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Obadiah.

Judgment on Edom for gloating over Jerusalem's fall.

Testament

Old Testament

Section

Minor Prophets

Chapters

1

Date

Probably shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Who wrote Obadiah?

Obadiah; only book this short in the OT — one chapter.

Who was it written for?

Judah, and through them Edom — Israel's neighbour and rival.

Structure

  • One chapter of 21 verses against Edom (descendants of Esau).

Key verses

Why Obadiah matters

The shortest book in the Old Testament — 21 verses against Edom for kicking Israel when she was down. The pattern matters more than the specific historical occasion: God notices when nations exploit other nations in their weakest moments. The book's closing line — "the kingdom shall be the LORD's" — is the eschatological consolation under the immediate prophecy.

Related tools

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