Obadiah

Obadiah
Abbreviation	Ob
Class.	Old Testament
Category	Minor Prophets
Chapters	1 Chapter
Record Related
Writer	Obadiah
Date (Approx.)	c. 580 BC

The book of Obadiah is the thirty-first book of the Old Testament and the shortest of all the prophetic writings in the Hebrew Bible. It delivers a prophetic message concerning the judgment of Edom, which had allied with Babylon (the Neo-Babylonian Empire) in its attack on Judah. The book also foretells the future restoration of the nation of Judah.

Obadiah the Writer

The writer, Obadiah, is generally understood to have been a prophet from the Southern Kingdom of Judah. His name means “servant of the LORD” or “worshiper of the LORD.” Although he pronounced judgment against Edom, the book provides no biographical details about him, such as his place of origin or family background.

The Bible mentions thirteen individuals named Obadiah, including Obadiah the prophet and an official who served in the court of King Ahab.

Date

The exact date of Obadiah’s composition is uncertain, but many scholars suggest that it was written shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The book’s references to exile and restoration closely align with the historical context of the Babylonian captivity. Although the books of Kings and Chronicles record Edom’s betrayal, they do not describe a direct Edomite invasion of Judah. This supports the view that Obadiah’s prophecy was delivered during the exilic period, after the monarchy had come to an end.

The Edomites

The Edomites, the recipients of Obadiah’s prophetic message, were descendants of Esau, one of Isaac’s sons, and therefore shared a familial bond with the Israelites, who descended from Jacob. They settled in the mountainous region of Seir, south of the Dead Sea, and eventually developed into a powerful nation. During Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan, Edom refused them passage through its territory. Throughout history, Edom repeatedly betrayed and opposed Israel. When Babylon attacked Judah, Edom even took the lead in the invasion. In the end, Edom itself became a vassal state of Babylon. Later, it was subjugated by Judah in the second century BC. and was ultimately destroyed by the Roman Empire.

Composition of Obadiah

Chapter	Verses	Content
Chapter 1	1-16	The Sins of Edom and Divine Judgment
	17-21	Israel’s Restoration and Future Blessing

Obadiah proclaims God’s judgment upon Edom for its pride and false sense of security. Rather than coming to the aid of its brother nation Judah in a time of crisis, Edom aligned itself with foreign invaders and took part in the looting of Jerusalem. As a result, God declares that Edom will be repaid according to its deeds and brought to ruin. In contrast, Judah is promised restoration and will one day return to its land to live under God’s sovereign reign.