Obadiah 1:7

Thy confederacy. The phrase reads literally, “all the men of thy covenant,” that is, those allied to Edom.

To the border. Several interpretations of this phrase are possible: (1) The Edomites themselves were dispossessed and driven to their borders. (2) Edomite ambassadors, appealing to the allies for aid, were conducted to the borders with their requests unanswered. (3) The allies forsook the Edomites at their borders and abandoned them to their enemies. (4) Edomite refugees were refused shelter and sent back to their borders.

Men that were at peace. This phrase appears to be parallel with “men of thy confederacy.”

Wound. Heb. mazor, the meaning of which is uncertain. The word, perhaps from a different root, is found in Jer. 30:12 and Hosea 5:13 with the meaning “boil,” or “ulcer.” But in Obadiah 7 such a meaning gives no sense. The LXX has enedra, “an ambush.” The translation “trap” (RSV) is evidently based on the LXX.

None understanding. Or, as we would say today, “no understanding.”

In him. The LXX reads, “among them.” The reference may be to the perplexity and bewilderment that would come upon the Edomites when deceived by their trusted allies.