The Book of Obadiah
Obadiah, the shortest Old Testament book — a single chapter of 21 verses — pronounces judgment on Edom for gloating over Jerusalem's fall, and affirms that the kingdom belongs to the LORD.
- Testament
- Old (1 chapters)
- Type
- Minor Prophet
- Author
- Obadiah; nothing else known about the prophet.
- Date
- Probably shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
Pride before the fall
Edom — descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob — sided with Babylon when Jerusalem fell. God's verdict: 'The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee... though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, thence will I bring thee down' (3-4). A standing warning to anyone who congratulates themselves on a neighbor's disaster.
The day of the LORD is for everyone
Verses 15-21 expand the horizon — God's reckoning is not just for Edom but for every nation. The kingdom 'shall be the LORD's' (21). The smallest book in the Old Testament packs a global ending.
Key verses (KJV)
“The kingdom shall be the LORD's.” — Obadiah 1:21 (KJV)
“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee.” — Obadiah 1:3 (KJV)
“As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.” — Obadiah 1:15 (KJV)
How to read Obadiah
Twenty-one verses — read in three minutes. Read after 2 Kings 25 (the fall of Jerusalem) for context, and after Psalm 137 (which curses Edom in raw grief) for emotional resonance.
Read Obadiah on your iPhone
Read the full book of Obadiah in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
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