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Names of the Book

JERUSALEM FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES- Edward Lear

English:  Obadiah
Hebrew:  עבדיה
Transliterated:  Ovadyah
Other names:   

 

whoWho

Wrote the book:  Obadiah
Are the key people:  The Edomites
Is it written to:  The people of the kingdom of Judah and the Edomites

 

whatWhat

The destruction of Edom for their indifference when Judah was attacked (Obadiah 1-16)
The restoration of Israel and the house of Jacob (Obadiah 17-21)

 

whenWhen

Was it written:  c 882-870 BCE
or 626-586 BCE
Did the events occur:  c 580-500 BCE
Was it canonized:  c 499-100 BCE
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh)

 

whereWhere

Was it written:  unknown
Did the events occur:  Edom, Jerusalem

 

whyWhy

Obadiah was written to inform us that: 
G-d requires justice.
G-d humbles the prideful and the haughty.

 

whyIntroduction

The shortest book in the Tanakh, Obadiah is a book of prophecy against the Edomites for their collusion with the Babylonians after the destruction of Jerusalem. The Edomites occupied some Judean villages and actively helped the Babylonians capture Israelites who were fleeing the destruction of Jerusalem. Edomites (descendants of Esau) were related to the Israelites and should have helped them. Their betrayal angered G-d who delivered a message through Obadiah that Edom would be repaid for their treachery and that their dealings would "return on their own head." Obadiah also prophesied that the house of Jacob would be restored because of G-d's faithfulness to His people.

 

 

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

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Today is

Yom Sh'lishi, 9 Adar II, 5784

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

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