What was Obadiah known for?
According to the Talmud, Obadiah is said to have been a convert to Judaism from Edom, a descendant of Eliphaz, the friend of Job. He is identified with the Obadiah who was the servant of Ahab, and it is said that he was chosen to prophesy against Edom because he was himself an Edomite.
What do we know about Obadiah in the Bible?
Obadiah is one of the Twelve Minor Prophets in the final section of Nevi'im, the second main division of the Hebrew Bible. The text consists of a single chapter, divided into 21 verses, making it the shortest book in the Hebrew Bible.
What is the lesson of Obadiah?
Obadiah reminds the Edomites that God did not turn a blind eye towards the wicked deeds His children had suffered. He was not absent in the cruelty they had endured. The second comfort for the people of God is found at the end of the sentences with words like “misfortune, distress, disaster, calamity, and ruin”.
Who was the wife of Obadiah in the Bible?
HIS WIFE, JEZEBEL, IS ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS NAMES IN THE BIBLE, EVEN APPEARING AGAIN IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION. TOGETHER, THEY WERE THE ULTIMATE WICKED POWER COUPLE. A MAN NAMED OBADIAH, WHO WAS A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF THE LORD, WAS EMPLOYED IN THIS EVIL PALACE AS A SERVANT TO THE WICKED KING AHAB.
Why was God angry with Edom?
In v. 10 the main reason for God's wrath and judgment on Edom is given: "For the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever." Thus, as Boice notes, Edom's specific sin was an aggravated lack of brotherhood.
What does the name Obadiah mean?
servant of GodObadiah as a boy's name is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Obadiah is "servant of God". Biblical: a lesser prophet from the Old Testament.
Who are the Edomites today?
During the 2nd century BC, the Edomites were forcibly converted to Judaism by the Hasmoneans, and were incorporated into the Jewish nation....Edom.Kingdom of Edom 𐤀𐤃𐤌• Conquered by the Hasmonean dynastyc. 125 BCToday part ofIsrael Jordan9 more rows
How was Edom destroyed in the Bible?
Nothing further is recorded of the Edomites in the Tanakh until their defeat by King Saul of Israel in the late 11th century BC (1 Samuel 14:47). Forty years later King David and his general Joab defeated the Edomites in the "Valley of Salt" (probably near the Dead Sea; 2 Samuel 8:13–14; 1 Kings 9:15–16).
What happened to Edom in the Bible?
Edom prospered because of its strategic location on the trade route between Arabia and the Mediterranean and its copper industry at Ezion-geber. Edom and Moab were later conquered by the Nabataeans, and the Edomites migrated to southern Judaea, where they were known in New Testament times as Idumaeans.
Why did God destroy the Edomites?
According to Ezekiel 25:12-14 God will take revenge on the Edomites because they had grievously offended Judah. In this passage the guilt of Edom is not portrayed in great detail, but is seems safe to construe it as a reference to the 'betrayal of Edom'.
What does Edom represent in the Bible?
In Hebrew, "Edom" means "red." Red implies passion or conflict, symbolic of the brothers and their constant fighting. Esau's tribes, otherwise known as the Edomites or the Semites, fought off any Israelites (Jacob's tribes) who entered their territory.
Who was Obadiah in the Old Testament?
He was most likely a contemporary of Jerem iah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.
What does Obadiah mean?
The name Obadiah was common in ancient Israel and Judah. It means “the Lord’s servant” or “worshiper of Yahweh.”. One of the twelve minor prophets: Other than what is disclosed through the book of Obadiah, nothing more is known about Obadiah the prophet.
Who was the gatekeeper in Nehemiah 12?
A gatekeeper: In the time of Nehemiah, one of the gatekeepers who stood guard at the storehouses was named Obadiah ( Nehemiah 12:25 ). Return to:
Who was the son of Shemaiah?
The son of Shemaiah: A member of the tribe of Levi named Obadiah was part of the group of Jews who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity. He was the son of Shemaiah ( 1 Chronicles 9:16 ).
Who led the group of 218 men who returned from exile with Ezra?
He led a group of 218 men who returned from exile with Ezra ( Ezra 8:9 ). A witness: During the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, Obadiah was a priest and one of the leaders of the postexilic Jewish community who signed and sealed the written covenant to obey the laws of God ( Nehemiah 10:1–27 ).
Who was Ishmaiah's father?
Ishmaiah’s father was named Obadiah ( 1 Chronicles 27:19 ). An official: One of King Jehoshaphat’s officials sent to teach the law in the cities of Judah was called Obadiah ( 2 Chronicles 17:7 ). An overseer: A Levite named Obadiah supervised the work of repairing and restoring the temple during the reign of Josiah ( 2 Chronicles 34:12 ).
Did Obadiah quote Jeremiah 49?
Some of Obadiah’s words are remarkably similar to a few verses in Jeremiah 49, leading some scholars to think that Jeremiah quoted or paraphrased some of Obadiah’s prophecy as he was writing his own oracle against Edom.
How many prophets did Obadiah protect?
Obadiah protected 100 prophets. He was the Governor of King Ahab’s house about 916BC. Even though it could cost Obadiah his life he followed Elijah’s instructions. Read the background reading below about the events. There are thirteen men named Obadiah in the Bible.
What did Ahab tell Obadiah to do?
5 Ahab had instructed Obadiah, “Go throughout the land to all of the water springs and to all of the valleys. Maybe we’ll find some grass to keep the horses and mules alive. Also, maybe we won’t have to kill some of our cattle.” 6 So they divided the land between them so they could conduct their survey. Ahab went off by himself in one direction and Obadiah went off by himself in the other.
How many Obadiah men are there?
There are at least 13 men with the name Obadiah which in Hebrew means Servant of Jehovah in the Bible. Including the prophet Obadiah 899BC-795BC or 848BC-841BC with a vision concerning Edom.
What does Obadiah mean in Hebrew?
Obadiah which in Hebrew means: Servant of Jehovah.
Who did Ahab call for?
3 Ahab called for Obadiah, his household supervisor. This man, who feared the LORD very much, 4 had taken 100 prophets and had hidden them by fifties in a cave, providing them with food and water when Jezebel was trying to destroy the LORD’s prophets.
Who did Elijah go to show himself to?
18:1 Quite some time later—three years later!—this message from the LORD came to Elijah: “Go visit Ahab, and I’ll send some rain to the surface of the ground.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab, right when the famine in Samaria was most severe.
Who was the 14th Judge of Israel?
Samson the Fourteenth Judge of Israel. Samuel 15th Judge of Israel and also a Prophet. King Saul first of three Kings. David second of three kings. Jonathan David’s true friend. The widow of Zarephath. Obadiah and Elijah. The prophet Elijah did sixteen miracles. The vineyard of Naboth and King Ahab.
What does Obadiah's name mean in the Bible?
And we may the better endure the bread of affliction, while our eyes see our teachers. Barnes' Notes on the Bible. Obadiah's name, "servant of Yahweh, " indicates his religious character. It corresponds to the modern Arabic name Abdallah.
How many prophets did Obadiah conceal?
The hundred prophets whom Obadiah concealed were probably for the most part pupils ("sons") of the prophets. אישׁ חמשּׁים must signify, according to the context and also according to Obadiah 1:13, "fifty each," so that חמשּׁים must have fallen out through a copyist's error.
What is the significance of Ahab's attitude towards Jezebel?
It is curiously significant of the hesitating and temporising attitude of Ahab, that, while Jezebel is suffered to persecute, a high officer in the court is able to profess openly the service of Jehovah, and secretly to thwart the cruelty of the queen. In his heart Ahab always seems to acknowledge the true God, ...
What was Ahab's care?
Ahab's care was not to lose all the beasts; but he took no care about his soul, not to lose that. He took pains to seek grass, but none to seek the favour of God; fencing against the effect, but not inquiring how to remove the cause.
Who was the governor of his house?
Obadiah, who was governor of his house — Intrusted with the management of the affairs of his family, and highly valued by him on account of his singular prudence and fidelity. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly — Was a truly pious man, and worshipped Jehovah alone, with sincere and fervent affection to his service.
What is the Hebrew word for "servant of Jehovah"?
EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES) Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. 3. Obadiah] The Hebrew word Obadjahu, signifies ‘servant of Jehovah,’ and is a frequent name in the Old Testament, the most conspicuous person so called being the prophet who was contemporary with Jeremiah. See Obadiah 1:1.
What did Obadiah prophesy?
Obadiah prophesied that Edom would be repaid for mitreating God's people. Within a hundred years, Edom was in ruins. Obadiah also asserted that God is sovereign over the nations and that the house of Jacob would be restored because of God's covenant love for his people.
When did Obadiah's book of Obadiah start?
This puts the book between about either 853 BC (When Jerusalem was pillaged 2 Chronicles 21:8-20) and 553 (When Edom was destroyed).
When did Obadiah write the Bible?
My bible has the following intro to Obadiah: Obadiah wrote this shortest book of the Old Testament probably soon after 586 B.C. when the armies of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. During this conquest, the people of Edom helped capture fleeing Israelites and turn them over to the Babylonians.
Was Elijah the same as the Obadiahs?
This would seem to preclude the Obadiahs being the same, as Elijah was well before the Judean exile (he was even before the northern kingdom was overrun).
Who was Obadiah in the Bible?
Obadiah was a court official in charge of the household of the King; a steward and manager of the palace and all its affairs. This meant he had a high position and the responsibility of leadership himself (vs. 3a). He was also a believer who feared the Lord and was a man of faith (vs. 3b). Because of his faith he had hidden 100 prophets from Jezebel. Like all of us, however, his faith needed further growth and maturity. And he needed encouragement.
Why did Elijah call Obadiah his master?
Because Elijah did not correct Obadiah’s action, this was merely seen as respect for the prophet as a true man of God with the word of God fulfilling the mission of God. Since he called Elijah his master in verse 7, this may indicate that Obadiah belonged to the school of the prophets of which Elijah was a headmaster.
Why was Obadiah anxious?
He needed the motivation of Elijah’s leadership through the example and encouragement of the prophet. We all vary in our leadership roles, but there is a sense in which we each have some kind of influence on others as believer priests, as those who are to function as salt and light, and as people who are to be an encouragement to those around us. As we see in this passage, God wants us be sensitive to needs and to be examples by demonstrating the reality of Christ in authentic Christianity. “Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you are doing” ( 1 Thess. 5:11 ).
What was Obadiah's thinking?
Obadiah’s thinking was undermining his ability to respond to Elijah’s request and need. It shows us how we need to bring every thought into captivity and to think with the perspective of the promises and principles of God’s Word. (1) There seemed to be a misconception about trials or difficult assignments.
How many prophets did Obadiah hide?
It took the courage of faith for Obadiah to hide 100 prophets and care for them. (2) Elijah, however, had just come from a time of special preparation and solitude with the Lord and with confirmation in the home of the widow and her son.
What is the purpose of 1 Kings 18?
Let’s review again the theme and purpose of 1 Kings 18. It is the story of Elijah’s confrontation with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel. But equally important, it is also the story of the end of the three-and-a-half years of drought in the land of Israel. In fact, the confrontation on Mount Carmel was designed to show ...
Why did Ahab stay in Samaria?
Ahab stayed in Samaria to attend to pressing matters caused by the drought while Jezebel was in the cool summer residence at Jezreel (cf. 18:45-46; 21:1-2). In the meantime, the Word of the Lord came to Elijah who is told to show himself to King Ahab.
Who did Obadiah speak against?
Obadiah speaks against the Edomites, who were continually at odds with Israel. What began as a sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau continues between the nations they establish. During their journey to the Promised Land, for example, the Edomites refused to allow Israel passage through their territory. Edom even threatened to attack Israel lest they get too close to their border ( Numbers 20:20 ). Israel is made to take an alternative route which immediately finds them attacked by the Canaanite king of Arad. The hostility between these two nations grows from then on. Saul, David, and Solomon, all lead military campaigns against the Edomites.
Why is Obadiah overshadowed by Ezekiel?
This is partly due to a lack of knowledge about Obadiah himself. It is certain that this Obadiah is not the same person who was a contemporary of Elijah, as seen in 1 Kings 18. Scholarship dates the book of Obadiah to shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem, well past Elijah’s day. Beyond this, nothing is known about this enigmatic prophet.
Did Edom justify their boasting?
It can be easy to rationalize our gloating. It is a good bet that Edom justified their boasting under the rhetoric of justice. After all, Edom had a long history of conflict with Israel. Battles were fought, insults were hurled. Both sides of the conflict looked upon the other with disdain and dislike. Thus, when Israel was conquered Edom probably felt that Israel, finally, had “gotten what they deserved.” Such prideful boasting can be easy to adopt, personally and nationally.
What does the Bible say about Obadiah?
This is what we know about Obadiah: 1) He was a devout believer in the Lord (v. 3) 2) He feared the Lord from his youth (v. 12). 3) He hid 100 prophets of the Lord in a cave to keep Jezebel from killing them (v. 4).
Why did Obadiah think it was a virtual death sentence for himself?
He thought it was a virtual death sentence for himself because all he knew was that Elijah had shown up at the king’s courts three years earlier and then suddenly disappeared without a trace. And now Elijah shows up again.
Why did Elijah take the rain with him?
After Elijah vanished into thin air (or so it seemed), he evidently took the rain with him because just like that, the weather report for Samaria was always the same: clear skies, plenty of sun, no clouds and no rain. Thus it had been for over three years.
What does Spurgeon mean by Obadiah?
He means that God ordained that Obadiah be raised in the fear of the Lord from his youth. And then it pleased the Lord to place this godly man in a position that must have been very difficult for him, serving a wicked man like Ahab. Spurgeon also makes a point that, while it cannot be proved, makes sense to me.
Why is Obadiah called a palm in the desert?
Obadiah has been described as a “palm in the desert” because he stood for the Lord in a time of great national apostasy. When others were turning to idolatry, this man, elevated to a high position, would not bow the knee to Baal.
What did the prophet of the living God declare?
The man they called a prophet of the living God had declared that there would be no more rain or dew in Israel. It wasn’t a long speech. In fact, no one could remember anyone ever making a shorter speech to the king. And it wasn’t as if Elijah had been scared.
Where did Elijah escape notice?
But try as he might, he couldn’t find the mountain man who brought drought and famine to his land. Evidently it never occurred to him to search the ravines east of the Jordan, and somehow Elijah escaped notice while living with the widow in Zarephath. Now at last the word of the Lord came to Elijah again.
