Obadiah, the shortest book in the old testament, is the pronouncement of doom against an ancient and longforgotten nation, the land of edom. The translated bible text has been through advanced checking. Dating the book of obadiah accurately is nearly impossible due to the scant historical information contained in the book. The prophet reveals nothing about himself except his name in the book that he composed in 607 b. In hebrew the book is titled hydbu meaning servant of yahweh. The oracle structure for the book of obadiah is set up as a lawsuit.
Written by obadiah concerning whom nothing but the name is known, this book contains a proclamation of jehovahs judgment against edom, presents the reason for that judgment, and points forward to restoration for the house of jacob. God will judge all those who are against his children chosen people jews the prophet obadiah warned the proud people of edom about the impending judgment coming upon them. The book was probably written in the first half of the babylonian exile, after 586 b. Book of obadiah bible survey what are the major prophets and minor prophets. Video series bible book introduction videos english bible book. Apr 26, 2017 the smallest book in the old testament may also be one of the least known prophecies. An exposition of the scriptures by dallas seminary faculty. Obadiah 1, new international version niv the bible app. Then saviors shall come to mount zion to judge the mountains of esau, and the kingdom shall be the lords nkjv. According to the talmud, obadiah is said to have been a convert to judaism from edom, a descendant of eliphaz, the friend of job.
Obadiah summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of obadiah for bible study or sunday school lessons. The authors name is obadiah, which means servant or worshiper of the lord. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. Exegesis of the book of obadiah christian truth is.
Highlights from the books of obadiah, jonah, and micah the vision of obadiah. Obadiah was used by jehovah to prophecy the destruction of the ancient nation of edom a prophecy that was fulfilled, as edom no longer exists. From the historical references in the book, we can locate obadiah s ministry in judah during the reign of jehoram 848841 b. This is what the sovereign lord says about edom we have heard a message from the lord. The bible does not reveal anything regarding the prophet obadiah. New american commentary amos, obadiah, jonah wordsearch bible. The prophecy offers hope and promises the vindication of jehovah gods. The book of obadiah is an oracle concerning the divine judgment of edom and the restoration of israel. Obadiah echoes and amplifies amoss prophecy of judgment against gods enemies on the day of the lord and victory for gods people. Yet it tells the prophet obadiahs mission to carry gods message that the kingdom of edom shall be ultimately destroyed for its sins. The book of obadiah is a favorite study of modern jews. Nothing is known of the author, although his prophecy against edom, a neighbor and rival of israel, indicates a date of composition sometime after the babylonian destruction of jerusalem in 587 b.
Book of obadiah encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Thats because, although obadiah is an easy read only 21 verses long, it is in the running for the most forgotten book in our bibles. The book of the prophet obadiah is the shortest book of the ot with 21 verses only. The book of obadiah contains a short message about the country called edom. The smallest old testament account, the book of obadiah is a vision written by the lords prophet known as obadiah, who prophesied against israels relative nation edom. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. Obadiah is not only the shortest prophecy, but also the shortest book of the old testament. In its introduction to the book of obadiah, the oxford annotated bible suggests. The book of obadiah was likely written between 848 and 840 b. Obadiah was a contemporary of jeremiah, daniel and ezekiel. This is the central message of the bible so clearly presented in the little book penned by an ancient prophet named obadiah. These words begin the bible book of obadiahthe prophet reveals nothing about himself except his name in the book that he composed in 607 b. While several options have been proposed by scholars, the best argument places obadiah in the 840s bc, making him the earliest writing prophet, a few years prior to joel, and a contemporary of elisha.
The purpose of obadiah is to show that god will judge all those who are. Obadiah was a common ot name, meaning worshiper of yahweh. There are obadiahs in the old testament, and one of these may the obadiah who wrote this book. Obadiah, the shortest book in the old testament, is only 21 verses long. Some have even thought it to be dry and even boring.
An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of obadiah. Point of note this is one of the 7 old testament books that are not quoted in the nt. Book of obadiah, the destruction of edom, judahs misfortune. Obadiah is the shortest book in the old testament, only 21 verses long. Highlights from the book of daniel page 2 index an introduction to the book of obadiah obadiah was a prophet of jehovah. He is identified with the obadiah who was the servant of ahab, and it is said that he was chosen to prophesy against edom because he was himself an edomite. Edoms pride and downfall is disclosed in the book of. This summary of the book of obadiah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of obadiah.
Verse 21 of the book of obadiah contains a foreshadowing of christ and his church. What are the most commonly asked questions about the book of obadiah. Obadiah famous and inspirational quotes from the bible on love faith and encouragement quotes from bible. The smallest book in the old testament may also be one of the least known prophecies. Watch our overview video on the book of obadiah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. They believe jeremiah 49 was composed following the battle of carchemish in 605 b. Edom is indicted because of his violence against his brother jacob. The bible is easily the most fascinating book in the world. Highlights from the books of obadiah, jonah, and micah.
The book is attributed to a prophet named obadiah, but we have no biographical information about him. Home faq books of the bible obadiah questions about obadiah. Your credit card wont be charged until the trial period is over. The people from edom were relatives of the people from israel. We have heard a rumour from the lord, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. You may, like me, have trouble separating the pages between amos and jonah just to get to it. Lost somewhere in the dark corner of your bible is a brief, but largely unfamiliar book called obadiah. The short book of obadiah the shortest in the ot is an oracle against the nation of edom. The shortest book in the old testament and among all the writing prophets, obadiah provides an overview of the message presented in each of the writing prophets. Gods judgment on the unbelieving gentiles who opposed god.
The scriptures have that beautiful faculty of appearing to be one thing on the surface, but on a deeper level, yielding rich and mighty treasures. The exhortation is to seek life and await a messianic restoration. The book of obadiah records a prophetic vision given by the lord to a man named obadiah. The prophecy offers hope and promises the vindication of jehovah gods kingship. The book of obadiah is the shortest book in the hebrew scriptures. Thus says the lord god concerning edom we have heard a report from the lord, and an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, arise and let us go against her for battle. Viewing the 1611 king james version of obadiah obadiah chapter 1, also known as. Highlights from the books of obadiah, jonah, and micah print. The only thing known about this prophet is his name.
Book of obadiah overview insight for living ministries. But that is surely because they have not spent much time with it. Because of this they will suffer gods wrath at the day of the lord that comes on all nations. The only time markers we have in the book are the attack against jerusalem obadiah 1.
Obadiah verse 1 identifies the author of the book of obadiah as the prophet obadiah. And no survivor shall remain of the house of esau 18. All 66 books of the bible in easy, onesentence summaries. We use the gospel project curriculum which i highly recommend because it doesnt skip over the hard parts of scripture. An envoy was sent to the nations to say, rise, let us go against her for battle. Obadiah means servant of the lord or one who serves shortest book in the old testament. An envoy was sent to the nations to say,rise, let us go. Charles savelle center point bible institute 1 the book of obadiah message. This book, the shortest among the twelve minor prophets, is a single twentyoneverse oracle against edom. More than ten persons of the ot bear the same name but none of them is identical with the prophet. Obadiah means servant of the lord and occurs 20 times in the old testament, referring to many other old testament individuals.
The quick view bible big ideas in obadiah obadiah at a glance. This may have been a popular name as with ahabs steward who met elijah cf. May 07, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of obadiah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of obadiah is based on a prophetic vision concerning the fall of edom, a mountain dwelling nation v.
Obadiah is a prophet of god who uses this opportunity to condemn edom for sins against both god and israel. Freeman, an introduction to the old testament prophets, 14041. A summary, synopsis or recap is a shortened version of the original. The book of obadiah is a book of prophetic oracles. Its authorship is difficult to date but was possibly written about 853841 b. Edom and its people edomites are the descendants of esau. The edomites are accused of cruelty and supporting israels enemies. This is what the sovereign lord says about edomwe have heard a message from the lord. View smaller size scan of original obadiah chapter 1, view textonly version of obadiah chapter 1, or click to switch to the standard king james version of obadiah chapter 1. In greek the book is titled obdiou, a transliteration of the hebrew name and title. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them.
Obadiah is the thirtyfirst book of the bible, the fourth book of the socalled minor or shorter prophets, the group of twelve prophetic books that close the old testament. Obadiah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of obadiah is the shortest book in the old testament and can be read in just a few moments. The book of obadiah is the shortest book in the old testament of the bible, with only 21 verses. The next step is to enter your payment information. The text consists of a single chapter, divided into 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the hebrew bible. I taught the book to our elementary school aged childrens church class. The minor prophets obadiah gods message to edom youtube.
Its also the least read book of all the books in the bible. Book of obadiah, the fourth of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, in the jewish canon treated as one book, the twelve. To understand this future judgment on the edomites we. Therefore, while twelve other men named obadiah appear in scripture, old testament scholars cannot identify with certainty any of them as the author of this. In it they read the future of their own people and of christendom.
If the book is dated in the reign of jehoram, the author may be the obadiah of 2 chronicles 17. The prophecy is largely concerned with the condemnation of edom descendants of esau for treachery toward their brother israel descendants of jacob and the resultant punishment. Obadiah was sent to declare gods judgment on edomthe descendants of esau. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy.
The hebrew name obadiah means worshipper of yahweh or servant of yahweh. Obadiah announces edoms downfall to babylon, which is an image of how god will bring down all arrogant and violent nations. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for jerusalem, you were like one of them 1114. The shortest prophetic book of the hebrew scriptures. Discover the most popular bible verses from obadiah.
Obadiah prophesies edoms judgment june 3, 2014 by kelly henderson the following lesson was prepared for a small group of students ages 511 on the day it was taught a 3 year old and 5 year old visited our class. Amos portrays the lord as a lion roaring against pride, greed, social injustice, violence, and empty religion. As the shortest book in the old testament 21 verses in a single chapter, its purpose is to condemn them in supporting the gentiles against judah. This fact makes it difficult to date the time of writing. Intro to obadiah biblica the international bible society. The author was obadiah, whose name means the servant of the eternal. The book is named after the prophet who received the vision 1. This past sunday i got to teach the bible book of obadiah for the first time. Like a number of prophetic books, it is both a book of judgment and a book of hope. Read the background reading below about the events. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account.
Since the date of the book is disputed, it is impossible to fix its authorship. The book of obadiah is the shortest book in the hebrew scriptures, or old testament. Oct 07, 20 pastor paul leboutiller of calvary chapel ontario oregon teaches through the book of obadiah. God is the plaintiff, prosecutor, jury, judge, etc. Even though it could cost obadiah his life he followed elijahs instructions. The prophecies of amos and of obadiah were uttered about a century apart yet their theme is very. This bible book provides yet one more reason to put our faith and confidence in jehovahs promises and judgments his words always come true. An obadiah was an officer in king ahab of israels court and.
The book of obadiah stoke poges is a small village in england not too far from windsor castle. Obadiah, with only one chapter consisting of 21 verses, is the shortest of all old testament books and purports to be a record of the vision of. Obadiah niv obadiahs vision the vision of bible gateway. The defendants are edom which the charge being for its arrogance for what it has done to israel.
Video series bible book introduction videos english bible book introduction videos. Obadiah, book of definition and meaning bible dictionary. This obadiah is in the time of king ahab and elijah is not the same obadiah the prophet that wrote the book named after him. Video video download options bible book introduction videos share. Big picture question say this story comes from the book of obadiah. The bible is the worlds most fascinating handbook for life, narrating its most tender and delicate passions as well as political intrigue. Obadiah announces edoms downfall to babylon, which is an image of how. We do not know anything of the book s author but his name obadiah servant or worshipper of jehovah.
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