Bible Verse Lookup
Obadiah - Introduction
Nothing is known about this Obadiah. The similarities between vv. 1–9 and Jer. 49.7–22 suggest a common time of origin for both passages, and possibly a common prophetic circle.
The book consists of short poems of diverse origin, unified by the prediction that Israel's and Edom's national situations will be reversed. In the tradition (Gen. 25.24–26 ), Edom (Esau) was the twin brother of Israel (Jacob); according to Obadiah, Edom has not been his brother's keeper (v. 10 ), and now the LORD will punish Edom.
This latter theme suggests that the book originated shortly after the Babylonian sack of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E., in which the Edomites apparently participated.
