Definition: And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be [any] remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Obadiah 1:18. It's a pretty dramatic and intense warning about the future. Here’s a simplified explanation: Essentially, it means: “The people of Israel will be consumed by God’s wrath.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “The house of Jacob” : This refers to the Israelites – the group of people who followed Moses and were originally part of the Jewish people. “The house of Joseph” : This refers to the descendants of Joseph, who were often considered to be the second-to-last generation of Israelite people. It’s a significant point because Joseph was a very important figure in the Bible. “The house of Esau” : This is the group of people who were the last of the original Israelites. They were considered to be the “wilders,” those who strayed from God's path. “They shall kindle in them, and devour them…” : This is the core of the warning. The verse describes a catastrophic event where these groups – the Israelites, Joseph's descendants, and Esau’s descendants – will be brought to their breaking point. They will be consumed . “Devour” means they will be completely wiped out or destroyed. “There shall not be [any] remaining of the house of Esau…” : This is a crucial part. It signifies that the entire group of people who were considered to be the "wilders" – those who rejected God and followed their own desires – will be utterly annihilated. They won't survive. “For the LORD hath spoken [it]” : This reinforces the seriousness of the message. It’s a direct statement from God, emphasizing that this is not just a prediction; it’s a guarantee. Overall Meaning & Context: Obadiah 1:18 is a very forceful message about impending judgment and destruction. It's often interpreted as a prophecy of Israel's ultimate downfall. The verse speaks to a time when God will punish those who have rejected Him and are pursuing their own selfish ambitions. The image of fire and flame suggests intense, destructive forces at work. Important Note: This is a complex and often debated passage. Different interpretations exist within biblical studies. However, the core message – that judgment is coming to those who oppose God – remains consistent. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail (e.g., its symbolism)? Provide a bit more historical context about Obadiah 1? Discuss the meaning of the image of fire and flame?