Obadiah / Question
The statement appears in the section about the day of the LORD: “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head” (Obadiah 1:15). It is presented as the measure of judgment “upon all the nations” (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 treat this as trivia. Names, places, numbers, and sequence details often carry memory, covenant identity, or narrative movement in the biblical story.
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.