Author: Obadiah (1:1), perhaps a person by that name or an unnamed prophet for whom “Obadiah” (meaning “servant of God”) is a title.
Date: Unclear but probably within thirty years after Babylon’s invasion of Judah in 586 BC.
In Ten Words or Less: Edom will suffer for participating in Jerusalem’s destruction.
Details: Edom was a nation descended from Esau - twin brother of Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. The baby boys had struggled in their mother’s womb (Genesis 25:21-26), and their conflict had continued over the centuries. After Edom took part in the Babylonian ransacking of Jerusalem, Obadiah passed down God’s judgment: “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever” (1:10).
From Know Your Bible, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.