Obadiah / Question
Obadiah broadens the message beyond Edom by saying “the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations” (Obadiah 1:15). In that day, he says, “as you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head” (Obadiah 1:15).
Obadiah 1:15–16 widens the focus from Edom to “all the nations.” The prophet announces that Yahweh’s “day” is near and that it will operate by a matching principle: what nations have done will come back on them. The passage then pictures the nations “drinking” in a way that leads to their undoing, reversing what happened on Yahweh’s holy mountain. These verses conclude the book’s main message. Earlier, Obadiah accused Edom of violence and opportunism when Jerusalem was devastated, especially standing aloof, gloating, and joining in the plunder (Obadiah 1:10–14).
Obadiah 1:15–16 presents “the day of Yahweh” as imminent (“near”) and aimed not only at Edom but at all nations.
A common mistake is to turn the wording into a slogan. The better reading keeps the phrase tied to the passage, the speaker, and the problem the book is addressing.
Start with Obadiah 1:15, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
15For the day of Yahweh is near all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head.