| |
The STUDIA UNIVERSITATIS BABEŞ-BOLYAI issue article summary
The summary of the selected article appears at the bottom of the page. In order to get back to the contents of the issue this article belongs to you have to access the link from the title. In order to see all the articles of the archive which have as author/co-author one of the authors mentioned below, you have to access the link from the author's name. |
|
| |
Abstract:
Relationship between Juda and Edom in the Book of Obadiah. The connection between Judah and Edom can be traced back into the times of the patriarchs. Esau is considered to be the progenitor of the Edomites and his twin brother Jacob is the patriarch of the Israelites. The two brothers were always in conflict since Esau exchanged his birthright for a bowl of stew and Jacob obtained by deception the fatherly blessing that was inherently due to the firstborn, Esau. Esau not only loses everything but also becomes bitter towards his brother Jacob who has to escape the vengeance of Esau. When they meet again it seems that Esau did forgive Jacob, but the lack of trust separates their ways, instead of going to Mount Seir, Jacob chose to take the direction toward Succoth. Later when the descendants of Jacob and Esau encounter each other as Israelites and Edomites the old tensions flare up again.What are the reasons behind this lasting conflict? In the Jewish prophetic literature the condemnation of Edom is evident. It is obvious that from Israel’s perspective Edom has to have no future. “But I have stripped Esau bare, I have uncovered his hiding places. So that he will not be able to conceal himself; His offspring has been destroyed along with his relatives, and his neighbours, and he is no more.” – thunders Jeremiah. Obadiah also resembles the voice of Jeremiah when proclaims: No descendant of Esau will survive. I, The Lord, have spoken. This essay endeavours to explore the roots of the animosity toward Esau and the Edomites. How Obadiah interpreted this in an era when God’s chosen people seemingly lost everything: the temple, the Promised Land and its freedom? Who was Obadiah, and what were the sources of his prophecy? What was the religion of the Edomites, and what do we know about Edom as a nation? And lastly was there any glimmer of hope in Obadiah’s view for Edom or it was condemned to permanent oblivion? These are the questions I will try to explore in this brief essay.
Keywords: brotherhood, judgement, Day of Jahweh, forgiveness, God’s promise.
|
|
