But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just forbid outward gloating; it starts with "do not gloat," "do not rejoice," and "do not boast," highlighting that even silent satisfaction or internal pride in another's suffering is condemned. This progression shows that Edom's offense wasn't just malicious actions, but a deeply ingrained attitude of delight in Judah's misfortune.
But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Obadiah is addressing the Edomites, descendants of Esau, after they sided with Babylon against their brother nation, Judah, during Jerusalem's destruction. This verse is a direct rebuke of their cruel actions and triumphant rejoicing over Judah's downfall. The prophecy condemns their complacent watching, malicious joy, and boastful mockery as Judah suffered, highlighting a deep-seated hatred that God would not let stand unpunished.
Ever felt a secret thrill when someone you don't like faces trouble? Obadiah calls this out directly, and it’s a warning for us today.
This verse is a powerful indictment against taking pleasure in the misfortune of others, especially those we might have a strained relationship with – in this case, the Edomites with their
The Edomites were supposed to be 'brothers' to Judah. But they acted like strangers. What does true brotherhood look like when someone is hurting?
The heart of Obadiah's message here is about kinship and empathy. Edom and Judah shared a common ancestor, Jacob and Esau. Yet, when Judah fell, Edom didn't just stand by neutrally; they actively celebrated and even participated in Judah's ruin.
This isn't just about avoiding bad behavior; it's about cultivating a heart of compassion. When someone faces hardship – whether it's a personal struggle, a community crisis, or even a nation's downfall – our default posture shouldn't be judgment or glee. Instead, we are called to remember our shared humanity and our connection through God's greater covenant.
The text implies that when someone becomes a 'stranger' in their own land due to calamity, they need compassion, not scorn. This reflects God's own heart, which grieves over sin and destruction.
Obadiah describes a progression of sin – from just 'looking' with pleasure to 'speaking proudly.' What does this escalation tell us about how sin takes root?
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The prophet Obadiah lays out a clear progression of sin in this verse, moving from internal feelings to outward actions:
The commentators note that the original Hebrew could be understood as commands: 'Do not look,' 'Do not rejoice,' 'Do not boast.' This suggests that these are not merely descriptions of past actions but strong warnings against repeating them. The sin starts subtly and can escalate into harmful actions if not checked.
Understand the original words
ra'ah · Hebrew Verb
A feeling of malicious joy or triumph over the suffering and misfortune of others. It is fundamentally contrary to biblical love and is condemned as a prideful and ungodly attitude.
ach · Hebrew Noun
Refers to those related by blood or covenant. Biblically, it highlights the duty of solidarity, protection, and love, making the betrayal by Edom against Jacob particularly heinous.
ed · Hebrew Noun
A state of intense adversity, trouble, or affliction. It is often used to describe times when a person or nation is under severe testing or divine judgment.
This verse powerfully condemns Edom's cruel indifference and outright hostility towards Judah during the nation's darkest hour. It highlights that true fellowship means bearing one another's burdens, not celebrating their downfall.
c. 840 BC
Jehoram's Defeat by Edom
During King Jehoram's reign, Edom revolted from Judah and established its own kingdom, a significant grievance for the Edomites against their Judahite 'brother'. This event hints at a long-standing tension between the two nations.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, but Jerusalem was miraculously spared. During this crisis, Edom likely maintained a hostile neutrality or perhaps even sided with Assyria, further straining relations.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, crown prince of Babylon, defeats the Egyptians and Assyrians and begins deporting Jewish nobles and skilled workers to Babylon. This marks the start of Judah's Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, after a rebellion. Edom's opportunistic actions during this period likely solidified their negative portrayal.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the remaining population. Edomite forces actively participated in the destruction, looting, and capturing Judean refugees, which is the specific context for Obadiah's prophecy.
c. 585-570 BC
Obadiah's Prophecy
The prophet Obadiah delivers his message of judgment against Edom for their cruelty and gloating over Judah's destruction during the Babylonian conquest.
550-539 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great begins his conquest, eventually leading to the fall of Babylon. This shift in geopolitical power would eventually allow for the return of some exiles from Judah.
This verse warns against rejoicing in an enemy's misfortune, directly echoing the prohibition in Obadiah and highlighting that such glee will not go unpunished.
Psalm 35:13-15This psalm describes a sorrowful response to the suffering of enemies, contrasting sharply with the malicious rejoicing condemned in Obadiah and showing a more Christ-like attitude.
Ezekiel 35:5-6This passage from Ezekiel directly accuses Edom of perpetual hatred and rejoicing in Israel's destruction, referencing the very actions forbidden by Obadiah and predicting judgment.
Psalm 137:7This psalm recalls the cruel taunts of the Edomites ('Lay bare, lay bare!') during Jerusalem's destruction, illustrating the 'spoken proudly' aspect of Obadiah 1:12 and showing the deep animosity Edom harbored.
cambridgeObadiah 1:12: "But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress."
12 . Thou shouldest not have looked … have rejoiced … have spoken ] rather, look not, rejoice not, speak not . In this verse it is the neutrality of Edom, spoken of as “standing on the other side” in the former part of O…
barnesObadiah 1:12: "But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress."
But thou shouldest not - , rather it means, and can only mean , "And look not (i. e., gaze not with pleasure) on the day of thy brother in the day of his becoming a stranger ; and rejoice not over the children of Judah…
The verse doesn't just forbid outward gloating; it starts with "do not gloat," "do not rejoice," and "do not boast," highlighting that even silent satisfaction or internal pride in another's suffering is condemned. This progression shows that Edom's offense wasn't just malicious actions, but a deeply ingrained attitude of delight in Judah's misfortune.
The prophet Obadiah is addressing the Edomites, descendants of Esau, after they sided with Babylon against their brother nation, Judah, during Jerusalem's destruction. This verse is a direct rebuke of their cruel actions and triumphant rejoicing over Judah's downfall. The prophecy condemns their complacent watching, malicious joy, and boastful mockery as Judah suffered, highlighting a deep-seated hatred that God would not let stand unpunished.
The prophet Obadiah is addressing the Edomites, descendants of Esau, after they sided with Babylon against their brother nation, Judah, during Jerusalem's destruction. This verse is a direct rebuke of their cruel actions and triumphant rejoicing over Judah's downfall. The prophecy condemns their complacent watching, malicious joy, and boastful mockery as Judah suffered, highlighting a deep-seated hatred that God would not let stand unpunished.
"But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress." — The verse doesn't just forbid outward gloating; it starts with "do not gloat," "do not rejoice," and "do not boast," highlighting that even silent satisfaction or internal pride in another's sufferin…
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Last reviewed October 2026