Who Wrote Obadiah?
Quick Summary
The book of Obadiah is attributed to a prophet named Obadiah, though the text provides no biographical details beyond his name. As the shortest book in the Old Testament, Obadiah focuses entirely on the judgment of Edom following Jerusalem’s fall. Most scholars agree that the book reflects a prophetic voice responding to a specific historical trauma, likely in the aftermath of the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BCE. Obadiah demonstrates how brief prophetic writings can carry enduring theological weight.
Introduction
Obadiah is easy to overlook. At only twenty-one verses, it is the shortest book in the Old Testament and contains no narrative, no call story, and no personal reflection. Yet its brevity is deceptive. Obadiah delivers one of Scripture’s most focused indictments, aimed squarely at Edom for its role in Judah’s devastation.
Because the book offers so little about its author, questions of authorship must be answered carefully. Obadiah invites readers to consider how prophetic authority can rest in message rather than personality, and how even a small text can become part of Israel’s enduring Scripture.
Obadiah the Prophet: What We Know
The book opens simply: “The vision of Obadiah” (Obadiah 1:1). Unlike many prophetic books, there is no patronymic, no list of kings, and no geographical marker. The name Obadiah, meaning “servant of the Lord,” was common in ancient Israel, making precise identification impossible.
Paul R. House notes that the lack of biographical detail shifts attention away from the prophet himself and toward the theological claim of the vision (Obadiah, Old Testament Library). The authority of the book does not depend on the reader knowing who Obadiah was, but on the truthfulness of what is proclaimed.
Historical Setting: Edom and the Fall of Jerusalem
Most scholars situate Obadiah in the context of Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon in 587 BCE. The book accuses Edom of standing by while Judah was plundered and of participating in the aftermath of the catastrophe (Obadiah 10–14).
These charges align closely with what is known of Edom’s behavior during the Babylonian conquest. John J. Collins observes that Obadiah reflects the bitterness and theological reckoning that followed Judah’s collapse (Introduction to the Hebrew Bible).
While some have proposed earlier dates, the specificity of Obadiah’s accusations strongly supports a post-destruction setting.
Relationship to Other Prophetic Texts
Obadiah shares language and imagery with other prophetic books, particularly Jeremiah. Portions of Obadiah 1–9 closely parallel Jeremiah 49:7–22, raising questions about literary dependence.
Most scholars conclude that Obadiah and Jeremiah draw on a shared prophetic tradition concerning Edom rather than direct copying. Marvin A. Sweeney argues that such shared material reflects the circulation of prophetic oracles within Israel’s communities (The Twelve Prophets, Berit Olam).
This intertextuality situates Obadiah firmly within Israel’s prophetic network rather than isolating it as an anomaly.
Composition and Unity
Despite its brevity, Obadiah is carefully structured. The book moves from judgment against Edom to a broader vision of divine sovereignty and restoration (Obadiah 15–21). The focus widens from a single nation to the “day of the Lord” affecting all nations.
Brevard Childs emphasizes that this movement gives the book theological depth beyond its immediate historical grievance (Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture). Obadiah does not merely condemn Edom; it reasserts God’s justice on a global scale.
The book’s unity argues against fragmentary composition and supports the view of a single prophetic proclamation preserved intact.
Inspiration and Prophetic Brevity
Obadiah challenges assumptions that inspired Scripture must be lengthy or complex. Its authority lies in its precision. The prophet names injustice, identifies responsibility, and trusts that God will act.
The book shows that prophetic speech can be sharply focused without being shallow. Obadiah’s vision gives theological meaning to historical trauma, reminding Israel that betrayal does not escape divine notice.
Conclusion
The book of Obadiah preserves the voice of a prophet whose identity remains largely unknown but whose message remains unmistakable. Written in response to the fall of Jerusalem, Obadiah confronts betrayal and affirms God’s justice.
Obadiah endures because it insists that even the smallest voices in Scripture speak with authority when they speak truthfully about God’s purposes.
FAQ
Who was Obadiah?
The prophet is identified only by name, and no further biographical information is provided.
When was Obadiah written?
Most scholars date the book to the period following Jerusalem’s destruction in 587 BCE.
Does the book’s brevity affect its authority?
No. Obadiah demonstrates that theological depth does not depend on length.
