Obadiah (Prophet)

Biblical Record

The prophet Obadiah appears only in the superscription at the opening of the Old Testament Book of Obadiah, in Obadiah 1:1: "The vision of Obadiah." Here "vision" refers to revelation that God showed to the prophet. His name is generally interpreted in Hebrew as "servant of the LORD" or "one who serves the LORD." Scripture records nothing about his origin, family, period of ministry, or life. Several people in the Old Testament bear the same name. Among them is Obadiah, the governor of King Ahab's house in the time of Elijah (1 Kings 18), who is distinguished from the prophet.

The Book of Obadiah, a single chapter of twenty-one verses, is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Its content falls into two main parts.

• Judgment on Edom: The prophet rebukes Edom, the descendants of Esau, for its pride in dwelling in the clefts of the rock, on high places (Obadiah 1:3-4). He also charges Edom with standing aloof, rejoicing, and joining in the plunder when the descendants of its brother Jacob suffered calamity (Obadiah 1:10-14).
• The Day of the LORD and the Restoration of Zion: The prophet declares that the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations and that each will be repaid according to what it has done (Obadiah 1:15). He then foretells that there shall be deliverance upon Mount Zion, that the house of Jacob shall possess its inheritance, and that in the end the kingdom shall be the LORD's (Obadiah 1:17-21).

Significance Within Scripture

The Book of Obadiah is set against the long-standing conflict between the kindred nations of Edom and Israel, a conflict that originates in the Genesis account of Esau and Jacob. The wording of Obadiah 1:1-9 closely resembles the prophecy against Edom in Jeremiah 49:7-22, and the relationship between the two passages has long been a subject of study. The New Testament does not mention Obadiah by name, and no passage directly quoting his book has been identified.

Interpretation and Debate

• Date: Because the text contains no date, scholarly opinions differ. Many scholars see the background as the Babylonian capture of Jerusalem in 586 BC (see Babylonian exile) and Edom's conduct at that time. Some connect it instead with an earlier event, the invasion of Jerusalem by the Philistines and Arabians during the reign of King Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:16-17).
• Extrabiblical Traditions: Jewish rabbinic tradition includes accounts that identify the prophet with Obadiah, the governor of Ahab's house, or that regard him as a convert of Edomite origin. These traditions are not found in the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

Because of its brevity, the Book of Obadiah is treated in Bible read-through programs as a book that can be read in a single sitting. Preachers frequently cite the words "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee" (Obadiah 1:3) as a warning against pride. The passage cautioning against looking on indifferently at a brother's suffering (Obadiah 1:12) is also often addressed in sermons. In the songs listing the books of the Bible that are sung in Sunday schools, Obadiah appears as one of the Minor Prophets.