Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
Obadiah 1:7 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 7. 7All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Shows trusted allies, peace partners, and bread companions turning deception and a hidden trap against Edom.
Ordinary thieves would have left a remainder
This verse is one part of that explanation in Obadiah 1:5–7. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Obadiah 1:5–7
Read verses 5–7 together. The earlier plunder images show the completeness of Edom's loss, while verse 7 explains that even trusted partners become instruments of reversal.
Why This Verse Appears Here
After exposing hidden wealth, the oracle exposes the failure of Edom's relationships; neither material reserves nor alliances can secure it.
Follow the Context
- Two rhetorical comparisons observe that ordinary robbers take only enough and ordinary harvesters leave gleanings.
- Edom's fate is worse: Esau's possessions and hidden stores are thoroughly searched.
- Confederates bring Edom to the border.
- Peace partners and bread companions deceive and overpower Edom.
- The final clause describes an unseen injury, trap, or snare and concludes that Edom lacks understanding.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“laid a wound under thee”
In plain language: Trusted partners place an unseen injury or trap beneath Edom.
The exact noun is disputed, while deception by allies is explicit.
Why it matters: The clear parallelism must carry more weight than a contested lexical solution.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
Obadiah 1:7 does not identify Edom's allies, and its difficult final noun should not be presented as though 'wound,' 'trap,' or an emendation were certain.
What Remains True
Alliances built on interest cannot guarantee faithful solidarity, especially when injustice has already hollowed out discernment.
How It Can Shape Life
- Evaluate partnerships by truth and justice rather than assuming shared meals, contracts, or interests make betrayal impossible.
Teach It Back
Explain Obadiah 1:7's contribution to Obadiah 1:5–7: Shows trusted allies, peace partners, and bread companions turning deception and a hidden trap against Edom. Include what the surrounding verses add, what remains uncertain, and what the verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Obadiah 1:5–7 — Edom Is Thoroughly Plundered and Betrayed by AlliesSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The final line is textually and lexically difficult; wound, trap, snare, and emendation proposals remain debated.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording and complete verse coverage for this thought unit.
Exact location: Obadiah 1:5–7, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗hebrew text and morphology
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible: Obadiah
Open Scriptures
Open Scriptures, release 2.2
Supports: Hebrew forms, clause boundaries, repeated roots, names, and the base wording behind translation discussion.
Exact location: Open Scriptures MorphHB v.2.2 (commit 6a5db284c715c18b239422e57bb89684e6a19f00), wlc/Obad.xml, Masoretic words and morphology for 1:5–7
Open source ↗translation and translator notes
NET Bible: Obadiah with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2006
Supports: Material translation, syntax, text, date, geography, and uncertainty notes for the unit.
Exact location: NET Bible Obadiah PDF, pp. 1723–1727, translation and notes on 1:5–7
Open source ↗