Bible Dictionary
Obadiah
The Book of Obadiah is the shortest Old Testament book. It announces judgment on Edom for violence against Judah and looks forward to the restoration of Israel and the LORD’s kingdom.
Definition
Obadiah means “servant of the Lord” or “servant of Yahweh.” The name belonged to several Israelites, including Ahab’s steward, a prophet, tribal leaders, Levites, a man who returned with Ezra, and others named in the historical records.
Biblical Usage
Ahab’s steward Obadiah remained faithful to God during spiritual decline and hid one hundred prophets from Jezebel. The prophet Obadiah proclaimed judgment against Edom. Other men named Obadiah served among Israel’s leaders, Levites, temple workers, and returning exiles.
Historical Background
Obadiah was a common Israelite name from the time of David through the close of the Old Testament. The supplied material also mentions an ancient Hebrew seal bearing the inscription “Obadiah the servant of the King.”
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Servant of the Lord. (1.) An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab (1 Kings 18:3). Amid great spiritual degeneracy he maintained his fidelity to God, and interposed to protect The Lord’s prophets, an hundred of whom he hid at great personal risk in a cave (4, 13). Ahab seems to have held Obadiah in great honour, although he had no sympathy with his piety (5, 6, 7). The last notice of him is his bringing back tidings to Ahab that Elijah, whom he had so long sought for, was at hand (9-16). “Go,” said Elijah to him, when he met him in the way, “go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.” (2.) A chief of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chr. 7:3). (3.) A descendant of Saul (1 Chr. 8:38). (4.) A Levite, after the Captivity (1 Chr. 9:16). (5.) A Gadite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:9). (6.) A prince of Zebulun in the time of David (1 Chr. 27:19). (7.) One of the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law (2 Chr. 17:7). (8.) A Levite who superintended the repairs of the temple under Josiah (2 Chr. 34:12). (9.) One who accompanied Ezra on the return from Babylon (Ezra 8:9). (10.) A prophet, fourth of the minor prophets in the Hebrew canon, and fifth in the LXX. He was probably contemporary with Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Of his personal history nothing is known.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(servant of the Lord),
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>o-ba-di'-a (`obhadhyah, more fully `obhadhyahu, "servant of Yahweh"):</p><p>(1) The steward or prime minister of Ahab, who did his best to protect the prophets of Yahweh against Jezebel's persecution. He met Elijah on his return from Zarephath, and bore to Ahab the news of Elijah's reappearance (1Ki 18:3-16).</p><p>(2) The prophet (Ob 1:1).</p><p>See OBADIAH, BOOK OF.</p><p>(3) A descendant of David (1Ch 3:21).</p><p>(4) A chief of the tribe of Issachar (1Ch 7:3).</p><p>(5) A descendant of Saul (1Ch 8:38; 9:44).</p><p>(6) A Levite descended from Jeduthun (1Ch 9:16), identical with Abda (Ne 11:17).</p><p>(7) A chief of the Gadites (1Ch 12:9).</p><p>(8) A Zebulunite, father of the chief Ishmaiah (1Ch 27:19).</p><p>(9) One of the princes sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the law in Judah (2Ch 17:7).</p><p>(10) A Merarite employed by Josiah to oversee the workmen in repairing the temple (2Ch 34:12).</p><p>(11) The head of a family who went up with Ezra from Babylon (Ezr 8:9).</p><p>(12) One of the men who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah (Ne 10:5).</p><p>(13) A gate-keeper in the days of Nehemiah (Ne 12:25).</p><p>The name "Obadiah" was common in Israel from the days of David to the close of the Old Testament. An ancient Hebrew seal bears the inscription "Obadiah the servant of the King."</p><p>John Richard Sampey</p>