The exact dating of Obadiah’s prophecy is debated among scholars, with proposals ranging from the ninth century BC to the sixth century BC. Many scholars favor a date shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, since the book describes Edom’s betrayal of Judah during a time of national catastrophe, likely referring to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. Others argue for an earlier period tied to a different invasion of Judah, such as during the reign of Jehoram. Because the book contains no explicit historical markers naming a king or era, certainty about the exact date remains elusive.
Almost nothing is known about Obadiah personally. His name means “servant of the Lord” or “worshiper of the Lord,” a fitting title though not necessarily unique, since several other individuals in the Old Testament share this name. Scripture gives no genealogy, hometown, or family background for the prophet, and no other book explicitly identifies him with any of the other biblical figures named Obadiah. Attempts to connect him to other Obadiahs mentioned in Scripture remain speculative and are not confirmed by the text.
The relationship between Edom and Judah dated back to Jacob and Esau, and though tension existed between the two nations throughout their history, the book of Obadiah addresses a specific moment of profound betrayal, when Edom took advantage of Judah’s distress, whether by refusing aid, celebrating Judah’s downfall, looting the fallen city, or even handing over Judean refugees to their enemies. This behavior violated the expected loyalty between kindred nations and drew sharp divine condemnation.
Introduction
Obadiah chapter 1, the entirety of this short prophetic book, delivers a strong message of judgment against Edom for its pride, violence, and betrayal of Israel during times of distress. The prophet condemns Edom’s arrogance, rooted in its rocky and seemingly secure dwelling, warning that such confidence will not protect it from God’s judgment. Obadiah specifically addresses Edom’s failure to help, and even active participation in harming, their brother nation Israel when Jerusalem faced calamity. The chapter emphasizes the principle of divine justice, declaring that Edom’s actions will bring about its own downfall. The book closes with a hopeful promise of restoration for Israel, affirming that God’s kingdom and deliverance will ultimately prevail.
Chapter 1 (BBE)
1 The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom— We have heard a message from the LORD: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, let us go against her for battle”—
2 “See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.
3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’
4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.
5 “If thieves came to you, if robbers in the night— oh, what a disaster awaits you!— would they not steal only as much as they wanted? If grape pickers came to you, would they not leave a few grapes?
6 But how Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged!
7 All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you,but you will not detect it.
8 “In that day,” declares the LORD, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
9 Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter.
10 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever.
11 On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.
12 You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
13 You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.
14 You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble.
15 “The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
16 Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink and be as if they had never been.
17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
18 Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.” The LORD has spoken.
19 People from the Negev will occupy the mountains of Esau, and people from the foothills will possess the land of the Philistines. They will occupy the fields of Ephraim and Samaria, and Benjamin will possess Gilead.
20 This company of Israelite exiles who are in Canaan will possess the land as far as Zarephath; the exiles from Jerusalem who are in Sepharad will possess the towns of the Negev.
21 Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the LORD’s.
Important Verses
Verse 3 to 4 Edom’s pride is condemned, as their confidence in their secure, elevated dwelling will not save them from God’s judgment.
Verse 10 God declares that Edom’s violence against their brother nation Jacob will result in shame and complete destruction.
Verse 12 to 14 Obadiah rebukes Edom for rejoicing over Israel’s suffering and for participating in the plunder and betrayal of their brother nation.
Verse 15 The prophet warns that the day of the Lord is near for all nations, and that Edom will receive in return what it has done to others.
Verse 17 to 21 The chapter closes with a promise of restoration for Israel, affirming that deliverance will come to Zion and that the kingdom will ultimately belong to the Lord.
