Book overview · 1 chapters
Book of Obadiah: Overview and Scholarly Commentary
1 chapters
The Book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible, an prophetic oracle primarily concerned with the judgment of Edom for its role in the destruction of Jerusalem. It foretells Edom's complete ruin and the eventual restoration and expansion of Israel's territory.
AuthorThe book is attributed to a prophet named Obadiah, but nothing is known about him, and the name simply means 'servant of Yahweh.' Critical scholars generally consider the author to be anonymous.
WrittenLikely 5th or 4th century BCE, after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
GenreProphetic oracle
AudienceThe oracle is directed against Edom, but its primary audience was the post-exilic community of Judah, offering comfort and hope.
PurposeTo pronounce divine judgment against Edom and to assure Judah of God's justice and future restoration.
Introduction drafted from the lecture transcripts by AI, pending the team's edit.