Obadiah

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This article is about people named Obadiah in the Old Testament. For prophetic book, see Book of Obadiah. For a Khazar ruler, see Obadiah (king).

Contents

[edit] The Prophet Obadiah

[edit] In the Old Testament

The prophet named Obadiah is credited with authorship of the shortest book in the Old Testament,[1] consisting of a mere 21 verses in a single chapter. Two theories exist for the date of his ministry, due to certain historical ambiguities in the book bearing his name. If, as one set of scholars believe, the Book of Obadiah was written upon the destruction of Jerusalem by the Phillistines and Arabs, the date would fall between 848 and 840 B.C.[2] If, as the second major theory holds, the events recorded in his writings refer to the invasion of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, the date would be nearer to 586 B.C.[2] The main thrust of the prophet's ministry, reflected in the themes of his book, is the ultimate victory of the people of God if they maintain their faith. Edom is used as an example of failure to manifest love toward one's neighbor in times of need, (Oba 1:1-17) and the eventual victory of Israel is declared in a vision of the future. (Oba 1:18-21)

See main entry on the Book of Obadiah.

[edit] In rabbinic tradition

According to the Talmud, Obadiah is said to have been a convert to Judaism from Edom,[3] a descendant of Eliphaz, the friend of Job. He is identified with the Obadiah who prophesied against Edom, and it is said that he was chosen to prophesy against Edom because he was himself an Edomite. Moreover, having lived with two such godless persons as Ahab and Jezebel without learning to act as they did, he seemed the most suitable person to prophesy against Esau (Edom), who, having been brought up by two pious persons, Isaac and Rebekah, had not learned to imitate their good deeds.

Obadiah is supposed to have received the gift of prophecy for having hidden the hundred prophets from the persecution of Jezebel.[3] He hid the prophets in two caves, so that if those in one cave should be discovered those in the other might yet escape. (1 Kings 18:3, 4)

Obadiah was very rich, but all his wealth was expended in feeding the poor prophets, until, in order to be able to continue to support them, finally he had to borrow money at interest from Ahab's son Jehoram (Midrash Exodus Rabbah xxxi. 3). Obadiah's fear of God was one degree higher than that of Abraham; and if the house of Ahab had been capable of being blessed, it would have been blessed for Obadiah's sake (Sanh. l.c.)

[edit] In Christianity

On the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar, Obadiah's feast day is November 19.

[edit] Other Obadiahs in the Old Testament

Other individuals named Obadiah in the Old Testament are listed as:

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nelson's Compact Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 191, Thomas Nelson Publishers (1964), ISBN 0-8407-5636-5
  2. ^ a b The Rainbow Study Bible, Illustrated Reference Edition, 1998, p. 1040, Rainbow Studies, Inc., ISBN 1-58170-025-3
  3. ^ a b The Babylonian Talmud: Tract Sanhedrin, Volume VIII, XVI, Part II (Haggada), Chapter XI, p. 376, translated by Michael L. Rodkinson, Boston, The Talmud Society
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