even mentioned in other prophetic books, such as [Jeremiah 49:7](/jeremiah/49-7 "Jeremiah 49:7 - God's judgment on Teman's wisdom"). Their wisdom likely encompassed political strategy, military tactics, and perhaps even philosophical or legal insights. The destruction of this wisdom was highly significant because it targeted the very foundation of Edom's national pride, security, and perceived invincibility. By removing their understanding, God was not just punishing them but rendering them utterly helpless and unable to defend themselves or make sound decisions, ensuring their complete downfall.

**Does this verse imply that all human wisdom is inherently bad or destined for destruction?**

Answer: Not at all. The Bible often commends wisdom, particularly wisdom that comes from God or is used for righteous purposes (e.g., [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord gives wisdom")). Obadiah 1:8 specifically addresses Edom's wisdom, which was characterized by pride, self-reliance, and was used to plot against and gloat over God's people ([Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")). The destruction of Edom's wisdom is a judgment against wisdom that is divorced from God, used for evil, or becomes a source of arrogant self-trust. It highlights that human intellect, when it stands in opposition to God's will or fuels unrighteousness, is ultimately futile and subject to divine judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Obadiah 1:8, with its pronouncement of the destruction of human wisdom, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's revelation of Jesus Christ as the true and ultimate wisdom of God. While Edom's earthly wisdom was a source of pride and led to their downfall, God's divine wisdom, embodied in Christ, is the path to salvation and true understanding. [1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18-25 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God") powerfully declares that "the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." The cross, which seemed foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews, is revealed as the very power and wisdom of God for those who are being saved. In Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom")). Therefore, the judgment on Edom's self-reliant wisdom foreshadows the broader biblical truth that all human wisdom, apart from Christ, is ultimately vain and will be brought to nothing. Our reliance must shift from our own limited intellect to the infinite, saving wisdom found only in the person and work of Jesus, who became for us "wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ our Wisdom, Righteousness, Holiness, and Redemption")).

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

Isaiah 29:14

Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid.

Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

Job 5:14

They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

Psalms 33:10

The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

Isaiah 19:13

The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, [even they that are] the stay of the tribes thereof.

Isaiah 19:14

The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken [man] staggereth in his vomit.

Isaiah 19:3

And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.