And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it.

OBADIAH 1:18KJV
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Obadiah 1:18 (KJV)

What does Obadiah 1:18 mean?

Obadiah 1:18 says that the families of Jacob and Joseph (representing Israel) will be like fire and flame, while the family of Esau (Edom) will be like dry stubble that gets burned up, leaving nothing behind. This verse promises that Edom will be completely defeated and wiped out, because God has declared it.

Obadiah is a prophet speaking to the people of Judah about the future of their enemies, especially Edom, who had harmed them. The verse uses strong imagery: Israel as fire and Edom as something easily destroyed. The message is that God’s judgment against Edom is certain and final, and it is not just a human prediction but a divine promise.

The Hebrew behind Obadiah 1:18

  • "Fire" (אֵשׁ, ’esh): This word is often used in the Hebrew Bible to picture something powerful, consuming, and unstoppable. Here, it shows that Jacob’s descendants will be the active force of destruction.
  • "Stubble" (קַשׁ, qash): Stubble is the leftover dry stalks after grain is harvested—something that burns up quickly and easily. This highlights how completely Edom will be destroyed.
  • "Kindle" (דָּלַק, dalaq): This word means to set on fire or ignite. It emphasizes that the destruction is not accidental but intentional and directed.
  • "Devour" (אָכַל, akhal): This word means to eat or consume. It adds to the sense of total destruction—nothing of Edom will be left.

Why Obadiah 1:18 matters

  • Obadiah 1:18 clears up that the judgment against Edom is not partial or temporary; it is total and permanent, as described by the image of fire leaving no stubble.
  • The verse emphasizes that this outcome is not just a result of human conflict but is specifically because "the LORD has spoken it," making it a divine decree.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Obadiah, where God holds nations accountable for their actions, especially those who harm His people, and shows that God’s promises of justice are certain.

Where else these words appear

“kindle” Hebrew H1814 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 31:36 And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
  • Psalms 7:13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.
  • Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!

“stubble” Hebrew H7179 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
  • Psalms 83:13 O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
  • Isaiah 47:14 Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.

“flame” Hebrew H3852 · used in 19 verses

  • Numbers 21:28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
  • Isaiah 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
  • Lamentations 2:3 He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about.

“remaining” Hebrew H8300 · used in 28 verses

  • Numbers 21:35 So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
  • Joshua 10:37 And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.
  • Job 27:15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.