Introduction to the Book of Obadiah in the Bible
Obadiah 1:1-4 - The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; 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. Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised. The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation [is] high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt [thyself] as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.
Obadiah 1:10-14 - For [thy] violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever. In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou [wast] as one of them. But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid [hands] on their substance in the day of their calamity; Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.
The Old Testament - A Brief Overview
Bible Survey - Obadiah
Hebrew Name - Ovahd'Yah
"Servant of Yahweh"
Greek Name - Avdiou (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Obadiah (According to Tradition)
Date - 587 BC Approximately
Theme - The Destruction of Edom
Types and Shadows - In Obadiah Jesus is the One whose kingdom it is.
Quick Overview of Obadiah. � � 1:1-21 � � God's wrath upon the nation of Edom, and the establishment of God's kingdom.
The prophet Obadiah prophesied judgment upon the nation of Edom for taking
pleasure in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, and they also
attacked Judah during this invasion. Obadiah pleads that Edom should've helped
Judah and should not have participated in their calamity. The Edomites were
brothers of the Hebrews, they were descendents of Esau the brother of Jacob.
They have always opposed their brothers, and even though their mountain
stronghold in the gorges of the Petra region seemed impregnable, Obadiah
predicted the Edomites doom. Edom was destroyed by the Babylonians in 582 BC,
the same army that they helped in the siege of Jerusalem. Later during New
Testament times Herod the Great was an Idumaen Edomite and after the destruction
of Herod's Temple in 70 AD the Edomites disappeared from history.
© Free Bible
The book of Obadiah contains only one chapter and is the shortest book of the whole Old Testament. Obadiah's name means "servant of Yahweh", and he delivered a message regarding the Edomites who had helped the Babylonians in their conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. The Edomites were the brothers of the Jews having descended from Esau the twin brother of Jacob, but they were always opposing the Jews and therefore there was always enmity between them. The Edomites lived in the mountainous rocky range in the southern portion of the Dead Sea region, and they had built "impregnable fortresses" in the canyons and gorges of these mountains. The ruins at the rock city of Petra are truly magnificent to behold, and they attest to the greatness of the once flourishing Edomites.
The prophecy of Obadiah reveals the sins of Edom and God's denunciation of their actions against Jerusalem. In 582 BC, only four years after the destruction of Jerusalem Edom was conquered by the Babylonians, the same army that they helped in defeating Jerusalem. In New Testament times the Herodian Dynasty was an Edomite family but after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD the Edomites disappeared from history. The prophet Obadiah said that the Edomites would be "cut off forever" and "be as though they had not been." (Obadiah 1:10-18)
You should not have entered the gate of My people in the day of their calamity. Indeed, you should not have gazed on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity. You should not have stood at the crossroads to cut off those among them who escaped; nor should you have delivered up those among them who remained in the day of distress. "For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head. Obadiah 1:13-15
The last verses of the book of Obadiah reveals that Judah will be saved and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.
Outline of the Book of Obadiah
The contents of the book may be analyzed further as follows:
1 - Obadiah's prophecy of the doom of Edom
1:21 - The kingdom shall be the LORD's
ObadiahSelect a Chapter
|
More About the Book of
Obadiah
Obadiah in the Picture
Study Bible
Chart
of the Prophets of Israel and Judah
Timeline of the Ancient
World
Back to the Old Testament
Back to Bible
History Online
� Free Bible (https://free-bible.com)
Read The Bible
- 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
- 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)
- American Standard Version (ASV)
- Amplified Bible (AMP)
- Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
- Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)
- BRG Bible (BRG)
- Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
- Common English Bible (CEB)
- Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
- Contemporary English Version (CEV)
- Darby Translation (DARBY)
- Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT)
- Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
- Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
- English Standard Version (ESV)
- English Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)
- Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)
- Expanded Bible (EXB)
- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
- Good News Translation (GNT)
- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
- International Children’s Bible (ICB)
- International Standard Version (ISV)
- J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)
- Jubilee Bible 2000 (JUB)
- King James Version (KJV)
- Lexham English Bible (LEB)
- Living Bible (TLB)
- Modern English Version (MEV)
- Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament (MOUNCE)
- Names of God Bible (NOG)
- New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
- New American Standard Bible (NASB)
- New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)
- New Catholic Bible (NCB)
- New Century Version (NCV)
- New English Translation (NET)
- New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
- New International Version - UK (NIVUK)
- New International Version (NIV)
- New King James Version (NKJV)
- New Life Version (NLV)
- New Living Translation (NLT)
- New Matthew Bible (NMB)
- New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
- New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)
- New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)
- New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition (NRSVACE)
- New Testament for Everyone (NTE)
- Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)
- Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)
- Revised Standard Version (RSV)
- Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
- The Message (MSG)
- The Voice (VOICE)
- Tree of Life Version (TLV)
- World English Bible (WEB)
- Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)
- Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
- Young's Literal Translation (YLT)
Table of Contents
The Story of the Bible
- The Old Testament
- Quick Summary
- About
- Divisions
- Timeline
- Charts
- Maps
- Creation
- Adam and Eve
- The Flood
- The Tower of Babel
- Abraham the First Hebrew
Isaac, Son of Promise
- Jacob and the 12 Tribes
- Joseph and Egypt
- Moses and the Exodus
- The Giving of the Law
- The Tabernacle
- The Wilderness Wanderings
- Joshua and the Promised Land
- The Judges
- Samuel the Prophet
- Saul, Israel's First King
- King David
- King Solomon
- The Divided Kingdom
- The Northern Kingdom of Israel
- The Southern Kingdom of Judah
- The Assyrian Captivity
- The Babylonian Captivity
- The Return From Babylon
- The Prophets
- The Messiah
- Conclusion
- Bibliography and Credits
Summary of the Old Testament Books
- Genesis
- Exodus
- Leviticus
- Numbers
- Deuteronomy
- Joshua
- Judges
- Ruth
- Samuel
- Kings
- Chronicles
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Esther
- Job
- Psalms
- Proverbs
- Ecclesiastes
- Song of Solomon
- Isaiah
- Jeremiah
- Lamentations
- Ezekiel
- Daniel
- Hosea
- Joel
- Amos
- Obadiah
- Jonah
- Micah
- Nahum
- Habakkuk
- Zephaniah
- Haggai
- Zechariah
- Malachi
Read the Old Testament Stories
Bibliography Resources on the Old Testament
- A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Revised and Expanded by Archer, 508 Pages, Pub. 2007
- The Old Testament: A Historical, Theological, and Critical Introduction
- Introducing the Old Testament: A Historical, Literary, and Theological Survey
- A Survey of the Old Testament
- An Introduction to the Old Testament: Second Edition
- Old Testament Theology
- A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised
Old Testament Charts to Help with the Study of the Bible
- Old Testament Books
- Old Testament Books in English Order
- Old Testament Books in Hebrew Order
- Old Testament Books - Hebrew Meanings
- Divisions of the Old Testament
- Timeline of the Pentateuch
- Adam and Eve, a Type of Christ and the Church
- The Table of Nations in Genesis 10
- Lifespans in Genesis
- The Lineage of Christ in Genesis
- The Family Tree of Esau
- The 12 Tribes of Israel
- Joseph, A Type of Christ
- The Encampment of Israel
- The Hebrew Calendar of Months
- The 7 Feasts and God's Calendar
- The Feasts and Festivals of Israel
- Scriptures and Procedures of the Feasts
- Chapters, Verses, and Words in the Old Testament
- Miracles in the Old Testament
- Parables in the Old Testament
- Gentile Nations in the Old Testament
- The Servant of the LORD, Israel and the Messiah
- The Distinction Between Kings and Chronicles
- The Judges who Delivered Israel
- The Royal House of David
- The Kings of Israel
- The Kings of Judah
- Chronology of Israel and Judah's Kings and Prophets
- Chronology of the Prophets
- Messages of the Prophets
- Kings of the Assyrian Empire
- Kings of the Babylonian Empire
- Kings of the Persian Empire
- Cuneiform Inscriptions with Names of Foreign Kings
Main Menu
- Ancient Assyrian Social Structure
- Ancient Babylonia
- Ancient Canaan During the Time of Joshua
- Ancient History Timeline
- Ancient Oil Lamps
- Antonia Fortress
- Archaeology of Ancient Assyria
- Assyria and Bible Prophecy
- Augustus Caesar
- Background Bible Study
- Bible
- Biblical Geography
- Fallen Empires - Archaeological Discoveries and the Bible
- First Century Jerusalem
- Glossary of Latin Words
- Herod Agrippa I
- Herod Antipas
- Herod the Great
- Herod's Temple
- High Priest's in New Testament Times
- Jewish Literature in New Testament Times
- Library collection
- Map of David's Kingdom
- Map of the Divided Kingdom - Israel and Judah
- Map of the Ministry of Jesus
- Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
- Messianic Prophecy
- Nero Caesar Emperor
- Online Bible Maps
- Paul's First Missionary Journey
- Paul's Second Missionary Journey
- Paul's Third Missionary Journey
- Pontius Pilate
- Questions About the Ancient World
- Tabernacle of Ancient Israel
- Tax Collectors in New Testament Times
- The Babylonian Captivity
- The Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser
- The Books of the New Testament
- The Court of the Gentiles
- The Court of the Women in the Temple
- The Destruction of Israel
- The Fall of Judah with Map
- The History Of Rome
- The Incredible Bible
- The Jewish Calendar in Ancient Hebrew History
- The Life of Jesus in Chronological Order
- The Life of Jesus in Harmony
- The Names of God
- The New Testament
- The Old Testament
- The Passion of the Christ
- The Pharisees
- The Sacred Year of Israel in New Testament Times
- The Samaritans
- The Scribes
Ancient Questions
- How did the ancient Greeks and Romans practice medicine and treat illnesses?
- What were the major contributions of ancient Babylon to mathematics and astronomy?
- How did the ancient Persians create and administer their vast empire?
- What were the cultural and artistic achievements of ancient India, particularly during the Gupta Empire?
- How did ancient civilizations like the Incas and Aztecs build their remarkable cities and structures?
- What were the major trade routes and trading practices of the ancient world?
- What was the role of slavery in ancient societies like Rome and Greece?
- How did the ancient Mayans develop their sophisticated calendar system?
- What were the key events and significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in ancient Greece?
- What was life like for women in ancient Rome?
Bible Study Questions
- The Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV): Historical Significance, Translation Methodology, and Lasting Impact
- Exploring the English Standard Version (ESV): Its Aspects, Comparisons, Impact on Biblical Studies, and Church Use
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of Language Updates in the KJ21: Comparison with Other Versions
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of the American Standard Version (ASV): Comparison to the King James Version, Influence on Later Translations, and Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses
- A Detailed Historical Analysis of Amplifications in the Amplified Bible (AMP) and Its Comparison to Other Bible Translations
- Detailed Historical Analysis of the Amplified Bible Classic Edition (AMPC): Examples of Amplifications and Comparative Analysis with Other Bible Translations
- Theological Implications of the BRG Bible's Color-Coding System: A Comparative Analysis
- The Christian Standard Bible (CSB): An In-Depth Analysis
- The Geneva Bible: Theological Distinctives, Impact on English Literature, and Role in Bible Translation History
- Exploring the Common English Bible (CEB): Translation Methodology, Church Use, and Comparative Analysis
About
Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.
Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.
Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.
Recent posts
-
Is It Sinful to Get a Hair Transplant? What Does the Bible Say?
For many, hair loss is more than a physical concern—it can also bring up emotional, social, and even spiritual questions. One question that often ar... -
How to View the Contents of a VMDK File
A VMDK (Virtual Machine Disk) is a specialized file format developed by VMware to encapsulate the entire contents of a virtual machine's hard disk, in... -
The Olive Tree: Its Symbolism and Meaning in the Bible
The olive tree holds profound significance in the Bible, embodying peace, prosperity, divine favor, and resilience. This sacred tree is not only one o... -
Jaxx Liberty Wallet: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Your Crypto Assets
Jaxx Liberty Wallet is a powerful multi-chain cryptocurrency pockets designed to soundly store, control, and alternate a huge sort of virtual assets. ... -
TikTok for B2B: The Unexpected Growth Channel for Business in 2025
In a surprising twist of digital marketing evolution, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse for B2B growth in 2025. While traditionally viewed as a platf...