Obadiah 1:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The phrase “there is no sense in them” refers to the false prophets and deceivers, the flatterers, and those who mislead with false astrological interpretations, indulging in delusions that they could glean knowledge of future events. Those who were dedicated to idolatry were particularly affected by these deceptions. The Idumeans, troubled by the impending conflicts, sought to discern the outcomes of the struggles ahead. They assembled experts in such affairs and charged them to predict the war's implications; they likely predicted victory. Yet, they were ultimately exposed and lost credibility, for they lacked genuine foresight, revealing their madness through their fabrications.

Moreover, it was indicated that those from Teman or Idumea, once valiant, would become fearful and timid. “And thy soldiers shall fear, which are of Theban, that a man may be weaned from the mountain of Esau,” suggesting the complete destruction of the Idumeans. The undeniable source of their ceaseless misfortunes is articulated in the phrase, “for the sake of plague and wickedness against thy brother.” Their act of slaying a close kin, meaning Jacob or his descendants, leads to their own annihilation through warfare, ending in utter shame and disgrace. It is declared that they will inevitably face such dire consequences, as indicated by the prophecy: “And thou shalt be rejected for ever.” The expression “from this day” recalls the period when the Babylonians invaded and ravaged Judah, besieging all who had assembled in Jerusalem; during this time, the Idumeans betrayed those fleeing, slaying them and aiding their oppressors, even as they led the descendants of Jacob into bondage. Thus, they shared in the suffering of their kin, demonstrating cruelty nearly on par with that of the Babylonians.

Thus it is stated, “Your warriors will be terrified from Theban,” which we interpret as “south.” Esau, as previously mentioned, is known by three names, and the southern part of his dominion carries three titles: Darom, Peman, and Nagevah, each signifying, according to Ezekiel, “south,” “south-west,” and “noon.” When the courageous men of his realm, who inhabited the south, are gripped with fear, the man upon the heights of Esau, who would normally defend the citizens and provide wise counsel, will meet his end. Alternatively, when those who were formerly deceived turn towards the Church, the wise men of Edom, who were focused on worldly and fleshly matters, will fall in the battle that the Lord Himself will wage, and prudence will be dismantled on the heights of Esau, who has stood against the wisdom of God. Those who previously engaged in dialectical debate to support Esau and Edom, and who were the backbone of “Theman,” meaning “extermination,” will no longer defend their teachers; or those who once clung to the enlightenment of knowledge, believing themselves to be in the south, will be overwhelmed with fear and dread when the man of the Church prevails over their fallacies, leaving no one to defend the pride and false teachings of heretics through royal counsel or military might.