Obadiah 1:2
What does Obadiah 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Obadiah 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Obadiah 1:2 means
Jehovah declares that Edom, once confident and influential, has been made small and despised among the nations. This is a sovereign reversal. While Edom esteemed itself, God has determined its humiliation. Public contempt follows divine demotion; when God brings a people low, their supposed stature collapses before others. The statement looks beyond appearances—no fortress, trade route, or alliance will preserve Edom’s reputation. The nations will look down on what God has judged. This verdict is already pronounced—"I have made"—stressing its certainty. The verse assures God’s people that Edom’s present pride is temporary and that the Lord’s evaluation, not human boasting, finally stands.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, I have made thee small among the nations: thou art greatly despised.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, I have made thee small among the nations: thou art greatly despised.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, I have made you small among the nations: you are much looked down on.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, little I have made thee among nations, Despised <FI>art<Fi> thou exceedingly.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold I have made thee small among the nations: thou art exceeding contemptible.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, I have made thee small among the nations; thou art greatly despised.
Context
After announcing a worldwide summons against Edom, the prophecy states the outcome in God’s own terms: reduction and disgrace. This sets up the explanation of what fed Edom’s arrogance and the instruments by which God will bring them down. The following verses (3–9) will detail the deception of Edom’s pride, the inevitability of their fall, the completeness of the plunder, betrayal by allies, and the collapse of both wisdom and military strength. The movement here is from the divine verdict to the reasons and means that fulfill it.
v.1The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord Jehovah concerning Edom: We have heard tidings from Jehovah, and an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
v.2This passage
v.3The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 24:18
And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession, who were his enemies; While Israel doeth valiantly.
- Psalms 107:39
Again, they are diminished and bowed down Through oppression, trouble, and sorrow.
- 1 Samuel 2:7
Jehovah maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, he also lifteth up.
- Job 34:25
Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
- Luke 1:51
He hath showed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their heart.
- Ezekiel 29:15
It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it any more lift itself up above the nations: and I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.