Edom's violence against Israel and Judah stands as a grievous mark against their character, fueling the somber prophecy of Obadiah. In 586 BC, the Edomites allied with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces, taking part in Judah's defeat and committing atrocities against the defenseless, including babies and youngsters. This deep-seated hatred, rooted in Esau's wounded pride and feelings of superiority over his brother, became a defining trait of Edomite identity. Historical records within the prophecy show a consistent pattern of violence and cruelty toward God's chosen people, a crime that provokes His severe judgment. God declares through Obadiah that Edom shall be cut off forever for these heinous acts, a punishment reflecting the gravity of their perpetual hatred and brutality against Israel and Judah. Their actions, including shedding innocent blood in the land as noted by earlier prophets, ensure that Edom will face desolation and annihilation as a direct consequence of their violence.

Edom's violence against Israel stands as a grave sin, as declared in Obadiah 10, where it is named as violence against their brother Jacob. This transgression is detailed through various illustrations in the subsequent verses, showcasing the Edomites' hostility. On the day of Israel's distress, calamity, captivity, and destruction, the Edomites gloated over their misfortune, an act that will recur most egregiously in the time of the end. God warns in Obadiah 12-14 against such behavior, directing His admonitions to the Edomites alive during that forthcoming day of intense hardship for Israel. Though their power may be limited, lacking significant control over the nations of Israel, the Edomites still possess the ability to mock, pillage, and exploit any weakness they perceive. God proclaims in Obadiah 6-9 that He will strip them of their wealth, wisdom, and courage, yet they will persist in gloating when they witness Israel's fall. As a consequence, in the Day of the Lord, which follows the time of great tribulation, God decrees in Obadiah 15 that as they have done, so it shall be done to them, ensuring that their reprisal returns upon their own head. He further states in Obadiah 16 that just as they drank in celebration on His holy mountain, they shall drink continually of His wrath until they are as though they had never been, facing utter destruction for their actions against Israel.

Esau, the elder son of Isaac, received a prophecy that was more a curse than a blessing, foretelling that his descendants, the Edomites, would dwell in barren lands, live in conflict, and serve Jacob's offspring, with only occasional rebellion. This fueled Esau's intense hatred for Jacob, leading him to move away to the land of Seir, the country of Edom, southeast of Canaan, between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. Over time, Esau built a considerable following, including many Horites, relatives of his wife Aholibamah, who were the original inhabitants of Seir. Later, the descendants of Esau dispossessed and destroyed the Horites, taking their place in Seir, and thus became identified as both Edom and Seir. In the book of Obadiah, a prophecy against Edom reveals their role in a confederacy against Israel, particularly at the end time. God Himself declares His purpose to bring about Edom's downfall, using nations as agents to fulfill His decree. The root of Edom's problem is pride, stemming from their belief in their invincibility due to their impregnable, rocky territory. This pride, likened to boiling anger, echoes Esau's own haughtiness, a trait passed down to his descendants. God challenges this arrogance, decreeing that no matter how high Edom considers herself, He will bring her down.

The sibling rivalry between Esau and Jacob, twin brothers with opposing natures, has had profound consequences, shaping the contentious relationship between their descendants, Edom and Israel, for generations. Esau, driven by immediate desires, failed to value his birthright, losing it to Jacob, who later also deceitfully secured their father's blessing. This blessing, meant for Esau, instead cursed him to a life of struggle in a harsh land, living by the sword and occasionally breaking free from his brother's dominance. Esau's hatred for Jacob, born from these deceptions, fueled a deep animosity that persisted through their lineages, resulting in Edom's perpetual enmity toward Israel. Through the prophecies in the book of Obadiah, God reveals the grave consequences of Edom's actions against Israel. Edom's violence and hatred, manifested in gloating over Israel's calamities, pillaging, and exploiting their weaknesses, are condemned as a direct affront to God's will. God takes extreme offense at Edom's actions, for Israel is the apple of His eye, and Edom's persistent war against Jacob is seen as a war against God Himself. Obadiah laments the tragic fate awaiting Edom, expressing grief over their impending destruction, yet the prophecy is clear: God has decreed their annihilation for these heinous acts. Edom will be completely ransacked, losing all wealth, wisdom, and might, betrayed by allies and blinded to their treachery, ultimately facing a slaughter with no survivors of the house of Esau remaining, as God's sovereign purpose prevails.

Edom, as the descendants of Esau, holds a primary place among Israel's ancient enemies, as highlighted in Psalm 83:5-8. From the time of Esau, a deep-seated hatred for Israel has been fostered among the Edomites. God declares through the prophet Amos that Edom's punishment will not be turned away due to their relentless pursuit of their brother with the sword, casting off all pity, with anger tearing perpetually and wrath kept forever (Amos 1:11). If any people were to form and lead a confederacy against the Israelites, it would be Edom. Genesis 36 details Esau's maturation, marriages, and alliances with surrounding peoples, emphasizing the significance of the Edomites with an entire chapter dedicated to their lineage and rulers. Additionally, tribes like Amalek and Gebal, distinguished from the main body of Edomites, emerged as persistent adversaries, with Amalek notably acting as a thorn in Israel's side through acts of trickery and terrorism. These historical accounts reveal a pattern of hostility that appears to be a hereditary trait among the Edomites and their offshoots, indicating their readiness to use any means to bring Israel down in any confederacy formed against her.