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The Book of Obadiah

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, a single chapter pronouncing judgment on Edom for standing by, and even helping plunder, Israel when Jerusalem fell to Babylon. Despite its brevity it carries real theological weight about pride and betrayal. Read Obadiah chapter 1.

Book of Obadiah — Read the Full Chapter

À propos de Abdias

Obadiah is the thirty-first book of the Bible and the fourth Minor Prophet, the shortest book in the entire Old Testament at only 21 verses and 1 chapter. Written by the prophet Obadiah, possibly around 586 BC following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem (though some scholars propose an earlier date), this brief oracle pronounces God's judgment against the nation of Edom -- the descendants of Esau, Israel's twin brother. When Babylon attacked Jerusalem, the Edomites gloated over Judah's disaster, cut off refugees fleeing for their lives, and even handed over survivors to their enemies. This betrayal of brotherly obligation drew God's fierce condemnation. Major themes include the certain judgment of God on pride and betrayal, the principle that how one treats God's people reflects how one treats God Himself, the sinfulness of standing aloof at another's calamity, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers. Key verses include Obadiah 1:3-4 -- The pride of your heart has deceived you...Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down -- and Obadiah 1:15 -- The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Obadiah KJV Bible reading delivers a powerful warning against the sin of pride and the betrayal of covenant relationships. Though brief, Obadiah carries tremendous moral weight. Read the Book of Obadiah online here in full.

Questions Fréquentes

Who wrote Obadiah, and how long is it?
The prophet Obadiah wrote it, possibly around 586 BC following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, though some scholars propose an earlier date. At only 21 verses and 1 chapter, it's the shortest book in the entire Old Testament; read it at Obadiah chapter 1.
Why does Obadiah condemn Edom specifically?
When Babylon attacked Jerusalem, the Edomites -- descendants of Esau, Israel's twin brother -- gloated over Judah's disaster, cut off refugees fleeing for their lives, and even handed survivors over to their enemies, a betrayal of brotherly obligation that drew God's fierce condemnation.
What is the main lesson of Obadiah?
The book establishes that how a nation treats God's people reflects how it treats God himself, and that pride and gloating over another's calamity will themselves be judged -- a theme echoed later in Jeremiah's and Isaiah's oracles against the nations surrounding Judah.
What is the most quoted verse from Obadiah?
Obadiah 1:15 warns that the day of the Lord is near for all nations, and as you have done, it will be done to you -- a principle of reciprocal justice that runs through the whole short book.

Edom's gloating over a kinsman nation's disaster draws one of scripture's clearest statements that how a nation treats God's people will be turned back on itself. Obadiah's brief oracle reads well alongside the longer prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah.