Obadiah 1:12
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)
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The verse doesn't just condemn gloating; it highlights a progression of malice, starting with a "look" of pleasure, deepening into open rejoicing, and finally erupting into proud, boastful words. This warns us that even a silent, smug satisfaction in another's misfortune is a dangerous first step toward actively celebrating their downfall.
The prophet Obadiah is speaking directly to the nation of Edom, condemning their actions and attitudes towards their “brother” nation, Judah. Edom stood by and even actively participated in the suffering of Judah when Babylon attacked Jerusalem, gloating and boasting in their distress rather than showing compassion. This passage serves as a divine rebuke, warning Edom that their cruel rejoicing and participation in Judah's downfall would not go unpunished.
Have you ever felt a secret satisfaction when someone you dislike faces a setback? Obadiah calls out this dangerous human tendency.
Beyond Neutrality: The Danger of Passive Pleasure
This verse zeroes in on a particularly insidious form of malice: the passive enjoyment of another's suffering. It's not just about not helping when someone falls; it's about taking pleasure in their fall.
The context here is Edom's reaction to Judah's suffering. While Edom didn't directly cause Judah's downfall at the hands of the Babylonians, they stood by and reveled in it. This verse warns against that kind of 'malicious neutrality.' It’s a call to recognize our shared humanity and vulnerability, and to actively resist the temptation to feel superior when others stumble.
When disaster strikes, how should we see the suffering of others, especially those we might have friction with?
Recognizing the 'Day of Your Brother'
Obadiah uses the phrase 'the day of your brother' or 'the day of their ruin' multiple times. This isn't just a neutral description of an event; it's a loaded phrase that calls for a specific response.
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 prophecy unfolds against the backdrop of Jerusalem's destruction by Babylon, a devastating event where Edom's cruel 'neutrality' and outright participation in the suffering of their 'brother' nation of Judah brought divine judgment upon themselves.
c. 840 BC
Edom's persistent hostility
Edom, descendants of Esau (Jacob's brother), harbored a deep-seated animosity towards Israel, stemming from ancient rivalries. Prophets like Amos and Joel had already condemned Edom for acts of violence and hatred against Judah.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and takes a first group of exiles, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
After a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, and plunders the temple in Jerusalem.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population to Babylon. Edomites are noted for their active participation and gloating during this catastrophe.
This proverb directly warns against the very behavior Obadiah condemns, stating that those who rejoice at calamity will not go unpunished, highlighting the divine disapproval of gloating over others' misfortune.
Psalm 137:7This psalm echoes the sentiment of Obadiah by invoking God's remembrance against the Edomites for their cruel words ('Lay bare, lay bare, even to the foundation') during Jerusalem's destruction, illustrating the deep-seated animosity and taunting Obadiah addresses.
Ezekiel 35:5-6This passage from Ezekiel directly references Edom's 'perpetual hatred' and shedding of blood against Israel, particularly in their time of calamity, showing a historical pattern of the very actions Obadiah is denouncing.
Luke 10:30-37Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan contrasts the cruel indifference and potential malice of the priest and Levite with the compassionate action of the Samaritan, illustrating the principle of neighborly love that forbids rejoicing in or ignoring another's distress.
Romans 12:15This New Testament instruction to 'Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep' provides a direct counter-command to the attitude condemned in Obadiah, emphasizing empathy and shared human experience as God's standard.
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 condemn gloating; it highlights a progression of malice, starting with a "look" of pleasure, deepening into open rejoicing, and finally erupting into proud, boastful words. This warns us that even a silent, smug satisfaction in another's misfortune is a dangerous first step toward actively celebrating their downfall.
The prophet Obadiah is speaking directly to the nation of Edom, condemning their actions and attitudes towards their “brother” nation, Judah. Edom stood by and even actively participated in the suffering of Judah when Babylon attacked Jerusalem, gloating and boasting in their distress rather than showing compassion. This passage serves as a divine rebuke, warning Edom that their cruel rejoicing and participation in Judah's downfall would not go unpunished.
The prophet Obadiah is speaking directly to the nation of Edom, condemning their actions and attitudes towards their “brother” nation, Judah. Edom stood by and even actively participated in the suffering of Judah when Babylon attacked Jerusalem, gloating and boasting in their distress rather than showing compassion. This passage serves as a divine rebuke, warning Edom that their cruel rejoicing and participation in Judah's downfall would not go unpunished.
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This teaches us that while we may have disagreements or past hurts, the 'day of distress' for anyone – especially a fellow human or believer – demands empathy, not exultation. It's a call to remember that we are all susceptible to hardship and that compassion should transcend personal grievances.
c. 540 BC
Obadiah's Prophecy
The prophet Obadiah delivers his message, condemning Edom's actions during Jerusalem's fall and predicting future judgment against them.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, allows the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. Edom's continued antagonism toward the returning exiles is noted.
"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 condemn gloating; it highlights a progression of malice, starting with a "look" of pleasure, deepening into open rejoicing, and finally erupting into proud, boastful words. Thi…
