Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the violence against "your brother Jacob" is the root cause of Edom's future shame and destruction. This isn't just any act of aggression; it's a betrayal of kinship, emphasizing how deeply God grieves when family ties are broken by cruelty and enmity.
Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This prophecy addresses the Edomites, descendants of Esau, for their cruel actions against their "brother" nation, Israel, descendants of Jacob. While God commanded kindness between the twin brothers' descendants, Edom sided with Israel's enemies, even rejoicing and participating in the plundering of Jerusalem during its fall. Obadiah declares that this treachery, especially given their familial tie, will bring lasting shame and complete destruction upon Edom.
Imagine the sting of betrayal when the one person you'd expect to stand by you, instead strikes you down. This verse highlights a specific kind of sin: violence against a 'brother.'
Obadiah calls out Edom for their 'violence against your brother Jacob.' This wasn't just any act of aggression; it was a violation of a deeply sacred bond.
The Ties That Bind
This betrayal was a profound sin because it disregarded the very foundation of their shared humanity and divine command to show love and respect to family.
Violence against the vulnerable, especially kin, carries a heavy price. Obadiah doesn't mince words about the final outcome for Edom.
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The prophecy against Edom contains two powerful declarations of consequence: 'shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever.'
The Weight of Shame
The Finality of Being Cut Off
This judgment reminds us that unaddressed sin and cruelty have devastating and final consequences, both in this life and in God's ultimate accounting.
Understand the original words
chamas · Hebrew Noun
In the Hebrew Bible, this term describes unjust, cruel, and oppressive behavior, often accompanied by physical force. It is a defining characteristic of those who act against God's moral order.
Ya'aqob · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to the son of Isaac, the father of the twelve tribes, and the recipient of the Abrahamic covenant. He serves as the representative of the chosen people of God.
bushah · Hebrew Noun
A state of humiliation, dishonor, and disgrace brought on by sin or divine judgment. It describes the inevitable outcome for those who exalt themselves against God or His people.
This prophecy hits hard because it’s not just about political conflict, but a betrayal of family. Edom, descended from Jacob's twin brother Esau, was called to treat Israel with kindness, yet they sided with Judah's enemies, even celebrating Jerusalem's destruction. Obadiah's message is a stark reminder that violence against even perceived 'enemies' is ultimately violence against a spiritual 'brother,' and God holds us accountable.
c. 1400 BC
Esau and Jacob's Birth
Esau and Jacob, twin brothers, are born to Isaac and Rebekah. Their rivalry and animosity begin early, foreshadowing future conflict between their descendants.
c. 1300 BC - 1200 BC
Edomites and Israelites Relations
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, occupy the territory south of Judah. Throughout Israel's history, their relationship is marked by hostility and conflict, despite kinship.
c. 800 BC - 700 BC
Prophetic Warnings Against Edom
Prophets like Amos and Isaiah issue judgments against Edom for their cruelty and violence against Israel, anticipating a future reckoning.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's forces deport some of Judah's elite to Babylon, including Daniel. Edom is noted for its hostility during this period.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian armies destroy Jerusalem and the Temple. Edomites are accused of actively participating in the destruction and rejoicing over Jerusalem's ruin, directly violating the command to treat them as kin.
c. 580 BC
Obadiah Delivers Judgment
Obadiah delivers his prophecy, condemning Edom for its violence against Judah during the fall of Jerusalem and pronouncing God's judgment of complete destruction.
c. 160s BC
Maccabean Wars and Edomite Subjugation
The Maccabees conquer and forcibly convert the Idumeans (Edomites) to Judaism, marking a significant shift in their national identity and presence.
This passage describes Esau's hatred for Jacob due to the stolen birthright, setting the stage for the ongoing animosity between their descendants that Obadiah addresses.
Deuteronomy 2:5This verse shows God's command to the Israelites to not provoke or take land from Esau's descendants, highlighting the Edomites' sin as a violation of a divine directive for peaceful coexistence.
Psalm 137:7This psalm echoes Obadiah's sentiment, showing the Edomites' active participation and joy in the destruction of Jerusalem, a specific act of violence against their 'brother' Jacob.
Ezekiel 35:5This passage directly rebukes Edom for its 'ancient enmity' and 'violence' against Israel, paralleling Obadiah's charge and expanding on the deep-seated hostility.
Malachi 1:4Centuries later, Malachi reiterates God's judgment against Edom for destroying their neighbor's 'inheritance,' showing that the sin described by Obadiah had long-lasting consequences and a recurring pattern.
cambridgeObadiah 1:10: "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever."
10 . Thy brother Jacob ] This was the great aggravation of the violence. “Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite, for he is thy brother,” was the command of God to the Jews ( Deuteronomy 23:7 ). Treachery from friends and allies was the meet punishment of such a sin. thou shalt be cut off for ever ] As the sin of Edom is concisely expressed in this verse by the one word violence, the…
barnesObadiah 1:10: "For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever."
For thy violence against thy brother Jacob - To Israel God had commanded: ( Deuteronomy 23:7-8 ( Deuteronomy 23:8 , Deuteronomy 23:9 in the Hebrew text)), "Thou shalt not abbor an Edomite, for he is thy brother. The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the Lord in their third generation." Edom did the contrary to all this. "Violence" includes…
The verse highlights that the violence against "your brother Jacob" is the root cause of Edom's future shame and destruction. This isn't just any act of aggression; it's a betrayal of kinship, emphasizing how deeply God grieves when family ties are broken by cruelty and enmity.
This prophecy addresses the Edomites, descendants of Esau, for their cruel actions against their "brother" nation, Israel, descendants of Jacob. While God commanded kindness between the twin brothers' descendants, Edom sided with Israel's enemies, even rejoicing and participating in the plundering of Jerusalem during its fall. Obadiah declares that this treachery, especially given their familial tie, will bring lasting shame and complete destruction upon Edom.
This prophecy addresses the Edomites, descendants of Esau, for their cruel actions against their "brother" nation, Israel, descendants of Jacob. While God commanded kindness between the twin brothers' descendants, Edom sided with Israel's enemies, even rejoicing and participating in the plundering of Jerusalem during its fall. Obadiah declares that this treachery, especially given their familial tie, will bring lasting shame and complete destruction upon Edom.
"Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever." — The verse highlights that the violence against "your brother Jacob" is the root cause of Edom's future shame and destruction. This isn't just any act of aggression; it's a betrayal of kinship, emphas…
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Last reviewed October 2026