86 Heb “the Negev”; “the South”; , “southern Judah.” The Hebrew text does not have the words “the people of,” but these words have been supplied in the translation for clarity. The place name “the Negev” functions as a synecdoche (container for contents) for the people living in the Negev. The Negev is a dry, hot, arid region in the southern portion of Judah.
87 The verb יָרַשׁ (yarash, “to take possession of [something]”) which is repeated three times in vv. 19–20 for emphasis, often implies a violent means of acquisition, such as through military conquest. Obadiah here pictures a dramatic reversal: Judah’s enemies, who conquered them then looted all her valuable possessions, will soon be conquered by the Judeans who will in turn take possession of their valuables. The punishment will fit the crime.
88 The Hebrew text does not have the words “the people of,” but they are supplied in the translation since “the Shephelah” functions as a synecdoche referring to residents of this region. The Shephelah as a region refers to the Palestinian foothills that rise from the coastal plain. In much of Old Testament times they served as a divide between the people of Judah and the Philistines.
89 The phrase “will take possession” does not appear in this clause, but is implied from its previous use in this verse. It is supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.
90 The words “the land of” are not present in the Hebrew text. They are supplied in the translation for clarity.
91 The phrase “will take possession” does not appear in this clause, but is implied from its previous use in this verse. It is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
92 Gilead is a mountainous region on the eastern side of the Jordan River in what is today the country of Jordan.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau,

and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines;

they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria,

and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

People from the Negev will occupy

the mountains of Esau,

and people from the foothills will possess

the land of the Philistines.

They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria,

and Benjamin will possess Gilead.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

People from the Negev will possess

the hill country of Esau;

those from the Judean foothills will possess

the land of the Philistines.

They will possess

the territories of Ephraim and Samaria,

while Benjamin will possess Gilead.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Then my people living in the Negev

will occupy the mountains of Edom.

Those living in the foothills of Judah

will possess the Philistine plains

and take over the fields of Ephraim and Samaria.

And the people of Benjamin

will occupy the land of Gilead.

Those of the Negev will take possession of the mountain of Esau, and those of the Shephelah will possess the land of the Philistines, and they shall take possession of the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria, and Benjamin will take possession of Gilead.

KJV 1900King James Version

And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau;

And they of the plain the Philistines:

And they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria:

And Benjamin shall possess Gilead.

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Obadiah 19

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