Who Is the Prophet Obadiah in the Bible?
Who Is the Prophet Obadiah in the Bible? Obadiah wrote the shortest Old Testament book, prophesying judgment against Edom for their pride and cruelty toward Israel.
Key verse: Obadiah 1:3 (KJV)
Obadiah wrote the shortest Old Testament book, prophesying judgment against Edom for their pride and cruelty toward Israel.
Obadiah wrote the shortest Old Testament book, prophesying judgment against Edom for their pride and cruelty toward Israel.
"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?" — Obadiah 1:3 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament with only 21 verses, yet it delivers a powerful message. Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's brother), had a long history of hostility toward Israel. When Jerusalem fell, the Edomites gloated, looted, and even captured fleeing Israelites. Obadiah condemned their pride—'The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high' (Obadiah 1:3)—and pronounced God's judgment upon them. The book ends with hope: 'And the kingdom shall be the LORD's' (v. 21), affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over all nations.
Key Scripture References
"The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?"
"For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Are the Minor Prophets in the Bible?
The twelve Minor Prophets—Hosea through Malachi—are called 'minor' not because of lesser importance but because of the shorter length of their books.
What Does the Bible Say About Pride?
The Bible identifies pride as the root of many sins, warns that God opposes the proud, and calls believers to cultivate humility instead.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Who Was Moses?
Moses was the great deliverer and lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Obadiah. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Obadiah on day 241 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Who Is the Prophet Obadiah in the Bible?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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