Names of the Book
English: | Obadiah |
Hebrew: | עבדיה |
Transliterated: | Ovadyah |
Other names: |
Who
Wrote the book: | Obadiah |
Are the key people: | The Edomites |
Is it written to: | The people of the kingdom of Judah and the Edomites |
What
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) |
When
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) |
Where
Was it written: | unknown |
Did the events occur: | Edom, Jerusalem |
Why
Obadiah was written to inform us that: |
G-d requires justice. |
G-d humbles the prideful and the haughty. |
Introduction
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.
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