I. Peoples, Places, and Historical Context:;xNLx;;xNLx;Edom / Mount Seir / Esau (Obadiah 1, 6, 8, 9, 18, 19, 21):;xNLx;Edom: The nation and territory southeast of Judah (and the Dead Sea), traditionally descended from Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). Throughout much of their history, Edom and Israel had a contentious and often hostile relationship, despite their ancestral connection. Obadiah denounces Edom for its actions against Judah.;xNLx;Mount Seir: The mountainous region where Edom was located, known for its rugged, defensible terrain.;xNLx;Esau: The elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin brother of Jacob (Israel). He is the progenitor of the Edomites. The prophecy often refers to Edom as "the house of Esau.";xNLx;Teman (Obadiah 9): An important city or region in Edom, known for its wisdom. Its downfall is mentioned as part of Edom's judgment.;xNLx;Judah / Jacob / Israel / House of Jacob / House of Joseph (Obadiah 10, 12, 17, 18, 21):;xNLx;Judah: The southern kingdom of Israel, whose capital was Jerusalem. Obadiah addresses Edom's violence against "your brother Jacob," referring to Judah.;xNLx;Jacob: The patriarch whose name was changed to Israel, and the father of the twelve tribes. In Obadiah, "Jacob" or "house of Jacob" refers to the people of Israel/Judah, emphasizing their fraternal relationship with Edom (descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother).;xNLx;Israel: The covenant people of God, descendants of Jacob.;xNLx;House of Joseph: Can refer to the northern tribes of Israel (especially Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons) or, more broadly in this context of restoration, the entire people of God alongside the "house of Jacob.";xNLx;Zion / Mount Zion (Obadiah 17, 21): The hill in Jerusalem where the city of David and the Temple were located. In Obadiah, it symbolizes the place of God's dwelling, deliverance for the remnant of Judah, and the future center of God's kingdom and rule.;xNLx;The Day of their Calamity / Distress / Ruin / Disaster (Obadiah 12, 13, 14): Refers to the time of Judah's great suffering and destruction, specifically the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, during which Edom acted maliciously.;xNLx;The Day of the LORD (Obadiah 15): A significant prophetic concept referring to a time when God will directly and decisively intervene in human history for judgment against wickedness (in this case, Edom and all nations that oppose God's people) and for the salvation and vindication of His righteous people. It is a day of reckoning and divine justice.;xNLx;Nations / Gentiles (Obadiah 15, 16): Non-Israelite peoples. Obadiah declares that the day of the LORD is near upon all nations, and they will be judged according to their deeds, just as Edom will be.;xNLx;The Negeb (Obadiah 19, 20): The arid southern region of Judah. Obadiah foresees its resettlement by the returning exiles of Judah.;xNLx;Shephelah (Obadiah 19): The western foothills or lowlands between the coastal plain and the hill country of Judah, also prophesied to be repossessed.;xNLx;Gilead (Obadiah 19): A fertile region east of the Jordan River, formerly part of Israelite territory, which is also to be repossessed.;xNLx;Phoenicia (implied by "Canaanites as far as Zarephath," Obadiah 20): The coastal region north of Israel, known for cities like Tyre and Sidon. Zarephath was a Phoenician town.;xNLx;Sepharad (Obadiah 20): A location to which Judean exiles were taken. Its exact identification is uncertain; possibilities include Sardis in Lydia (western Asia Minor) or a place in Spain.;xNLx;II. Key Themes and Actions:;xNLx;;xNLx;Pride / Arrogance (Obadiah 3, 4): A central sin of Edom, stemming from its secure, mountainous dwelling ("you who live in the clefts of the rock"). Edom's pride led it to believe it was invulnerable and to act arrogantly.;xNLx;Violence (done to your brother Jacob) (Obadiah 10): Hostile, injurious, and aggressive actions. Edom is condemned for the violence it committed against Judah.;xNLx;Stood aloof / Stood aside (Obadiah 11): Edom's passive complicity and failure to help Judah when foreigners entered Jerusalem and plundered it. They are condemned for not acting as a brother should.;xNLx;Gloated / Rejoiced (over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin) (Obadiah 12): To feel or express great, often malicious, pleasure or self-satisfaction over someone else's misfortune. Edom took pleasure in Judah's downfall.;xNLx;Boasted (in the day of distress) (Obadiah 12): To speak with excessive pride and self-satisfaction, especially in a taunting or arrogant way, about Judah's suffering.;xNLx;Looted his goods / Plundered his possessions (Obadiah 13): To steal goods from a place or people, typically during a war or disaster. Edom took advantage of Judah's destruction to plunder them.;xNLx;Cut off his fugitives / Handed over his survivors (Obadiah 14): Edom actively captured those from Judah who were trying to escape the Babylonians and either killed them or handed them over to the enemy.;xNLx;Possess / Possession (Obadiah 17, 19, 20): To take or hold as one's own property. The prophecy declares that the "house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions," meaning they will repossess their land and the territory of their enemies, including Edom.;xNLx;Deliverance / Deliverers / Saviors (Obadiah 17, 21): Rescue from danger, oppression, or judgment. Mount Zion will be a place of deliverance for a remnant, and "saviors" (deliverers or rulers) will arise there to govern Edom.;xNLx;Holy / Holiness (Obadiah 17): Set apart for God, sacred. Mount Zion will be holy, a place of God's pure presence and for His redeemed people.;xNLx;Stubble (Obadiah 18): The dry stalks of grain left after reaping, easily consumed by fire. Edom ("house of Esau") is described as becoming stubble before the "house of Jacob" and "house of Joseph," who will be like a fire and a flame, consuming them in judgment.;xNLx;Kingdom shall be the LORD's (Obadiah 21): The ultimate outcome prophesied, where God's sovereignty and righteous rule will be universally established and acknowledged, with His people victorious and governing under Him.;xNLx;This list aims to clarify some of the important terms and concepts in the brief but potent prophecy of Obadiah (ESV), enabling a better understanding of its message of divine justice against those who mistreat God's people and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom.