What does Obadiah 1:2 mean?
"Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised." - Obadiah 1:2
The verse Obadiah 1:2 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised." This verse is a part of the book of Obadiah, which is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. The book of Obadiah contains a single chapter and is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Despite its brevity, the book of Obadiah carries deep significance and contains powerful messages about the consequences of pride, arrogance, and mistreatment of others.
The book of Obadiah is primarily focused on the nation of Edom, which was a neighboring nation to Israel. The prophet Obadiah delivers a message of judgment against Edom for its pride and mistreatment of the people of Israel. In verse 2, the Lord speaks directly to Edom, declaring that he has made them small among the nations and that they are greatly despised.
This verse encapsulates the theme of divine judgment and retribution. The language used is strong and employs imagery that conveys the depth of God's displeasure with Edom. The phrase "I have made thee small among the heathen" suggests that the once proud and powerful nation of Edom has been reduced to a position of insignificance and vulnerability. This reflects the consequences of their sinful actions and serves as a warning to other nations about the dangers of arrogance and mistreatment of others.
The phrase "thou art greatly despised" further emphasizes the severity of God's judgment against Edom. It highlights the depth of the nation's degradation in the eyes of God and serves as a reminder of the consequences of pride and mistreatment of others. In this verse, Edom is being held accountable for their actions, and the language is intended to convey the magnitude of their offense in the eyes of God.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its significance. The nation of Edom had a long history of hostility and mistreatment towards the people of Israel. They had taken advantage of Israel's vulnerability and had not shown them mercy or compassion. This verse serves as a warning to Edom and to all nations about the consequences of mistreating others and allowing pride to consume their hearts.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful and multifaceted. The imagery of being made "small among the heathen" conveys the idea of losing stature, power, and influence. It speaks to the reality of how pride and mistreatment of others can lead to a downfall and a loss of standing. The phrase "greatly despised" carries the weight of shame and condemnation, highlighting the severity of God's judgment against Edom.
Overall, Obadiah 1:2 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and mistreatment of others. It highlights the importance of humility, compassion, and justice in the eyes of God. This verse conveys a warning to all nations about the dangers of arrogance and the need to treat others with kindness and respect. It serves as a call to reflect on our actions and relationships with others, and to seek righteousness and humility in all that we do.
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Obadiah 1:2 - "Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised."
"Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised." - Obadiah 1:2
1 Kings 18:3 - "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:"
Obadiah 1:4
Obadiah 1:1 - "The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle."
1 Chronicles 12:9 - "Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,"
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:" - 1 Kings 18:3
1 Chronicles 27:19 - "Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah: of Naphtali, Jerimoth the son of Azriel:"
Obadiah 1:6 - "How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!"
1 Kings 18:16 - "So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah."
Obadiah 1:17 - "¶ But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions."
Obadiah 1:21 - "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S."
1 Chronicles 3:21 - "And the sons of Hananiah; Pelatiah, and Jesaiah: the sons of Rephaiah, the sons of Arnan, the sons of Obadiah, the sons of Shechaniah."
Obadiah 1:4 – "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
Obadiah 1:8 - "Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?"
Obadiah 1:4 – "Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down."
1 Chronicles 7:3 - "And the sons of Uzzi; Izrahiah: and the sons of Izrahiah; Michael, and Obadiah, and Joel, Ishiah, five: all of them chief men."
Obadiah 1:10 - "¶ For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever."
"Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third," - 1 Chronicles 12:9
1 Chronicles 9:16 - "And Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun, and Berechiah the son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, that dwelt in the villages of the Netophathites."
1 Chronicles 9:44 - "And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan: these were the sons of Azel."
Obadiah 1:9 - "And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter."
1 Chronicles 8:38 - "And Azel had six sons, whose names are these, Azrikam, Bocheru, and Ishmael, and Sheariah, and Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were the sons of Azel."
Obadiah 1:19 - "And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gilead."
2 Chronicles 17:7 - "¶ Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
1 Kings 18:6 - "So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself."
Obadiah 1:20 - "And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south."
Obadiah 1:4 - "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD."
1 Kings 18:7 - "¶ And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?"
"The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle." - Obadiah 1:1