Who Was Obadiah in the Bible — Meaning Explained

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.