25 The translation of this verse is generally based on the parallels in Obad 5. There the second line has a ה interrogative in front of it. The question can still be assumed because questions can be asked in Hebrew without a formal marker (cf. §150.a and 519 לֹא 1.a[e] and compare usage in 2 Kgs 5:26).
26 The tense and nuance of the verb translated “pillage” are both different than the verb in Obad 5. There the verb is the imperfect of גָּנַב (ganav, “to steal”). Here the verb is the perfect of a verb which means to “ruin” or “spoil.” The English versions and commentaries, however, almost all render the verb here in much the same way as in Obad 5. The nuance must mean they only “ruin, destroy” (by stealing) only as much as they need (Heb “their sufficiency”), and the verb is used as metonymical substitute, effect for cause. The perfect must be some kind of a future perfect; “would they not have destroyed only …” The negative question is carried over by ellipsis from the preceding lines.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

If grape gatherers came to you,

would they not leave gleanings?

If thieves came by night,

would they not destroy only enough for themselves?

But I have stripped Esau bare;

I have uncovered his hiding places,

and he is not able to conceal himself.

His children are destroyed, and his brothers,

and his neighbors; and he is no more.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

If grape pickers came to you,

would they not leave a few grapes?

If thieves came during the night,

would they not steal only as much as they wanted?

But I will strip Esau bare;

I will uncover his hiding places,

so that he cannot conceal himself.

His armed men are destroyed,

also his allies and neighbors,

so there is no one to say,

CSBChristian Standard Bible

If grape harvesters came to you,

wouldn’t they leave a few grapes?

Were thieves to come in the night,

they would destroy only what they wanted.

But I will strip Esau bare;

I will uncover his secret places.

He will try to hide, but he will be unable.

His descendants will be destroyed

along with his relatives and neighbors.

He will exist no longer.

NLTNew Living Translation

Those who harvest grapes

always leave a few for the poor.

If thieves came at night,

they would not take everything.

But I will strip bare the land of Edom,

and there will be no place left to hide.

Its children, its brothers, and its neighbors

will all be destroyed,

and Edom itself will be no more.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

If grape-gatherers come to you,

would they not leave gleanings?

If thieves in the night,

they destroy only enough for them.

But I have stripped Esau bare.

I have uncovered his hiding places,

and he is not able to hide himself.

His offspring are devastated, along with his brothers,

and his neighbors, and he is no more.

KJV 1900King James Version

If grapegatherers come to thee, would they not leave some gleaning grapes?

If thieves by night, they will destroy till they have enough.

But I have made Esau bare,

I have uncovered his secret places,

And he shall not be able to hide himself:

His seed is spoiled, and his brethren, and his neighbours, and he is not.

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