Obadiah 1:5-9
“If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?”
King James Version
Edom's total devastation exceeding that of mere thieves — nothing left, completely exposed and cut off.
Fulfillment References
Jeremiah 49:9-10 Malachi 1:3-4 Hebrews 12:16
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalEdom — Esau, 'a profane person' (Heb. 12:16) — is stripped and brought low in the day of the LORD for his pride and his violence against his brother Jacob. The downfall of proud Edom typifies the judgment of all flesh that exalts itself against God's people; what Edom's wisdom and might could not save, the Lord overthrows, for the victory and the kingdom belong to God in Christ.
JewishA judgment oracle against Edom (Esau's descendants), Judah's treacherous kinsman-enemy; though hidden and fortified, Edom will be thoroughly plundered, her wise men and warriors destroyed.
CatholicThe humbling of proud Edom, read morally of the fall of arrogance and enmity toward God's people, and eschatologically of the judgment of the nations.
ProtestantGod's certain judgment on Edom's pride and false security — a warning that human wisdom and might cannot deliver from the day of the LORD.
AcademicA judgment oracle sharing material with Jeremiah 49:7-22; the rhetorical questions ('if thieves came...') stress the totality of Edom's coming plunder.
Open the full interactive entry →
Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.