When Was Obadiah Written?
Quick Summary
The Book of Obadiah was written in response to the fall of Jerusalem, most likely in the early exilic period of the sixth century BCE. Its central concern is Edom’s violence against Judah during Jerusalem’s destruction in 586 BCE. While some scholars have proposed earlier dates, the weight of internal and historical evidence points to a post-586 BCE setting. Understanding when Obadiah was written clarifies its sharp tone, focused scope, and enduring theological vision of justice.
Introduction
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible, yet it carries extraordinary intensity. In just twenty-one verses, it delivers a searing indictment of Edom and announces divine judgment rooted in betrayal, violence, and gloating over Jerusalem’s fall.
Because Obadiah is brief and lacks explicit chronological markers such as kings or dates, questions about when it was written have long occupied biblical scholarship. Despite its size, the book is historically dense. Its accusations presuppose a specific catastrophe, and its theology reflects a community wrestling with loss, injustice, and the hope that God still governs history.
Determining when Obadiah was written is essential for understanding both its message and its place within prophetic tradition.
Historical Background: Judah and Edom
Edom was Judah’s close neighbor and kin nation, traditionally associated with Esau, Jacob’s brother (Genesis 25:23–26). This shared ancestry makes Obadiah’s accusations especially severe.
Throughout Israel’s history, relations with Edom were tense but varied. At times Edom resisted Israelite control; at other times the two coexisted uneasily. Obadiah presumes a moment when Edom crossed a decisive line, participating in or exploiting Judah’s destruction.
The most likely historical event behind the book is the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. Biblical texts such as Psalm 137:7 and Lamentations 4:21–22 accuse Edom of rejoicing over Jerusalem’s fall and assisting its enemies.
Internal Evidence from Obadiah
Obadiah repeatedly refers to a time when Jerusalem was invaded, its wealth plundered, and its people carried off (Obadiah 11–14). The prophet condemns Edom for standing aloof, celebrating Judah’s misfortune, and even capturing fugitives.
These descriptions align closely with the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall. The language presumes devastation already completed rather than merely threatened.
Unlike prophets who warn of coming judgment, Obadiah speaks from within catastrophe. Judgment is no longer hypothetical. It is remembered, interpreted, and answered theologically.
Dating Proposals and Scholarly Debate
Some early scholars proposed a ninth-century BCE date, associating Obadiah with conflicts during the reign of Jehoram (2 Kings 8:20–22). This view suggests Edom revolted during Judah’s weakness.
However, this proposal struggles to account for the scale of destruction assumed by the text. Obadiah describes not a border revolt but the collapse of Jerusalem itself.
Most contemporary scholars therefore date Obadiah shortly after 586 BCE, during the early years of exile. This setting best explains the book’s focus, tone, and theological urgency (Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, pp. 394–396).
Relationship to Jeremiah
Obadiah shares striking similarities with Jeremiah 49:7–22, which also contains oracles against Edom. The overlap includes imagery, phrasing, and thematic structure.
Scholars debate the direction of dependence. Some argue that Obadiah borrowed from Jeremiah, while others suggest both drew from a shared prophetic tradition.
In either case, the relationship supports an exilic or late pre-exilic context, as Jeremiah’s ministry culminated in Jerusalem’s fall. Obadiah fits naturally into this same historical horizon.
Linguistic and Literary Evidence
The Hebrew of Obadiah aligns with classical prophetic language rather than later postexilic forms. This suggests composition not long after the exile began.
Obadiah’s rhetoric is sharp and concentrated. Its poetic structure, use of parallelism, and direct address reflect an oral prophetic style preserved in written form.
The book’s brevity does not imply simplicity. Its careful arrangement moves from indictment to cosmic judgment and finally to restoration centered on Zion.
Obadiah and the Day of the Lord
A key theological theme in Obadiah is the Day of the Lord. Unlike earlier prophetic uses focused on Israel, Obadiah universalizes the concept.
The Day of the Lord now encompasses all nations. Edom’s judgment becomes a sign of broader divine justice.
This expansion reflects exilic theology, where national catastrophe forced Israel to reconsider God’s sovereignty over history and nations alike.
Composition and Purpose
Obadiah appears to be a unified composition rather than a compilation of scattered oracles. Its focused subject matter and consistent voice suggest a single prophetic moment.
The book’s purpose is not merely to condemn Edom but to reassure Judah. In a moment when injustice seemed victorious, Obadiah insists that history remains accountable to God.
The final verses envision restored rule centered on Zion, signaling hope beyond devastation.
Relationship to Authorship
Little is known about Obadiah himself beyond his name. The lack of biographical detail is consistent with the book’s intense focus on the message rather than the messenger.
The coherence of the text suggests a single author or prophetic voice shaped by a specific historical trauma.
For a fuller discussion of authorship traditions, see Who Wrote Obadiah?.
Why the Date of Obadiah Matters
Dating Obadiah to the aftermath of 586 BCE allows its message to be heard as pastoral as well as prophetic.
The book addresses a community wounded by loss and betrayal. Its sharp language gives voice to grief and anger while refusing to surrender hope.
Understanding when Obadiah was written reveals it as theology forged in trauma rather than abstract moral critique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Obadiah written before or after Jerusalem fell?
Most scholars date it shortly after Jerusalem’s fall in 586 BCE.
Why is Edom singled out?
Edom’s kinship with Judah made its actions during the destruction especially grievous.
Is Obadiah dependent on Jeremiah?
The two books share material, likely drawing from a common prophetic tradition.
Why is Obadiah so short?
Its focused purpose allows for concentrated prophetic speech without narrative expansion.
Does Obadiah offer hope?
Yes. The book ends with the restoration of Zion and divine sovereignty.
Works Consulted
John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Fortress Press. Paul R. Raabe, Obadiah, Anchor Yale Bible. Walter Brueggemann, Theology of the Old Testament, Fortress Press. The New Oxford Annotated Bible, NRSV.
