Obadiah 1:20 And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

◄ Obadiah 1:20 ►

New International Version
This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev.

New Living Translation
The exiles of Israel will return to their land and occupy the Phoenician coast as far north as Zarephath. The captives from Jerusalem exiled in the north will return home and resettle the towns of the Negev.

English Standard Version
The exiles of this host of the people of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the Negeb.

Berean Standard Bible
And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And the captives of this host of the children of Israel Shall possess the land of the Canaanites As far as Zarephath. The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Shall possess the cities of the South.

New American Standard Bible
And the exiles of this army of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad, Will possess the cities of the Negev.

NASB 1995
And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will possess the cities of the Negev.

NASB 1977
And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Will possess the cities of the Negev.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the exiles of this military force of the sons of Israel, Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad, Will possess the cities of the Negev.

Amplified Bible
And the exiles of this host of the sons (descendants) of Israel Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath, And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad Shall possess the cities of the Negev.

Christian Standard Bible
The exiles of the Israelites who are in Halah and who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath as well as the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The exiles of the Israelites who are in Halah and who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath as well as the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

American Standard Version
And the captives of this host of the children of Israel, that are among the Canaanites, shall possess even unto Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, that are in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the South.

Contemporary English Version
Those who return from captivity will control Phoenicia as far as Zarephath. Captives from Jerusalem who were taken to Sepharad will capture the towns of the Southern Desert.

English Revised Version
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel, which are among the Canaanites, shall possess even unto Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the South.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Exiles from Israel will take possession of Canaan. They will possess land as far as Zarephath. Exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will take possession of the cities in the Negev.

Good News Translation
The army of exiles from northern Israel will return and conquer Phoenicia as far north as Zarephath. The exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sardis will capture the towns of southern Judah.

International Standard Version
The exiles, the Israeli host, will possess the territory of the Canaanites all the way to Zarephath. The exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

Majority Standard Bible
And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev.

NET Bible
The exiles of this fortress of the people of Israel will take possession of what belongs to the people of Canaan, as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will take possession of the towns of the Negev.

New Heart English Bible
The captives of this army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the Negev.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even to Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

World English Bible
The captives of this army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the Negev.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the expulsion of this force of the sons of Israel, "" That [is with] the Canaanites to Zarephat, "" And the expulsion of Jerusalem that [is] with the Sepharad, "" Possess the cities of the south.

Young's Literal Translation
And the removed of this force of the sons of Israel, That is with the Canaanites unto Zarephat, And the removed of Jerusalem that is with the Sepharad, Possess the cities of the south.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the captivity of this beginning to the sons of Israel, that of the Canaanites even to Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem which is in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the south.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel, all the places of the Chanaanites even to Sarepta: and the captivity of Jerusalem that is in Bospho- rus, shall possess the cities of the south.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the exiles of this army of the sons of Israel, all the places of the Canaanites all the way to Sarepta, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Bosphoro, will possess the cities of the South.

New American Bible
The exiles of this Israelite army will possess the Canaanite land as far as Zarephath, and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negeb.

New Revised Standard Version
The exiles of the Israelites who are in Halah shall possess Phoenicia as far as Zarephath; and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the towns of the Negeb.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
The first exiles, that is, of the children of Israel, shall possess the lands from Canaan as far as Zarepath; and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Spain shall possess the cities of the south.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this first captivity of the children of Israel that is from Canaan, and unto Tsarepta and the captivity of Jerusalem who are in Espania, they shall inherit the cities of the south

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel, That are among the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath, And the captivity of Jerusalem, that is in Sepharad, Shall possess the cities of the South.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And this shall be the domain of the captivity of the children of Israel, the land of the Chananites as far as Sarepta; and the captives of Jerusalem shall inherit as far as Ephratha; they shall inherit the cities of the south.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Deliverance of Israel
…19Those from the Negev will possess the mountains of Esau; those from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead. 20And the exiles of this host of the Israelites will possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath; and the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the cities of the Negev. 21The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion to rule over the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will belong to the LORD.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Jeremiah 31:8-10
Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly! / They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.” / Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.

Ezekiel 39:25-29
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore Jacob from captivity and will have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name. / They will forget their disgrace and all the treachery they committed against Me, when they dwell securely in their land, with no one to frighten them. / When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them out of the lands of their enemies, I will show My holiness in them in the sight of many nations. ...

Amos 9:14-15
I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. / I will firmly plant them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

Zephaniah 3:19-20
Behold, at that time, I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame and gather the scattered; and I will appoint praise and fame for the disgraced throughout the earth. / At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you. For I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your captives before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

Isaiah 11:11-12
On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. / He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Isaiah 49:12
Behold, they will come from far away, from the north and from the west, and from the land of Aswan.”

Isaiah 60:4
Lift up your eyes and look around: They all gather and come to you; your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried on the arm.

Joel 3:1-2
“Yes, in those days and at that time, when I restore Judah and Jerusalem from captivity, / I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.

Zechariah 10:6-10
I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them. / Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their hearts will be glad as with wine. Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD. / I will whistle for them to gather, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they once were. ...

Deuteronomy 30:3-5
then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you. / Even if you have been banished to the farthest horizon, He will gather you and return you from there. / And the LORD your God will bring you into the land your fathers possessed, and you will take possession of it. He will cause you to prosper and multiply more than your fathers.

Romans 11:25-27
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. / And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. / And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”

Luke 21:24
They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Acts 15:16-17
‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, / so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things

Matthew 24:31
And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Revelation 7:4-9
And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel: / From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, / from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, ...

Treasury of Scripture

And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even to Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south.

the captivity of this.

Jeremiah 3:18
In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

Jeremiah 33:26
Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

Ezekiel 34:12,13
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day…

Zarephath.

1 Kings 17:9,10
Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee…

Luke 4:26
But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

Sarepta.

Jeremiah 13:19
The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

Jeremiah 32:44
Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:13
In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the vale, and in the cities of the south, and in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shall the flocks pass again under the hands of him that telleth them, saith the LORD.

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Obadiah 1

1. The destruction of Edom,
3. for their pride,
10. and for their wrong unto Jacob.
17. The salvation and victory of Jacob.

Berean Study Bible

And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel
This phrase refers to the Israelites who were taken captive and scattered among the nations. The term "exiles" in Hebrew is "גָּלוּת" (galut), which signifies those who have been forcibly removed from their homeland. Historically, the Israelites faced numerous exiles, notably the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. This phrase emphasizes God's promise of restoration and hope for those who have been displaced. The "sons of Israel" underscores the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people, reminding us of His faithfulness despite their disobedience.

who are among the Canaanites
The Canaanites were the original inhabitants of the land promised to Abraham and his descendants. This phrase indicates that some of the exiles were living among these ancient peoples. The presence of Israelites among the Canaanites serves as a reminder of the consequences of Israel's failure to fully obey God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Yet, it also highlights God's sovereignty in using even their disobedience to fulfill His purposes.

as far as Zarephath
Zarephath was a town located in the region of Sidon, in present-day Lebanon. It is significant in biblical history as the place where Elijah was sent during a famine and where he performed miracles (1 Kings 17:9-24). Mentioning Zarephath here extends the geographical scope of the exiles, indicating that God's plan for restoration is not limited by distance. It also serves as a reminder of God's provision and miraculous intervention in times of need.

and the exiles of Jerusalem
This phrase specifically refers to those who were taken from Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Israel. Jerusalem holds a special place in biblical history as the city of David and the location of the Temple. The mention of Jerusalem's exiles underscores the depth of loss experienced by the Israelites, yet it also points to the promise of return and restoration. It is a testament to God's enduring commitment to His people and His city.

who are in Sepharad
Sepharad is a location mentioned only here in the Bible, and its exact identification remains uncertain. Some scholars suggest it may refer to a region in Asia Minor or Spain. The mention of Sepharad indicates the widespread dispersion of the Jewish people, yet it also highlights the inclusivity of God's promise to gather His people from the farthest corners of the earth. It serves as a reminder of the global scope of God's redemptive plan.

will possess the cities of the Negev
The Negev is a desert region in southern Israel. The promise that the exiles will "possess the cities of the Negev" signifies a future restoration and expansion of territory. In biblical times, possessing land was a sign of God's blessing and favor. This phrase assures the exiles that despite their current displacement, God will restore them to their land and even expand their borders. It is a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to bring about His purposes despite human failure.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. - And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; Septuagint, Καὶ τῆς μετοικεσίας ἡ ἀρχὴ αὔτη τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραὴλ γῆ τῶν Ξαναναίων ἕως Σαρεπτῶν, "And this shall be the beginning of the captivity of the children of Israel, the land of the Canaanites as far as Sarepta." This would imply that the Ephraimitas should be the first to go into exile, and on their return should occupy the territory of the Canaanites on the north. But ἀρχὴ may mean "domain." Vulgate, Et transmigratio exercitus hujus filiorum Israel, omnia loca Chananaeorum usque ad Sareptam. The general meaning is that Jewish captives, who have been taken to other lands, shall return and possess the cities of the south. The sentence in the Hebrew is incomplete. Our translators supply, "shall possess." Pusey (in agreement with the Chaldee, and virtually with the Septuagint) renders, "which are among the Canaanites;" and this seems to be correct, making "shall possess the cities of the south" the predicate of both clauses. So the first portion of the verse means, as Henderson says, the number of Israelitish captives which were found in Phoenicia, into which they had been sold at different times as slaves (comp. vers. 11, 14; Joel 3:6, 7). This host. Not a general deportation, but only the portion of the people referred to. From this expression some have inferred that Obadiah himself was one of this body. This is possible, but not necessary. The captives who are among the Canaanites, even unto Zarephath; as far as Zarephath, were probably placed there for safe keeping before being sold into Greece and other countries. Zarepbath ("Melting house"), the Sarepta of St. Luke (Luke 4:26), now Surafend or Sarafend, and celebrated in the history of Elijah (1 Kings 17:9, etc.), lay between Tyre and Sidon, a little inland, and was a town of some importance, as its ruins prove. The captivity of Jerusalem. The captives from Jerusalem. Which is in Sepharad; Septuagint, ἕως Ἐφραθά "as far as Ephrathah;" Vulgate, quae in Bosphoro est. The name occurs nowhere else in the Bible, and its identification cannot be established. Jerome suggests, in his commentary, that it is the Assyrian for "boundary," and not a proper name at all. The Peshito and the rabbins And modern Jews interpret it as "Spain." Keil supposes it to be "Sparta;" Pusey, "Sardis." For this last explanation some ground has been found in an inscription of Nakshi-Rustam, where a place called Cparda occurs in a list of tribes between Cappadocia and Ionia; and Cparda is considered to be the Persian form of Sardis (see Schrader, 'Keilinschr.,' p. 445, etc.). A further confirmation of this identification is found in the complaint of Joel (Joel 3:6 [4:6, Hebrew], that the Phoenicians had sold Israelites "unto the sons of the Grecians." Professor Sayce, in a note to G. Smith's 'History of Babylonia,' p. 156, places "Saparda" on the Black Sea. It may be questioned, however, whether some town nearer Judaea is not intended. Ewald would read "Sepharam," a town in North Palestine. The two bodies of captives shall possess the cities of the south. The Negeb. The cities are named in Joshua 19.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And the exiles
וְגָלֻ֣ת (wə·ḡā·luṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1546: Captivity, exiles

of this
הַ֠זֶּה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

host
הַֽחֵל־ (ha·ḥêl-)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2426: An army, an intrenchment

of the Israelites
לִבְנֵ֨י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

[will possess the land] of the Canaanites
כְּנַעֲנִים֙ (kə·na·‘ă·nîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan

as
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

far as Zarephath;
צָ֣רְפַ֔ת (ṣā·rə·p̄aṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6886: Zarephath -- 'smelting place', a city South of Sidon

and the exiles
וְגָלֻ֥ת (wə·ḡā·luṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1546: Captivity, exiles

from Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

who
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

are in Sepharad
בִּסְפָרַ֑ד (bis·p̄ā·raḏ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5614: Sepharad -- the location of some exiles

will possess
יִֽרְשׁ֕וּ (yir·šū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin

the cities
עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of the Negev.
הַנֶּֽגֶב׃ (han·ne·ḡeḇ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5045: South country, the Negeb, south

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OT Prophets: Obadiah 1:20 The captives of this army (Obad. Oba. Ob)