Prophet Prophet Obadiah

HONEST DATING CAVEAT: the previous record "5th century BC" does not precisely match either of the two existing traditions — neither the tradition of the steward of King Ahab (9th c. BC) nor the prevailing scholarly dating of the book itself to shortly after Jerusalem's fall in 586 BC (6th c. BC). The traditional, hagiographically accepted 9th-century dating (identification with Ahab's steward) has been kept, with a note on the scholarly alternative.

Obadiah, fourth of the Twelve Minor Prophets, is the author of the shortest book in the Old Testament, only 21 verses long. His Hebrew name means "servant of the LORD." Scripture itself provides no direct biographical details about him.

A later Jewish tradition, echoed by some Church writers, identifies him with the Obadiah who served as steward of the household of the wicked King Ahab of Israel: according to 1 Kings 18:3–4, this God-fearing official secretly hid one hundred prophets of the Lord in two caves during Queen Jezebel's persecution, sustaining them with bread and water. Blessed Jerome adds that Obadiah was of the tribe of Ephraim, later became a disciple of the Prophet Elijah, and died and was buried in Samaria, where his tomb was renowned for miracles.

The Book of Obadiah proclaims God's judgment against Edom, the neighboring kingdom descended from Esau, for its violence and treacherous gloating against "brother Jacob" (Judah) at the hour of Jerusalem's fall. It closes with a promise of Israel's restoration: "saviors shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD's" (Obadiah 1:21).