Who Was Obadiah in the Bible?
Who Was Obadiah in the Bible? Obadiah refers to both a minor prophet who wrote against Edom and a faithful governor in Ahab's house who protected God's prophets.
Key verse: Obadiah 1:1 (KJV)
Obadiah refers to both a minor prophet who wrote against Edom and a faithful governor in Ahab's house who protected God's prophets.
Obadiah refers to both a minor prophet who wrote against Edom and a faithful governor in Ahab's house who protected God's prophets.
"The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle." — Obadiah 1:1 (KJV)
Meaning
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The Biblical Answer
The name Obadiah, meaning 'servant of Jehovah,' is held by several men in the Old Testament, most notably a prophet and a royal official. The prophet Obadiah authored the shortest book in the Old Testament, delivering a vision of judgment against the nation of Edom. Because the Edomites had rejoiced over the destruction of Jerusalem and participated in its looting, Obadiah 1:1 declares, 'The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.' His message emphasized that pride and cruelty would lead to Edom's total extinction while Israel would eventually be restored. Centuries earlier, during the reign of King Ahab, another Obadiah served as the governor of the king's house. Despite the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel, 1 Kings 18:3 states that 'Obadiah feared the LORD greatly.' He demonstrated heroic courage when Jezebel sought to exterminate the prophets of the Lord. 1 Kings 18:4 recounts how he 'took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.' This Obadiah served as a vital link between the prophet Elijah and the king, risking his life to preserve the faithful remnant of Israel. Both men, though in different roles, lived up to their name by faithfully serving the Lord during times of great spiritual darkness.
Key Scripture References
"The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle."
"And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:)"
"For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)"
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who was Elijah the prophet?
Elijah was one of Israel's greatest prophets who confronted the worship of Baal, performed mighty miracles, and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire without dying.
Who Was Ahab in the Bible?
Ahab was a king of Israel who, with his wife Jezebel, led the nation into deep Baal worship and stands as one of the most wicked kings in Scripture.
What Is Prophecy in the Bible?
Prophecy is the divine revelation of God's truth, purposes, and future events through chosen messengers, ultimately pointing to and culminating in Jesus Christ.
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.'
Deep Dive Commentary
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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
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