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."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath,.... That is, the host or army, the great number of the children of Israel, that have been carried captive, upon their return shall possess that part of the land of Israel which was inhabited formerly by the Canaanites, even as far as to Zarephath, said to belong to Zidon, Kg1 17:10 ; and called Sarepta of Sidon; see Luk 4:26 . It is mentioned by Pliny (h) along with Sidon, where glass was made; and perhaps this place might have its name from the melting of glass in it, from which signifies to melt metals, glass, &c. it is called by Josephus (i) Sarephtha; who says it was not far from Sidon and Tyre, and lay between them: according to an Arabic geographer (k), it was twenty miles from Tyre, and ten from Sidon. Here the Prophet Elijah dwelt for a time; and in the times of Jerom (l)

was shown a little tower, said to be his habitation, which travellers visited. Mr. Maundrell (m) speaks of this place as three hours' journey from Sidon, and is now called "Sarphan, supposed (he says) to be the ancient Sarephath, or Sarepta, so famous for the residence and miracles of the Prophet Elijah; the place shown us for this city consisted of only a few houses on the tops of the mountains, within about half a mile of the sea; but it is more probable the principal part of, the city stood below, in the space between the hills and the sea, there being ruins still to be seen in that place, of a considerable extent?'' It was once a place very famous for wine; the wine of Sarepta is often made mention of by writers (n); perhaps vines might grow upon the hills and mountains about it; and this being a city of Phoenicia, on the northern border of the land of Israel, is very fitly observed as the limit of the possession of the Israelites this way; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south; the Jews, who were carried captive into Babylon, to Sepharad; some place, though unknown, perhaps in the land of Babylon. Calmet (o) conjectures it may be Sippara or Sipparat, in Mesopotamia, a little above the division of the Euphrates: and the Septuagint version renders it Ephratha; which perhaps is a corruption, of the Euphrates in the present copies: the Vulgate Latin version translates it Bosphorus; and so Jerom, who says that the Hebrew that taught him assured him that Bosphorus was called Sepharad; whither Adrian is said to carry the Jews captive. Kimchi and Aben Ezra interpret it of the present captivity of theirs by Titus, who upon their return to their land shall possess the, southern part of it, which originally belonged to the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:20 . If Sepharad, in the Assyrian language, signifies a border, as Jerom says it does, it denotes, as some think, that part of Arabia which borders on the south of Judea, that shall be inhabited by the Jews. Some render the words, "the captivity of Jerusalem shall possess that which is in Sepharad, and the cities of the south": but this is contrary to the accents, unless the words "shall possess" be repeated, and so two clauses made, "the captivity of Jerusalem shall possess that which is in Sepharad; they shall possess the cities of the south". The Targum and Syriac version, instead of Sepharad, have Spain; and so the Jewish writers generally interpret it. By the Canaanites they think are meant the Germans, and the country of Germany; by Zarephath, France; and by Sepharad, Spain; so Aben Ezra, Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, fancying that they who are now captives in these countries shall one day possess them: but the prophecy only respects their settlement in their own land, and some parts adjacent to it; or rather the enlargement of the church of Christ in the world. A late learned writer (p), is of opinion that some respect may be had to this passage in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, in which the former makes mention of "five brethren" that he had, Luk 16:28 ; and are by the said writer thus reckoned: 1. the house of Jacob; 2. the house of Joseph, which are said to possess the south, with the mountains of Esau, and the plain; 3. Benjamin, which shall possess Gilead; 4. the captives from the Assyrian captivity; 5. the captives from the Jerusalem captivity, namely, by Titus Vespasian, who shall possess the cities of the south. (h) Nat. Hist. l. 5. c. 19. (i) Antiqu. l. 8. c. 13. sect. 2. (k) Scherif Ibn Idris apud Reland. Palestina Illustrata, tom. 2. l. 3. p. 935. (l) Epitaph. Paulae, fol. 51. M. (m) Journey from Aleppo, &c. p. 48. Ed. 7. (n) Vid. Roland. ut supra. (o) Dictionary, in the word "Sepharad". (p) Teelmanni Specimen, & Explic. Parabol. p. 517.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (17 words)

H1546 גָּלוּת
Definition:

49t.;גָּלֻתObadiah 20 (twice in verse); suffixגָּלוּתִיIsaiah 45:13,גָּלוּתֵינוּEzekiel 33:21;Ezekiel 40:1(Qames unchangeable); —1absoluteexile,2 Kings 25:27;Jeremiah 52:31;Ezekiel 1:2;Ezekiel 33:21;E 49t.;גָּלֻתObadiah 20 (twice in verse); suffixגָּלוּתִיIsaiah 45:13,גָּלוּתֵינוּEzekiel 33:21;Ezekiel 40:1(Qames unchangeable); —1absoluteexile,2 Kings 25:27;Jeremiah 52:31;Ezekiel 1:2;Ezekiel 33:21;E

H2426 חֵיל
Definition:

8,חֵלLamentations 2:83t.;(+Psalm 10:10Qr seeחלכה); constructחֵל1 Kings 21:23; suffixחֵילֵךְPsalm 122:7,חֵילָהּZechariah 9:4;חֵילָה=חֵילָהּPsalm 48:14, Ol§ 40 approximately 75g. 96 eSta§ 347 c; —1rampa 8,חֵלLamentations 2:83t.;(+Psalm 10:10Qr seeחלכה); constructחֵל1 Kings 21:23; suffixחֵילֵךְPsalm 122:7,חֵילָהּZechariah 9:4;חֵילָה=חֵילָהּPsalm 48:14, Ol§ 40 approximately 75g. 96 eSta§ 347 c; —1rampa

Possible Meanings:
  • power (semantic_range)
  • strength (semantic_range)
  • army (semantic_range)
H2088 זֶה
Definition:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). The demonstrative fixes Eve’s identity as God’s specific gift to Adam.• Covenant Signs: “This is the sign of the covenant I am maki

H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל
Definition:

16(Hpt); MI5, + 5 t.ישראל; in EgyptianY-si-r-'lSteindZAW xvi (1896), 331, compare BreastedBib. World ix (1897), 62 ff.PatonSyr. and Pal. 134; AssyrianSir-'-lai(=יִשְׂרְאֵלִי) SchrKG 356 ff., 364; COTG 16(Hpt); MI5, + 5 t.ישראל; in EgyptianY-si-r-'lSteindZAW xvi (1896), 331, compare BreastedBib. World ix (1897), 62 ff.PatonSyr. and Pal. 134; AssyrianSir-'-lai(=יִשְׂרְאֵלִי) SchrKG 356 ff., 364; COTG

Possible Meanings:
  • Israel (semantic_range)
H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H3669 כְּנַעַנִי
Definition:

Patrial fromKna'an; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile caravans) -- Canaanite, merchan Patrial fromKna'an; a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing for their neighbors the Ishmaelites, who conducted mercantile caravans) -- Canaanite, merchan

Possible Meanings:
  • trader (semantic_range)
  • merchant (semantic_range)
H5704 עַד
Definition:

20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti 20,24;Psalm 104:23;Psalm 147:6;Job 7:4;Job 20:5, and inעֲדֵי עַדIsaiah 26:4;Isaiah 65:18;Psalm 83:18;Psalm 92:8;Psalm 132:12;Psalm 132:14:compareאֱלֵי,עֲלֵי),prepositionas far as, even to, up to, unti

Possible Meanings:
  • until (semantic_range)
H6886 צֱרְפַת
Definition:

on coast south of Sidon (?smelting-place; on strange form compare LagBN 84; Assyrian‚ariptuDlPa 284COT1Kings 17:9; EgyptianDa-ïra-pu-tiWMMAs.u.Eur.184); —׳צObadiah 20;צָֽרְפָ֫תָה1 Kings 17:9,10 (so Gi on coast south of Sidon (?smelting-place; on strange form compare LagBN 84; Assyrian‚ariptuDlPa 284COT1Kings 17:9; EgyptianDa-ïra-pu-tiWMMAs.u.Eur.184); —׳צObadiah 20;צָֽרְפָ֫תָה1 Kings 17:9,10 (so Gi

H1546 גָּלוּת
Definition:

49t.;גָּלֻתObadiah 20 (twice in verse); suffixגָּלוּתִיIsaiah 45:13,גָּלוּתֵינוּEzekiel 33:21;Ezekiel 40:1(Qames unchangeable); —1absoluteexile,2 Kings 25:27;Jeremiah 52:31;Ezekiel 1:2;Ezekiel 33:21;E 49t.;גָּלֻתObadiah 20 (twice in verse); suffixגָּלוּתִיIsaiah 45:13,גָּלוּתֵינוּEzekiel 33:21;Ezekiel 40:1(Qames unchangeable); —1absoluteexile,2 Kings 25:27;Jeremiah 52:31;Ezekiel 1:2;Ezekiel 33:21;E

H3389 יְרוּשָׁלַם
Definition:

10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1 10+;יְרוּשָׁלָ֑םִ1 Samuel 17:54+;לַ֫יִם-5t. according to Masora (see FrensdorffMass. Magna, 293), namelyJeremiah 26:18;1 Chronicles 3:5; 2Chronicles 25:1; 32:9 (withהlocative),Esther 2:6, (butלָ֑֫םִ-1

Possible Meanings:
  • Jerusalem (semantic_range)
H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H5614 סְפָרָד
Definition:

12NRa 28); SchrCOT on the passage(compare KGF 116 ff.) DlPar 249, compare GASm12Proph. ii. 176, compareŠapardain southwest Media (time of Sargon); aSapardaalso northeast from Nineveh (Esarhaddon's tim 12NRa 28); SchrCOT on the passage(compare KGF 116 ff.) DlPar 249, compare GASm12Proph. ii. 176, compareŠapardain southwest Media (time of Sargon); aSapardaalso northeast from Nineveh (Esarhaddon's tim

H3423 יָרַשׁ
Definition:

1;וְיָרַשׁconsecutiveJeremiah 49:2;Numbers 27:11; 2masculine singularיָרָ֑שְׁתָּ1 Kings 21:19;וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֫Deuteronomy 6:182t.; suffixוִירִשְׁתָּהּconsecutiveDeuteronomy 17:142t. on this and kindred f 1;וְיָרַשׁconsecutiveJeremiah 49:2;Numbers 27:11; 2masculine singularיָרָ֑שְׁתָּ1 Kings 21:19;וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֫Deuteronomy 6:182t.; suffixוִירִשְׁתָּהּconsecutiveDeuteronomy 17:142t. on this and kindred f

Possible Meanings:
  • take possession of (semantic_range)
  • inherit (semantic_range)
  • dispossess (semantic_range)
  • take possession of (semantic_range)
  • have as a possession (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H5892 עִיר
Definition:

Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c

Possible Meanings:
  • wakeful (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • angel (semantic_range)
H5045 נֶגֶב
Definition:

1+; constructJoshua 11:2+;נֶ֫גְבָּהGenesis 13:14+; —1south-country, i.e.a.specificallythe region south of Judah, boundaries not exactly defined(see cities in itJoshua 15:21-32), but with from hills so 1+; constructJoshua 11:2+;נֶ֫גְבָּהGenesis 13:14+; —1south-country, i.e.a.specificallythe region south of Judah, boundaries not exactly defined(see cities in itJoshua 15:21-32), but with from hills so

Possible Meanings:
  • Negeb (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 1 All Chapters