Background of the Book of Obadiah

The Book of Obadiah (Hebrew: עֹבַדְיָה) is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible, consisting of only 21 verses. It is the fourth book in the Book of the Twelve Prophets. Obadiah’s birth, birthplace, tribe, and life story are all unknown. Clearly, the message itself is what’s important, not the prophet. Obadiah was the earliest to warn Israel about being taken into captivity; he was the first prophet to write a prophecy to warn the people. The name Obadiah means “worshiper of the LORD” or “servant of the LORD.” Obadiah’s prophecy was not given to the people of Israel, but rather to Edom, a neighboring nation located southeast of the Dead Sea.

The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Though Edomites were brothers to the Israelites, they harbored hatred and contempt for them. During the golden age of King David’s reign, when Israel was at its peak, Edom was a vassal state of Israel. However, as soon as David’s kingdom disintegrated, the Edomites began to cause trouble. Whenever anyone attacked Jerusalem or Israel, whether it was the Philistines, Arabs, or later the Babylonians, the Edomites would join in. They didn’t just watch from afar; they would actively “kick them when they’re down,” seizing the opportunity to vent years of accumulated hatred and jealousy.

The main message of the Book of Obadiah is that God condemns the Edomites for not treating Israel with brotherly love, for not showing empathy but instead taking advantage of their brother Israel’s misfortune during enemy attacks. Therefore, God would judge them.

What became of the Edomites later? In the 6th century BC, the Arabs attacked Edom, and the Edomites were forced to abandon their fortified cities, fleeing from the Rift Valley into the southern desert. After arriving in the Negev, the Edomites renamed the area “Idumea,” and from then on, they left their mountain cities to live a nomadic life in the southern desert.

Later, an Edomite went to Rome to negotiate with Caesar, hoping to buy the Jewish kingship in Jerusalem. Rome sold him the kingship. This man was Herod the Idumean (Edomite), who became King of Israel. He ordered the massacre of all male infants in Bethlehem. His son, Herod Antipas, killed John the Baptist. His grandson, also named Herod, is recorded in the Book of Acts as having been eaten by worms and dying. His great-grandson, Agrippa II, died in 100 AD without leaving any descendants. From then on, the Edomites became extinct. Today, there are no Edomites left in the world. Obadiah had prophesied this fate for Edom long ago.

From Obadiah’s prophecy to the extinction of the Edomites, approximately 910 years passed. God keeps His word; He will certainly do what He says. Heaven and earth will pass away, but the word of the LORD endures forever!

Edited and compiled from David Pawson’s Old Testament Survey series recordings.